The more melanin you have in your skin, the darker your skin color! People with fair skin have less melanin in their skin to begin with, but some of their melanocytes make more melanin when exposed to the sun. So instead of easily getting an even suntan, they sometimes get freckles.
Freckles are small brown spots on your skin, often in areas that get sun exposure. In most cases, freckles are harmless. They form as a result of overproduction of melanin, which is responsible for skin and hair color (pigmentation). Overall, freckles come from ultraviolet (UV) radiation stimulation.
Freckles often show up during childhood, and you may continue to get more until you're in your 20s. People with fair skin or red hair are most likely to have them. There are two types of freckles: ephelides and solar lentigines. Although both are flat spots, they're different in a few ways.
Yes, you need sun for actual, natural freckles. Genetics plays a big part in whether you'll be born with real freckle potential, but you've got to get that sun exposure for those coveted spots to make their appearance.
Although freckles aren't limited exclusively to fair-skinned redheads, it is fair to say that our red-headed friends get the lion's share of freckles – and they only make up 4-5 percent of the total world population. So if you not only have freckles but you're also a natural redhead, then you're pretty special, indeed.
Fun Facts About Freckles
Freckles occur in people with heritage from around the world. Because they're often seen in people with red hair, freckles are commonly associated with Ireland and Scotland, where this hair color is common as well. But anyone can get freckles.
This trait is reportedly due to a single gene; the presence of freckles is dominant, the absence of freckles is recessive1. Early geneticists reported that curly hair was dominant and straight hair was recessive.
Freckles are not harmful or the sign of a health problem. They're just pigment cells (cells that contain color) that are contained within the skin in small batches. Freckles are usually tan or light brown, flat, and very small. Sometimes they overlap and run together so they may look larger.
Freckles can definitely be cute. Imagine that cute little red-headed girl with the smattering of freckles dotting her facial features. As more and more women are putting their makeup down and hiding their concealer and foundation, they're being celebrated for their own natural uniqueness.
One of the ways that freckles are differentiated from moles is that they're not growths, so they cannot be cut off. The only effective way to fade and/or remove freckles is to stay out of the sun, or to pursue freckle-removal technology.
Increased melanin is also behind your sun tan — as well as your sunburn. If you have the necessary genetic predisposition, exposure to the sun will bring freckles out on your skin. Freckles are most likely to appear on areas of your body that get the most sun exposure, like your face, arms, neck, back, and upper chest.
With repeated sun exposure over years, the skin cells start to produce melanin, forming the sun spots. Additionally, the lifespan of freckles and sun spots is different. Freckles typically fade away with age and even seasons whereas sun spots tend to stick around longer.
The average age that children develop freckles is between two and four years old. “As kids get older, they start walking [on their own], doing more activities outdoors, and naturally have more sunlight exposure,” Teng tells Yahoo Parenting.
Buttermilk: Buttermilk is yet another kitchen regular that aids in reducing freckles. It also leaves our skin supple and hydrated. To use buttermilk for your freckles, make a thick paste out of it by using oatmeal. Mix these two ingredients together and apply it on your face and leave for 15 minutes.
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.
The Cost. "Freckle tattoos can cost as little as $80 for a couple of beauty marks, to around $250 or more for a bit more facial coverage. Costs will be dependent on the amount of freckles desired, as well as your artist's level of experience," Otsuji explains.
If you were a kid with freckles your parents probably told you that every one was a kiss from an angel. Unfortunately, that's not the case. Freckles are small areas of the skin which contain higher amounts of melanin. Melanin is the pigment protein that's responsible for our eye, skin and hair color.
Models with freckles may be concerned that opportunities in the industry may be slim. However, the reality is very different with the facial markings to be viewed as a sign of beauty and featuring the freckled faces on the front of fashion and beauty campaigns.
So, can people with freckles tan? Yes, certain people with freckles can get tanned in the sun though it's a good idea if the sun is strong or if more time is spent tanning to wear a lotion with SPF.
Freckles are caused by two things - the sun and genes. So unless you've been living in a cave your whole life, you must have a different set of genes than your other relatives do. Your parents, aunts, uncles, and brother have freckles because they carry a gene for them.
Freckles tend to run in families. People (especially kids) who have fair complexions are most likely to freckle.
The more melanin you have in your skin, the easier it is to get a tan. People with fair complexions have less melanin in their skin to start with. When sunlight causes their melanocytes to make more melanin, they often develop freckles instead of getting an even suntan like people with darker complexions.
Sometimes, acne can damage the skin tissue and cause it to become discolored, creating what looks like dark freckles or spots. These discolored scars can typically be treated with laser treatments or even prescription strength topical retinoid creams.