Freckles are an inherited feature and although not considered sun damage, they do occur as a result of sun exposure. Freckles are typically first noticed on children, especially those with fair skin and red hair. When UV rays hit your skin, freckles develop from an increase in dark pigments called melanin.
Sunspots tend to be much larger than freckles – up to two centimetres – and appear in key sun-slathered areas like the face, shoulders, arms and backs of the hands. Young people rarely have sunspots, as they're a development primarily associated with sun exposure and age.
As exposure to the sun mainly causes freckles, the best way to prevent them is to protect your skin from sunlight. Always apply a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen, with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher, to all exposed skin before going outside.
You can blame that pesky MC1R gene. When your skin is exposed to UVB radiation in sunlight, specialised cells called melanocytes produce the dark pigment melanin to protect the skin.
Which deficiency causes freckles? Freckles (ephelides) are genetic, and what we sometimes call age spots (solar lentigines) result from sun exposure. However, hyperpigmentation (spots on your skin that are darker than others) can be a sign that you're not getting enough vitamin B12.
The deficiency of vitamin B12 can cause specific skin manifestations, such as hyperpigmentation, vitiligo, angular stomatitis, and hair and nail changes [1].
Freckles can appear on all types of skin tones. Of the six Fitzpatrick skin types, they are most common on skin tones 1 and 2, which usually belong to North Europeans. However, it can also be found on people all over the world.
According to the Fitzpatrick sun-reactive skin types, the first three types are more vulnerable to the sun's rays and premature skin ageing. That means people with white, freckled, and even olive skin, or blonde and red hair, or blue and green eyes need to start wearing sunscreen more regularly.
They signify uniqueness, add charm to your appearance, and can even serve as a natural fashion accessory. So, if you've been blessed with a smattering of these delightful specks, it's time to embrace them. After all, your freckles make you who you are—unique, beautiful, and absolutely remarkable.
While you can't stop freckles, by staying out of the sun and using sun cream your skin will have more protection which means less melanin will be produced and your skin may produce fewer freckles.
UV exposure not only ages your skin more quickly than it naturally would, but can also increase your risk for skin cancer. Photoaging is also called sun damage, solar damage, dermatoheliosis and photodamage.
While medical professionals cannot reverse the effects of sun damage entirely, there are treatments that can help with collagen production, skin turnover, improvements in the appearance of dark spots and more. These include: Topical treatments containing retinol. Chemical peels.
Signs of photodamage begin in the teens to early twenties. Symptoms include the following: Wrinkling. Pigmentation changes such as age spots, liver spots (solar lentigines) and freckles.
In your 40s, your ageing skin can become drier, making lines and wrinkles more pronounced. You continue to lose subcutaneous fat, but not equally from all areas. Fat pads around the cheeks and above the mouth are generally the first to go, followed by fat from around the sides of the mouth, chin and jawline.
Genetics and sun exposure are the primary causes of freckles. They can appear similar to some types of skin cancer. A person should seek medical advice about any changes to freckles. Some people are more likely to get freckles than others, depending on their genes and skin type.
What is the most effective treatment for freckles? Laser treatment is often considered the most effective for freckle removal, as it directly targets the pigment in the skin's layers. Chemical peels and topical creams are also effective, especially for lighter freckles or dark patches.
Fair skin tends to burn more easily because it contains less melanin, which is the pigment responsible for tanning. If you have freckles, your skin produces melanin in small, concentrated patches, which means your overall ability to tan evenly can be more challenging.
A number of popular Black creatives such as Sade, SZA, and Rashida Jones, show off their freckles with pride. A simple Google search will yield even more examples of Black women and men sporting this attractive trait. You'll see freckles across people of all skin tones, and how they look varies greatly.
If vitamin B12 deficiency is left untreated, it can cause lasting side effects that affect the nervous system and brain. More severe side effects of vitamin B12 deficiency include: Peripheral neuropathy. Degeneration of the spinal cord.
Puffy eyes can sometimes be linked to deficiencies in vitamins, especially Vitamin K and Vitamin C, as well as iron. Ensuring a balanced diet with these nutrients can help.