We love freckles, but we must warn you: Any pigmentation associated with the sun can be dangerous.
According to skincancer.org, skin cancer is the most common type, with one in five Americans getting it by the age of 70. Terrible statistics. But it allows us to think that freckles are not a cute feature, but a reason to go to the doctor. But is it always necessary to contact a specialist?
How do freckles appear?
Vitamin D is the main benefit of the sun for our health, but almost the only one. Often our stay in direct light ends up with dozens of small freckles covering our skin.
The appearance of freckles, or scientifically ephelids, is an indicative sign of excessive sun exposure with unprotected skin,
They appear on exposed areas of skin exposed to the sun – face, arms, shoulders and décolleté. Freckles signal that the body is entering a protective mode. When we spend a lot of time in the sun, the skin begins to react: to produce melanin (skin pigment), which is designed to protect the deeper layers of the skin and DNA from UV damage.
Should you be afraid of freckles?
Is there a person here who has not asked this question? We want to reassure you right away: freckles are not necessarily a danger. They should be distinguished from other more important “marks” on the body – moles and age spots.
Under the microscope, freckles have a normal number of pigment-producing cells that produce additional pigment. Unlike freckles, age spots, also known as lentigines, develop later in life as a result of sun exposure. Under a microscope, they have an increased number of pigment-producing cells,
If you have a tendency to freckles (usually people with fair skin suffer from this), do not be surprised if they start to fade as you age. In fact, they do not disappear, but acquire other forms of pigmentation, such as lentigines and moles. This signals sun damage.
How to Control Freckles?
And even though freckles are mostly harmless, this does not mean that you should not monitor them (as, in general, and for other “marks” on the skin). For example, you need to keep your freckles from darkening, which can happen with even mild UV exposure. This suggests that you are fed up with the sun and should urgently apply a product with a high SPF level to your skin.
Keira Barr adds that while freckles themselves do not signal skin cancer, studies have shown that the more freckles people have, the higher their risk of developing the disease.
People with a high density of freckles were found to have a greater risk of developing melanoma than people without freckles.
The takeaway is simple: if you are prone to freckles, keep your finger on the pulse and see a dermatologist on a regular basis, as well as monitor their color and shape.
How to live with freckles?
You may like freckles, especially now, with the popularity of fashion for naturalness, but you must remember that it is not only about looks, but also about health. Freckles indicate that the skin is susceptible to sun damage. Your job is to take proper precautions to prevent them. Develop a sun protection plan and stick to it:
wear a wide-brimmed hat
don’t forget your sunglasses
try to be in the shade
eat anti-inflammatory foods rich in antioxidants
apply SPF 50 sunscreen to your skin
Sun protection is a lifelong project, but well worth the effort!
