And can you really have matching freckles with your bestie? These little specks on your skin are usually harmless and most commonly start to appear on children and teens. Freckles can clue you in about how your skin has reacted to sun, age and even your genetics. Who knew? Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission.
We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Here dermatologist, Melissa Piliang, MD , offers some truths about naturally occurring freckles. A: When your skin is exposed to the sun, your body responds by making melanin pigment. With a freckle AKA an ephelides , the body makes melanin pigment, but it makes a little too much in one area — resulting in a freckle!
In other words, freckles are triggered by the sun, but it depends on the type and amount of melanin levels in your skin. People with blonde or red hair and fair skin tend to have melanin that makes them more prone to getting freckles. A: Nope! Most people with freckles usually start to see them come out around age 2 or 3 and continue into young adulthood. Freckles are from the sun — almost like a modified tan. Freckles are usually tan or light brown, flat, and very small.
Sometimes they overlap and run together so they may look larger. Being outside in the sun may help cause freckles or make them darker. Who's most likely to have freckles? People, especially kids, who have fair complexions that means their skin and eyes are light in color.
People with light complexions have less melanin say: MEL-uh-nun in their skin. Melanin is a chemical produced by certain skin cells called melanocytes ; it helps protect the skin from sun damage by reflecting and absorbing ultraviolet UV rays. 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.
A chemical peel uses a chemical solution to exfoliate and peel off areas of damaged skin. Once damaged skin is removed, new skin is generated. According to the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery , moderate skin peels take up to two weeks to heal. There are several natural remedies people swear by to get rid of freckles. None are scientifically proven.
Still, most are unlikely to cause harm when used in moderation. Lemon juice: Apply lemon juice directly to your skin with a cotton ball, and then wash it off. Lemon juice is thought to lighten skin. Honey: Combine honey with salt or sugar to make a scrub. Honey may help lighten pigmentation.
Buttermilk: Apply buttermilk directly to your skin. You should leave it on for 10 minutes before rinsing it off with warm water. You can also create a mask by combining buttermilk with oatmeal. Buttermilk has lactic acid, which could potentially help lighten your freckles. Sour cream: Apply sour cream directly to your skin, and then wash it off after a few minutes. Like buttermilk, sour cream contains lactic acid. Yogurt: Apply yogurt directly to your skin and leave it on for a few minutes.
Yogurt also contains lactic acid. Onion: Rub the onion over your skin, and then rinse your skin in warm water. Onion can act as an exfoliate and may help lighten spots. Your skin contains cells called melanocytes that produce the pigment melanin. Sun exposure encourages melanocytes to produce more melanin. Most people with large numbers of freckles have fair skin, although anyone can get them.
Even though fair-skinned people normally produce less melanin than those with darker skin, their melanocytes produce more melanin during sun exposure. Some freckles are in it for the long haul. Others are most prominent in the summer due to increased sun exposure, but will fade during winter or by avoiding direct sunlight.
Freckles that are hereditary may diminish as you age. Freckles caused by sun damage tend to increase with age. Freckles are noncancerous, but they may be confused with skin cancer.
Excessive sun exposure is a risk factor for both freckles and melanomas. Melanoma is more common in people with fair skin or freckles than in those with dark skin. If you notice changes in size, color, or shape of a freckle, see your doctor or dermatologist. Learn more: Skin cancer symptoms ». Freckles are common and benign, yet many people want to get rid of them for cosmetic reasons.
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