What are freckles?
Freckles are small, flat, and circular spots on the skin. They are usually tan, brown, or black and can vary in size. Freckles are typically harmless and do not pose any health risks. However, they can be more noticeable after sun exposure, and some people may wish to minimise their appearance for cosmetic reasons.
There are two main types of freckles:
- Ephelides: small, flat, red, or tan brown spots. They are the most common type of freckle and usually occur in areas of the body exposed to the sun.
- Solar lentigines: larger yellow, red, or tan spots. They are commonly referred to as liver spots or age spots. These freckles usually occur in adults over the age of 40.
What causes freckles?
Freckles are caused by increased production of melanin, the pigment responsible for giving colour to our skin, hair, and eyes. When your skin is exposed to sunlight, it triggers the production of melanin as a natural defence mechanism to protect your skin from harmful UV rays. In some people, this increased melanin production is not distributed evenly across the skin, forming freckles.
If you have fair skin or a genetic predisposition to freckles, you are more likely to develop them. Freckles are common in individuals with lighter skin tones because they have less melanin overall, making any increase in melanin production more noticeable.
What are the symptoms of freckles?
Symptoms of freckles include:
- Small, flat spots on the skin
- Light to dark brown or black spots
- Typically round or oval-shaped
- More common in areas exposed to the sun
- Do not change in size or shape over time
- More noticeable or darkens with sun exposure
Are freckles painful?
Who is at risk of freckles in Singapore?
Anyone can get freckles in Singapore, but certain factors increase an individual’s risk. These risk factors are:
- Light-skinned: individuals with fair skin are more susceptible to developing freckles, especially when exposed to the sun.
- Family history: individuals with a family history of freckles are also more likely to develop them.
- Sun exposure: freckles tend to appear in areas of the skin that are frequently exposed to sunlight, such as the face, arms, and shoulders. Therefore, if you spend a lot of time outdoors or do not use adequate sun protection, you may be at a higher risk of developing freckles.
- Age: individuals above 40 are more prone to developing solar lentigines or age spots.
How are freckles managed in Singapore?
- Lightening creams and skincare priming: topical creams and skincare regimes can help improve overall skin health t.
- In-house care programmes: our in-house care programmes teach patients to care for and prevent future freckles.