Freckles are small, flat, tan or light-brown marks on the skin that are hereditary and result from excessive melanin production, the pigment determining skin and hair colouration. They are entirely benign and emerge on sun-exposed regions such as the face and shoulders.
Why do freckles appear on faces in summer?
UK-based General Practitioner Dr Sermed Mezher explained precisely why freckles emerge and what triggers them. He said: "There are different types of freckles, solo lentigenes, which people develop throughout their lifetime and can be a sign of photo damage of the skin. But the ones that people are generally talking about are the ones in people with lighter skin, red hair, ginger, and those are called effolidies."
"They form as somebody is developing throughout their childhood. Those conventional freckles are also triggered by sun exposure, but why do some people get them and others don't? Well, because of variations in the MC1R melanocortin gene. This variant tends to cause melanin to clump rather than form an even tan, so when exposed - leads to increased freckles that tend to fade throughout the winter months."
The science behind freckle formation
When sunlight hits the body, it stimulates specialized skin cells called melanocytes to produce melanin, the pigment responsible for giving skin, hair, and eyes their color. For many individuals, this melanin is distributed relatively evenly across the skin's surface, acting as a broad microscopic shield that absorbs harmful UV rays and results in a uniform, all-over tan.
However, for people who carry specific variants of the MC1R gene, this natural defense mechanism operates differently. Instead of spreading the pigment out evenly, this genetic variant causes the melanocytes to produce melanin in localized, concentrated bursts, leading the pigment to clump together in tiny clusters. When individuals with this gene variant spend time in the sun, these specific clustered areas darken significantly faster than the surrounding skin, creating the distinct, scattered spots we recognize as freckles.
Can freckles be removed?
While many people adore their freckles and celebrate them during the summer months, others may be seeking ways to reduce their appearance on their skin. The Cleveland Clinic states that freckles cannot be entirely eliminated, but their appearance can be diminished through topical products, laser treatments and cryotherapy. They recommend consulting a dermatologist to explore the most suitable treatment options.
Freckles can also be kept at bay by shielding your skin from sunlight, applying SPF 30 or higher sun cream, wearing a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses, and steering clear of peak UV hours between 10am and 4pm.
