What Are Freckles? Plus, When to See Your Doctor (2023)

FAQs

When should I see a doctor about a freckle? ›

A mole or freckle should be checked if it has a diameter of more than a pencil eraser or any characteristics of the ABCDEs of melanoma (see below). Dysplastic nevi are moles that are generally larger than average (larger than a pencil eraser) and irregular in shape.

Freckles are extremely common and aren't a health threat. They're more often seen in the summer. You're more likely to have freckles if you're lighter-skinned and have blond or red hair. However, freckles can occur in anyone, and appear as darker brown spots if you have darker skin.

Genetics and sun exposure are the primary causes of freckles. Some people are more likely to get freckles than others, depending on their genes and skin type. If a person is genetically more likely to develop freckles, exposure to sunlight can make them appear.

Lentigo simplex spots may occasionally be mistaken for freckles. However, unlike freckles, lentigo simplex spots don't change color when exposed to sunlight. They also aren't generally found in clusters.

Melanoma is a skin cancer that can show up on the skin in many ways. It can look like a: Changing mole. Spot that looks like a new mole, freckle, or age spot, but it looks different from the others on your skin.

Age spots, also called sun spots, freckles or solar lentigines, occur as a response to sun exposure over time. They are collectively given the name “age spots” because they are visible when one is in one's 40s or older. Age spots are dark permanent areas that do not fade away with time or with a change in season.

The first sign of a melanoma is usually an unusual or funny-looking mole or freckle. Look out for: Change in the colour, shape or size of a spot. A spot that is itchy, painful or tender.

“A freckle represents extra pigment, or melanin, that's in the skin,” Graber said. A freckle can be found anywhere on the body, but Graber says they are most commonly found on the face. And although a freckle may just look like a mole that hasn't risen yet, the two are distinctly different, according to Graber.

Color that is uneven: Shades of black, brown, and tan may be present. Areas of white, gray, red, pink, or blue may also be seen. Diameter: There is a change in size, usually an increase. Melanomas can be tiny, but most are larger than the size of a pea (larger than 6 millimeters or about 1/4 inch).

How long can you have melanoma and not know it? ›

How long can you have melanoma and not know it? It depends on the type of melanoma. For example, nodular melanoma grows rapidly over a matter of weeks, while a radial melanoma can slowly spread over the span of a decade. Like a cavity, a melanoma may grow for years before producing any significant symptoms.

The colour of freckles is caused by a pigment called melanin. The more time you spend in the sun, the more melanin is produced, which is why you might notice more skin freckles after being outside on a sunny day.

You have them because of the genes you were born with. Freckles often show up during childhood, and you may continue to get more until you're in your 20s. People with fair skin or red hair are most likely to have them.

Although freckles are hereditary, they are activated by sun exposure. If someone that has the freckle gene (MC1R), they must spend time in the sun in order to produce freckles. A person without the freckles genes will not produce freckles regardless of if they are in the sun or not.

The first sign of melanoma is often a mole that changes size, shape or color. This melanoma shows color variations and an irregular border, both of which are melanoma warning signs. Melanomas can develop anywhere on your body.

Freckles do not have defined edges and can become more vivid after exposure to sunlight. Lentigines, on the other hand, are caused by a proliferation of melanocytes that is localized and not dispersed. The group of melanocytes causes more of a spot-like appearance with defined edges.

Age spots are also called sunspots, liver spots and solar lentigines. Age spots are very common in adults older than 50, but younger people can get them if they spend time in the sun.

Normal moles, freckles, skin tags and lentigines are not skin cancers and they aren't considered to be pre-cancerous. Moles don't tend to “turn into” skin cancers. People with many moles (more than 100) have a higher risk of developing melanoma during their lifetime.

No, freckles probably aren't an indication of health.

While it's true vitamin D from the sun can be good for your body, freckles (those that pop when you're in the sun and aren't present all year-round) are a lot like a tan. They may look healthy, but they're actually a sign of too much sun exposure.

The most common type of melanoma usually appears as a flat or barely raised lesion with irregular edges and different colours.

Is it normal to get freckles and moles as you get older? ›

You develop them over the course of your life. "The largest number of moles usually form during childhood and up through early adulthood, but you can develop new moles throughout your entire life — especially if you have excessive ultraviolet exposure," adds Dr. Jih.

Freckles generally develop in childhood, adolescence or young adulthood, and they may increase in number and distribution during that time. A hallmark characteristic of freckles is that they get darker when exposed to the sun's ultraviolet (UV) light.

Freckles are small, flat skin spots usually caused by genetics and exposure to the sun. On the other hand, melasma is a type of hyperpigmentation often caused by hormonal changes, such as during pregnancy, menopause, or taking birth control pills.

ABCDE of Melanoma:

A for Asymmetry – the mole is not symmetrical. B for Border – the border of a freckle/mole is suspicious. C for Color – there is a variation in color within the spot or compared to other moles/freckles. D for Diameter – the mole is larger than 6mm in diameter.

Visible signs of precancerous skin

Crustiness or bleeding. Diameter of less than one inch. Discoloration, often appearing brown, pink, gray, red, yellow, or white. Flat or slightly raised.

