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What are freckles
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Freckles are small coloured spots
of melanin on the skin or membrane of people with complexions fair
enough for them to be visible. Freckles vary in colour they may be red,
yellow, tan, light-brown, brown, or black.
Having freckles is genetic and is related to the presence of the
melanocortin-1 receptor MC1R gene variant, which is dominant. Freckling
can also be triggered by long exposure to sunlight, such as sun tanning.
When the sun’s rays penetrate the skin, they activate melanocytes which
can cause freckles to become darker and more numerous. Fair skin and
hair such as blonde, or more often red hair, are very often have the
genetic factor of freckles.
Freckles are predominantly found on the face, although they may appear
on any skin exposed to the sun. Upon sun exposure freckles can reappear
even if they have been treated with creams or lasers if not protected
from the sun, but do however fade with age in some cases.
People with a predisposition to
freckles may be especially susceptible to sunburn and skin cancer, and
should therefore take extra care to protect themselves in the sun with a
daily sunblock
Children who do not produce enough melanin to protect their skin against
sun rays can develop temporary freckles associated with childhood that
usually go away upon puberty, once more melanin is produced. People with
the fairest skin often do not produce enough melanin, and so freckles
are present after puberty and into adulthood, indicating that individual
has a genetic disposition for freckles.
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Types of Freckles
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There are two basic types of
freckles ephelides and lentigines:
Ephelides
This term refers to flat spots that are red or light-brown and normally
appear during the summer and fade in the winter. They are often found in
people with light skin. The use of sunscreens during sun exposure helps
to suppress the appearance of this type of freckle.
Lentigines
Children may develop a small tan, brown, or black spot which tends to be
darker than the Ephelides freckle and does not fade in winter. This kind
of spot is referred to as lentigo simplex. Sometimes lentigines are part
of a rare genetic syndrome, but normally they are just the odd spot. The
lentigines that develop in adults are often called liver spots or age
spots. Sometimes people who have these lentigo-type freckles also
have raised, brown, crusty lesions called seborrheic keratoses.
Seborrheic dermatoses are also benign (not malignant) growths of the
skin.
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Freckle Prevention
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Most people would rather
not develop freckles or if they have freckles they would like to get rid
them. On the other hand true freckles are harmless and some people may
consider them cute.
If you have a hereditary tendency to freckle you should wear sunscreen
and minimize their sun exposure. To suppress production of freckles and
reduce their risk of developing skin cancer.
Freckles are a warning to people who have them that their skin is highly
vulnerable to sunburn and to skin cancer.
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Freckle
Treatment
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There are several safe
and effective methods are available to treat existing freckles.
Bleaching creams
Products containing kojic acid can be purchased. These products can
lighten freckles if they are applied consistently over a period of
several months.
Retinol A
also helps to make freckles lighter when applied over a period of time.
Cryosurgery
A light freeze with liquid nitrogen can be used to treat freckles.
Laser treatment Several lasers, especially ones
that produce a green light, can lighten and eliminate freckles safely
and effectively.
Chemical Peel Also very
effective at fading freckles see
chemical peel
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medi-spa
treatment
and home care 
SeSDERMA