freckles

Freckles.

Causes and Treatments

Freckles are circular, tiny brownish spots found on your skin, often on the face, but can be found on the chest, neck and arms. Freckles are highly common and are not considered a health threat.  Exposure to UV radiations and genetics are primary causes of freckles, but can vary from person to person.

Overproduction of melanin, a pigment responsible for hair and skin colour, results in the formation of freckles on your skin. Freckles are more often seen in summer, especially among light skinned and light or red hair people. Freckles are common in children but it may disappear or become less noticeable as they grow up.

Types of freckles:

Freckles are of two basic types, ephelides and lentigines. Both types of freckles can look similar but differ in their ways of development. Ephelides are flat, tiny, tan-coloured spots that typically appear during the sunny months. People, who are light skinned, or have reddish hair and green eyes, are more vulnerable to Ephelides.  These are the more superficial ones we treat.

On the other hand, lentigines are isolated, darker and larger pigmented spots, commonly present at the areas of the previous sunburn. The other name for lentigines is ‘liver spots’ or ‘sun spots’. Occasionally, lentigines are associated with a rare genetic syndrome.

Causes of freckles (Ephelides):

Major predisposing factors to the development of freckles are genetics and exposure to UV radiations from the Sun. When you absorb harmful radiation from the sun, melanin production is increased in your body.

freckles on light skin

People with red or blond hair, fair skin and light-colored eyes are more likely to have alleles of the MC1R gene responsible for making these people more vulnerable to harmful UV radiations.

Treatment of freckles (Ephelides):

Since freckles are not a hazard to health, freckles prevention is more effective and in fact easier than freckle removal. Treatment is rarely needed, especially as freckles tend to recur. For this reason, we stress the use of an excellent sunscreen to help filter out excessive radiation that would result in darkening and return of your freckles.

Freckles tend to return with sun exposure.

If you do wish to fade your freckles, Melanopeel® offers pigmentation correction options that can help. Treatments are safe, but there is a need for a combination therapy to obtain desirable results. It should be noted that repeated UV exposure will cause freckles to reappear. Our effective skin care includes active ingredients capable of reducing freckles,

These include mandelic acid, hydroquinone, kojic acid, alpha arbutin, azelaic acid, retinol, vitamin C, niacinamide, tranexamic acid and lactic acid. Don’t forget your sun protection!

Read more about our skin lighteners:

You should always take preventive measures in order to lessen the chances of getting freckles. Using sunscreens, a wide-brimmed hat, avoiding peak sun hours and protective clothing can increase your chances of being protected from harmful UV radiations and ultimately from freckles. Our sunscreens:

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