Freckles are cute, if they are really freckles....

Freckles are cute! That’s a statement almost all of us have heard or said at some point in our lives. How much do you really know about freckles and when you should be concerned? The staff at here at The SPF Store (Sun Protective Factory) are dedicated to bringing awareness to some of the most easily overlooked signs of  skin cancer, melanoma, carcinoma, XP (Xeroderma Pigmentosum) and many other skin disorders. Having freckles does not mean you have a skin disorder, however what you think could be a freckle, might be a sign of a serious skin disorder. We’re here to help you know the difference.

Ephelides Freckles
Photo Credit Graur Codrin

Let’s start from the beginning. Freckles can be the result of having lower amounts of Melanin in the skin, which is a chemical compound that is made by our skin cells. It acts as the body’s natural defense against the sun’s harmful rays. People who have darker complexions and tan easier have a greater amount of Melanin. It actually reflects and absorbs UV Rays from the sun. Thus, if you have less melanin, you will have a lighter complexion and most likely freckles. Having freckles, is usually an inherited trait, which can also affect darker skin types as well, but is less frequent.

What do freckles look like? There are two kinds of freckles, Ephelides (pictured above) which is mostly found on people who have light complexions. They are brown in color and can vary in shade. They are usually grouped together and can sometimes appear larger if they overlap each other. Those with freckles will notice that their freckles may fade in the winter and get darker in the summer. This is because our skin pigment (a result of Melanin in the skin cells) is made up of skin cells called Melanocytes. During the summer, when there is more sun exposure, the Melanin is diffused into surrounding skin cells called Keratinocytes. Thus, the freckles darken during the summer months and fade in the winter when less Melanin is produced in the skin cells. 

The second type of freckle are  Lentigines, often referred to as “Sunburn Freckles”. They are often darker, are irregularly shaped, and are generally larger. They usually do not fade in the winter like Ephelides. Generally, they are a hereditary factor and nothing to worry about, unless they appear suddenly.

So, what if it isn’t a freckle and how do you know? This is the important part, because skin disorders can easily be mistaken for a freckle or freckles! Here are some tips to look for when identifying possible skin disorders that can be mistaken for freckles.

• An irregularly shaped brown spot with more than one color. 
• Brown marks that are scaly to the touch. 
• Brown marks that are indented or proliferated on the skin. 
• Pinkish marks that may have a reddish pigment, may be mistaken for a light freckle. 
• brown spot that bleeds easily. 
• Brown or dark spot, irregularly shaped that may be painful to touch. 
• Irregularly shaped brown spots that do not fade during months of less sun exposure.

Indented skin with more than
one pigment color.

Irregularly shaped with more
than one color

Reddish brown irregularly
shaped and proliferated.

To the left, we have included some medical photo's that will help you to be able to identify the difference between a freckle and a possible warning sign of skin disease or cancer. It is imperative that you inspect your skin and get to know your freckles, markings and moles on your body. The first sign of change to moles and freckles can be your first line of prevention and defense.

If you are ever in doubt, the best thing you can do is see your doctor or dermatologist. Skin disorders and concerns can be very difficult to describe over the phone or via an email to your doctor’s office. Sure, it could be something simple and nothing to worry about, however early detection of any skin disorder is important. Your skin protects your body, so you need to protect your skin! 

Don't forget that your first line of defense is protecting your skin. SPF has an apparel line that offers 40-50+ UPF protection against the sun's harmful rays. We are also home to THE ONLY 100% Cotton t-shirt recommended by The Skin Cancer Foundation. We manufacture our own fabrics which allows us to offer you sun protective clothes for under $20, only at www.spfstore.com


Article written by: Julia White