Freckles, what are they, and what do they reveal about your skin? – Most people’s skin changes with the seasons: some notice more dryness during the winter, others notice redness when spring arrives, and others develop freckles in the summer. Although many products are formulated to treat dryness and redness of the skin, there are not many options to prevent the appearance of new freckles.
Freckles cannot eliminated, but we can understand why they appear. Therefore, the time has come to research the causes of freckles and answer some of the most regularly asked questions. Find out the whole thing you necessity to know about freckles!
What are freckles?
Although most people think they are harmless spots that appear on the skin during the summer, freckles have been the subject of extensive scientific research. Known as “opheliids” in the medical community, freckles are small pigmented spots that appear on the skin.
However, freckles do not appear randomly. They can originate anywhere on the body, but they usually appear on the areas most bare to the sun, such as the face, arms, hands, neck, and legs. Like most sun-related skin problems, fair-skinned people, especially those with blond or red hair, are more likely to be affected.
A study published in the journal Pigment Cell & Melanoma Research found that freckles diminish with age and are more common in women. This research also confirmed that freckles more visible after exposure to the sun, which explains why they associated with the arrival of summer.
Why do freckles appear?
No matter how hard you try to avoid freckles, those seasonal spots will dust your shoulders because they are genetic in origin. That means some people will have freckles and others will not, even if they have identical skin or have spent the same amount of time in the sun. Researchers have found its origin in the “freckle gene”. A report published in the journal Human Molecular Genetics confirmed that the presence of the melanocortin-1 receptor gene, also known as MC1R, and its variants are the primary genetic reason why some people develop freckles.
Are freckles cause for alarm?
There’s no reason to alarmed, but there are a few essential things to keep in mind for people who are more prone to. For instance, while most are benign, the MC1R gene has also been related to an increased risk of developing skin cancer. According to a study published in the Periodical of Investigative Dermatology, carriers of the MC1R gene are more sensitive to the sun and regularly show changes in skin pigmentation. Both factors make carriers of this gene more susceptible to developing melanoma.
Using the Fitzpatrick scale, the cited study found that 75% of people who burn easily in the sun and do not tan have melanoma mutations, and 55% of those who burn easily do not tan and have. , usually redheads, experience melanoma mutations throughout their lives.
Due to the high incidence of melanoma cases in people who burn easily and have, it is advisable to discuss this issue with a dermatologist and monitor irregular pigmentation.
How can you protect your skin?
Being aware of all this is key to preventing skin cancer! If you have, you are sensitive to the sun and should take extreme precautions.
As you can guess, the best strategy to protect yourself to limit the time you exposed to the sun. In addition to wearing clothing that covers your skin, it’s essential to use a broad-spectrum SPF lotion year-round, especially on unprotected parts from direct sunlight.
