There are two type of melanin: pheomelanin and eumelanin. For solar lentigines, the French study also found that several different factors increased the likelihood, including:. All freckles fall into the ephelides and solar lentigines category, although freckles and sun spots can differ.
Solar lentigines include sunspots, which can sometimes be scaly. Moles are not the same as freckles. They are still skin lesions but are often darker and not necessarily associated with sun exposure. Like ephelides though, moles are more common among light-skinned people.
A mole is made of an excess of pigment-forming cells with a greater than average supply of blood vessels. Moles can take on a wide variety of appearances. The color can range from brown to pink and can assume different shapes. Freckles and moles by themselves pose no threat. But moles can suggest an increased risk for melanoma , or malignant skin cancer. Make an appointment with your doctor or a dermatologist if your freckles, moles, or sunspots display one or more of the above criteria.
The risk of melanoma increases with the number of moles. Someone with moles can have a 1. This can be as high as times more for someone with moles or more. In one analysis, the risk of melanoma for white populations was approximately 32 and 20 times higher than people with darker skin. An annual screening is a good idea, if you fall into one of the at-risk categories or develop a new mole.
For people who want to avoid freckles, prevention is key. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends using a water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 on your skin. Wait 15 minutes before heading outdoors for full protection. Do this every day, even in the winter, to prevent further pigmentation. Louis University. One study reported good results for lightening freckles and skin pigmentation with products such as:. You can purchase acid and chemical peels online.
The study above reports Jessner Solution as a potential treatment for freckles. Always patch-test to avoid skin irritation, if you are using a facial peel at home.
Wash off the peel immediately if your skin starts to burn and do not leave on for longer than instructed. Glaser suggests laser therapy to lighten or remove freckles. Freckles generally develop in childhood, adolescence or young adulthood, and they may increase in number and distribution during that time.
In some case, freckles may be confused with another type of skin spot known as solar lentigines — sometimes called age spots. The difference is that solar lentigines are actually caused by frequent and prolonged sun exposure over the course of many years. Freckles, on the other hand, are typically a result of genetics. Freckles often fade or disappear with age, while solar lentigines become more common as people get older.
You can help keep freckles from getting darker, and reduce the likelihood that more will appear, by taking steps to shield your skin from sunlight, especially during the summer months. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor, or SPF, of 30 or higher whenever you are outdoors. Wear sunscreen — even if the sun is not shining, as UV light penetrates through clouds and reflects off water, snow and other surfaces.
Apply sunscreen generously and frequently to all areas of exposed skin, particularly after you have been swimming or sweating. The medical term for these freckles is ephilides. The colour is due to pigment accumulating in the skin cells. As a person ages this type of freckle generally become less noticeable. Apart from sun protection, no particular treatment is required," Dr Galgut explains.
Post continues after gallery. On the other hand, age spots, which are called lentigines, are often darker in colour and are more defined and usually larger than freckles. The most common type are solar lentigines, which are seen in middle age and are from sun damage. Lentigines tend to persist for long periods and don't disappear in the winter though they may fade. They are common in those with fair skin but are also frequently seen in those who tan easily or have naturally dark skin," Dr Galgut explains.
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