What Causes Freckles? When You Should Worry About Summer Spots

Freckles are not just for Weasleys, Lohans, and other pale-skinned, red-headed types. Although they are more common in Caucasians, you can get freckles if you’re brown-skinned or morena. Read on for more information on what causes freckles and when you should visit your doctor.

Freckles are those brown spots that appear on your face, the tops of your arms and hands, and sometimes the chest. They are sometimes called sunspots or age spots. While freckles are more common in fair-skinned adults, you can develop them even if you’re medium- or dark-toned.

An overproduction of melanin due to excessive or accrued sun exposure causes freckles. When exposed to ultraviolet light, melanocytes in the skin produce melanin, giving it its color. You get a tan when you stay under the sun because it's the skin’s way of protecting itself. Freckles happen when melanin clumps or is produced in unusually high concentrations.

Freckles on the face are usually uniform in size and color. The color varies depending on your skin tone. They can be red, light brown, dark brown, tan, or black, but always darker than your natural skin color. 

The consensus among the cool kids is that freckles are cute and not something to be ashamed of or erased. Some women even undergo cosmetic procedures that give them permanent freckles, like tattoos, while others draw them on with eyebrow liner when they do their makeup.

All of these are fine since they’re not trying to get freckles from staying under the sun or using a tanning bed. It is bad for the skin and can lead to disastrous results, including dryness and premature aging.

There are some options if you are interested in getting rid of them. One is wearing sunscreen such as POND'S UV Bright Sunscreen. Sunscreen protects the skin from UV rays and prevents excessive melanin production. It will keep new spots from forming as the existing ones naturally fade.

Another option is to use chemical peels like AHAs to exfoliate the skin and encourage the formation of new cells. You could also use topical creams such as POND'S Bright Serum Day Cream for the face and Vaseline Healthy Bright Fresh & Bright Cooling Body Lotion for the body. Both contain brightening niacinamide which can help minimize the appearance of dark spots. The latter also instantly cools the skin to –4C, making it perfect for the summer.

Getting to know what causes freckles and how to address them is not enough. When it comes to sunspots, keeping them under keen observation is key. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, any spot that’s larger than the diameter of a pencil eraser or irregular in shape should be checked by a dermatologist. Otherwise, most of them are harmless and will fade on their own.