Freckles
Freckles vary in size and usually appear on the face, hands, shoulders and arms — areas most exposed to the sun. Freckles can occur at any age from toddlers to adults.
Symptoms
Freckles are flat, oval areas of increased pigmentation — usually brown or black; they typically develop in people with a fair complexion but can be seen even in those with darker skin. Freckles occur on skin that has had the most sun exposure over the years, such as the backs of hands, tops of feet, face, shoulders and upper back.
Freckles size range from pin point to more than a centimeter across and can group together, making them more prominent.
Causes
Ultraviolet (UV) light accelerates the production of melanin. Melanin is the dark pigment in the epidermis that gives your skin its normal color. The extra melanin which is produced to protect the deeper layers of your skin creates the darker color of a tan. Freckles develop when the extra melanin becomes "clumped" or is produced in higher concentrations than normal.
Most often, it takes years of sun exposure for these dark spots to occur, they typically develop very slowly over time. Using commercial tanning lamps and tanning beds can eventually result in the same changes.
In addition to sun exposure, simply growing older can cause the extra production of melanin and subsequent freckles. Genetics also plays a role in how susceptible you are to the development of freckles.
When to seek medical advice
You may not like the way they look, but freckles are usually harmless and don't require medical care. However, your doctor should evaluate spots that are dark or have changed appearance because these can be signs of melanoma, a serious form of skin cancer.
It's best to have any new skin changes evaluated by a doctor, especially if a spot or lesion:
- Is darkly pigmented
- Is rapidly increasing in size
- Has an irregular border
- Has an unusual combination of colors
