3 minute read
freckles, also known as ephelides , are small clusters of pigment within the skin. they are almost always harmless and not a sign of any underlying health conditions. freckles are usually spread across the middle of the face, are less than five millimetres in diameter and are more common in younger people as they tend to fade as we age. they can also develop due to genetics and through exposure to the sun and ultraviolet light.
according to the cleveland clinic , people with lighter or fair skin are more likely to develop freckles as the scarce melanin in paler skin is more concentrated to some skin cells (the freckles) than others. so instead of getting an even tan, the sun causes the freckles to darken while much of the other skin stays pale — or burns. freckles can be tan, light brown, red, dark brown or black, but they are always darker than the person’s skin colour.
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according to the skin cancer foundation , melanomas can appear anywhere on the body — even places where the sun doesn’t shine — but are most common on women’s legs and men’s torsos. the foundation recommends using the ‘ugly duckling’ method to detect when a mole my have developed into a melanoma: “this recognition strategy is based on the concept that most normal moles on your body resemble one another, while melanomas stand out like ugly ducklings in comparison,” the organization’s website reads. “these ugly duckling lesions or outlier lesions can be larger, smaller, lighter or darker, compared to surrounding moles.”
it’s also important o know that moles are not exclusive to people with pale skin — anyone can have moles that develop into melanoma. the mayo clinic recommends monthly checks for moles in every area of your body.
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sun spots are typically a bit larger than freckles and can be found on the hands, feet, shoulders, arms, back and face. sun spots form under similar circumstances to freckles (exposure to sunlight develops melanin in the cells) except sun spots tend to form as we age, as opposed to freckles which fade away as we get older. they also sometimes disappear if you avoid the sun, and they can be removed for aesthetic purposes through laser therapy, chemical peels and other topical treatments. and like freckles, sun spots are mostly harmless, but they should be monitored over time for changes in colour, shape or size.
nick beare is a writer with healthing.ca .
