Freckles are small spots that form on areas of the body that are exposed to the sun. These spots are mostly circular and flat, and have coloring of brown, black, red, or yellow. In Rock Hill, South Carolina, freckles mostly affect people with light skin and those with red hair. You can get freckles when you are as young as one year old. Most people with freckles do not require any treatment, but if you want to have your freckles removed, there is a wide variety of available treatment methods.
Freckles are harmless and they are not contagious. It is important to be aware that not every dark spot on your skin is a freckle. If you live in Rock Hill, hyperpigmentation may be a reason to see a specialist who will rule out other causes. When the doctor examines you, they will come up with a definitive diagnosis and advise you on the best management for your condition.
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What Causes Hyperpigmentation?
The exact cause of freckles is unknown but it is reported that having a genetic predisposition to freckles contributes to the etiology of freckles. Some studies have shown that some genes like MC1R, ASIP, and IRF4 play a role in the development of freckles. Identical twins who have freckles have almost the same numbers of freckles showing that a genetic predisposition is one of the risk factors of freckles.
Freckles occur when the amount of a substance called melatonin which is responsible for the color of your skin. Exposure to UV rays also contributes to the causation of freckles. This is because when these UV rays are absorbed in the skin, they contribute to the production of more melanin by the melanocytes in the skin. Freckles are rarely found in people with a dark complexion but they are more common in people with red hair, green eyes, and a lighter complexion.
Are Freckles Cancerous?
Most times, freckles are benign. However, a small fraction of freckles may be malignant. This type of skin cancer is called Hutchinson freckle or lentigo maligna melanoma and is very rare. Most times this cancer affects elderly persons who have had prolonged exposure to sun rays. The growth occurs superficially on the face and if it is not treated, it may become very aggressive.
How Can You Prevent Freckles?
For the people who have a genetic predisposition to freckles, it may be hard to prevent the occurrence of these spots, but there are ways to avoid worsening of freckles. Some of these ways include avoiding direct sun exposure, especially when the sun is at a peak from 10 am to 4 pm. You can also prevent direct sun exposure by applying sunscreen on your skin.
If you have to go out in the sun, you can cover your skin from direct sun exposure using long-sleeved shirts and wide hats. If you have sensitive skin that develops most freckles at a very young age, it is important to be aggressive in your skincare and protection from UV rays.
In conclusion, freckles are small circular spots that mostly occur on the face and other areas of the body that are exposed to direct sunlight. Freckles can be brown, black, red, or beige and they mostly occur in people with a fair complexion. Some people have a genetic predisposition to freckles. You can protect your skin by avoiding direct sun exposure or by wearing long-sleeved clothes, hats, and sunscreen.