What Is Causing My Freckles And Can They Be Removed?

Freckles are brown-pigmented spots that occur mainly on the face but can also appear on other parts of the body. They result from an overproduction of melanin triggered in response to sun exposure. But not everyone who spends time in the sun will develop freckles – so what exactly causes freckles?

Freckles are caused by exposure to the sun

The primary answer is that the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays trigger the body to develop freckles. During prolonged exposure to the sun, the body seeks to protect the skin from sun damage. One way is to produce more melanin (the pigment that gives skin its colour), which can lead to the formation of freckles. Melanin serves a protective function against UV rays from the sun by absorbing and reflecting the light rays.

There is a genetic component to freckles

Freckles run in the family – so if your parents or grandparents have a history of freckles, you are more likely to develop freckles. Part of this is also related to skin tone. Light-skinned people tend to be more prone to freckles since they originally have less melanin, and so the body ends up overproducing melanin¹. However, not all people with fair skin have the genes for producing freckles, and their bodies may react in other ways (e.g. becoming tan) under prolonged sun exposure.

Some illnesses can cause freckles

While some people are genetically predisposed to having freckles, certain illnesses can also make someone more likely to have freckles. Xeroderma pigmentosum is a condition in which a person is extremely sensitive to sunlight, and their bodies cannot repair sun damage by itself². One characteristic of persons with xeroderma pigmentosum is having many freckles on the body, some of which may develop into larger, darker spots over time.

Can freckles be removed?

Freckles in and of themselves are not harmful to one’s health, so there is no medical need to remove them. However, some people may not like how it looks on their own bodies or face and wish to have them removed. While there are no known ways to completely remove or prevent freckles from forming, some treatments can be done to lighten the appearance of dark spots.

Some compounds that may help with lightening freckles are alpha hydroxy acids, azelaic acid, vitamin C, retinoids, hydroquinone, and cysteamine³. These ingredients can be found in topical medications like creams or ointments.

You are likely to find some of these ingredients available in a chemical peel form at a dermatology clinic. Otherwise, you can also consider procedures like cryotherapy or laser therapy. The former uses liquid nitrogen to freeze spots on the skin, after which the skin will shed off, and new skin will grow out. Laser therapy uses specific light wavelengths to precisely remove layers of skin with pigmentation and promote new skin growth. You may find laser treatments under various brand names, such as picoway or picosure laser in Singapore.

Conclusion

Freckles are usually not a cause for worry, and most people can manage the development of new freckles with appropriate sun protection strategies. If the appearance of freckles bothers you, come and speak to us here at Angeline Yong Dermatology for a personalised consultation, where Dr Yong will guide you in assessing your skin health and recommending suitable treatment options for lightening the freckles.

Abnormal changes to your freckles, such as patches that are growing larger, developing into raised bumps or papules, or changing colour, may signal a more serious health concern. Do visit a skin clinic for a skin cancer screening in Singapore if you notice such changes occurring.

References

Weingus, L. (2022, November 16). When you should worry about freckles, according to Dermatologists. Byrdie. Retrieved April 13, 2023, from https://www.byrdie.com/freckles-sun-damage-4690451

Xeroderma pigmentosum: Rare disease causes an extreme sensitivity to sunlight. American Academy of Dermatology. (n.d.). Retrieved April 13, 2023, from https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/xeroderma-pigmentosum-sensitivity-to-sunlight

Mradula, P. R., & Sacchidanand, S. (2012). A split-face comparative study of 70% trichloroacetic acid and 80% phenol spot peel in the treatment of freckles. Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery, 5(4), 261–265. https://doi.org/10.4103/0974-2077.104914

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What Is Causing My Freckles And Can They Be Removed?