Freckles vary in color from red, light brown, brown, tan, yellow, or black. They are more prominent in summer and among people with lighter skin or with light or red hair. Women and men have freckles at a comparable rate.

  1. Causes – The main cause of the development of freckles is the exposure of the skin to the sun. Freckles often fade when skin exposure is reduced or eliminated. Melanin is a broad term for a group of natural pigments found in the skin. The accumulation of melanin in one place usually results in a freckle. Also, genetic factors and hormonal abnormalities can lead to freckles.

  2. Signs and symptoms – Freckles are solitary, irregular spots that can sometimes clump together. This makes freckles appear larger and cover more of the skin. They are found in common among freckles, age spots, and pregnancy mask that form on sun-exposed areas of the face, hands, chest, and back. The accumulation of melanin, the pigment of the skin, produces these pleasant brown spots.

  3. Types – there are two types of freckles:
  • Ephelides – is a term that refers to flat spots that are red or light brown in color, appear during the summer months and fade in the winter.

  • Lentigos – These are usually developed by children with the beginning of a small, tan, brown or black spot that tends to be darker than an efelis type freckle and usually does not fade in the winter.
  1. Treatment – there are several effective treatments for freckles:
  • Whitening creams – The most beneficial treatment for lightning freckles is the constant application of hydroquinone and kojic acid over a period of time. Vitamin A, when applied over a period of time, will lighten freckles.

  • Chemical peels – They are used to remove age spots, freckles, discolorations, fine lines and wrinkles by smoothing and firming the skin, gradually healing freckles.

  • Cryosurgery – it is a light freezing with liquid nitrogen.

  • Laser removal -the laser projects an intense light on the affected area causing the light to be absorbed by oxyhemoglobin and melanin, destroying the darkest cells, leaving healthy cells intact. This is the most effective method to remove freckles. A new form of facial revitalization is intense pulsed light therapy (IPL). IPL provides intensity to the superficial (epidermis) and deep (dermis) layers of the skin. Therefore, damage to the epidermis is denied and there is practically no recovery time.

Knowing the facts about freckles, what causes them, the types, and the various treatments available is for informational purposes. Consult a medical professional before beginning any treatment plan or if you develop any unusual skin irritation.