Actinic keratoses are very common, and many people have them. They are caused by ultraviolet (UV) damage to the skin. Some actinic keratoses can turn into squamous cell skin cancer. Because of this, the lesions are often called precancer.

A visual check of your skin only finds moles that may be cancer. It can't tell you for sure that you have it. The only way to diagnose the condition is with a test called a biopsy. If your doctor thinks a mole is a problem, they will give you a shot of numbing medicine, then scrape off as much of the mole as possible.

A new mole or a change in an existing mole may be signs of melanoma. Melanomas can appear anywhere on your body, but they're more common in areas that are often exposed to the sun. Some rarer types can affect the eyes, soles of the feet, palms of the hands or genitals. Check your skin for any unusual changes.

It might look skin coloured, waxy, like a scar or thickened area of skin that's very slowly getting bigger. You might also see small blood vessels.

Freckles reveal how friendly and gregarious the person is. To some experts, freckles represent a crowd of people which are carried around on the face. Moles are like little punctuations, emphasising certain characteristics.

What do freckles from the sun mean? ›

Going out in the sun makes your skin cells start producing extra melanin intended to shield your skin from sun damage. Increased melanin is also behind your sun tan — as well as your sunburn. If you have the necessary genetic predisposition, exposure to the sun will bring freckles out on your skin.

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Border that is irregular: The edges of suspicious moles are ragged, notched or blurred in outline, while healthy moles tend to have more even borders. The pigment of the mole may also spread into the surrounding skin. Color that is uneven: The mole may have various colors present, including black, brown and tan.

Stage I Melanoma

This is a noninvasive stage, which is also called melanoma “in situ,” meaning “in its original place.” With stage I melanoma, the tumor's thickness is 1mm or less. This tumor may or may not have ulcerated, and it isn't yet believed to have spread beyond the original site.

Melanoma can grow very quickly. It can become life-threatening in as little as 6 weeks and, if untreated, it can spread to other parts of the body. Melanoma can appear on skin not normally exposed to the sun.

General symptoms

hard or swollen lymph nodes. hard lump on your skin. unexplained pain. feeling very tired or unwell.

Normally, the first place a melanoma tumor metastasizes to is the lymph nodes, by literally draining melanoma cells into the lymphatic fluid, which carries the melanoma cells through the lymphatic channels to the nearest lymph node basin.

Blood tests. Blood tests aren't used to diagnose melanoma, but some tests may be done before or during treatment, especially for more advanced melanomas. Doctors often test blood for levels of a substance called lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) before treatment.

The main difference between moles and freckles is that moles are raised from the surface of the skin whereas a freckle tends to be flat on the skin [1]. A freckle typically appears as brown spots, unlike moles that can be black, brown, pink and the colour of the surrounding skin.

Freckles have a normal number of pigment-producing cells and cannot turn into moles.

Does sunscreen stop freckles? ›

Sunscreen won't get rid of existing freckles, but it helps prevent new ones. You should wear sunscreen year-round, even when it's cloudy. The American Academy of Dermatology offers these tips: Sunscreen should have an SPF of 30 or higher.

The average age that children develop freckles is between two and four years old. “As kids get older, they start walking [on their own], doing more activities outdoors, and naturally have more sunlight exposure,” Teng tells Yahoo Parenting. This can trigger a smattering of freckles, particularly on children's faces.

See your GP as soon as possible if you notice changes in a mole, freckle or patch of skin, particularly if the changes happen over a few weeks or months. Signs to look out for include a mole that's: getting bigger. changing shape.

Can you get freckles without sun exposure? While it may not be what you'd like to hear, the answer is unfortunately no. The only thing that can bring about freckles is sun exposure. It is important to note though that freckles don't necessarily mean sun damage.

Laser treatment is one of the most effective ways of removing freckles. Many freckles are often removed after just one session, and even persistent freckles can fade into obscurity after repeated sessions.

Stage I melanoma is no more than 1.0 millimeter thick (about the size of a sharpened pencil point), with or without an ulceration (broken skin). There is no evidence that Stage I melanoma has spread to the lymph tissues, lymph nodes, or body organs.

Talk to your doctor if you notice changes in your skin such as a new growth, a sore that doesn't heal, a change in an old growth, or any of the A-B-C-D-Es of melanoma. A change in your skin is the most common sign of skin cancer. This could be a new growth, a sore that doesn't heal, or a change in a mole.

Genetics and sun exposure are the primary causes of freckles. Some people are more likely to get freckles than others, depending on their genes and skin type. If a person is genetically more likely to develop freckles, exposure to sunlight can make them appear.

Most people have some skin marks, such as freckles and moles, which may multiply or darken over time. Benign means they are not cancer.

What deficiency causes brown spots? ›

Lack of Vitamin B12

According to a 2008 study, a deficiency in vitamin B12 can cause skin discoloration such as brown spots. This discoloration can occur even if no other symptoms are present. Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause “hyper-pigmentation”—this is a condition in which patches of skin become darker.

The edges are irregular, ragged, notched, or blurred. The color is not the same all over and may include shades of brown or black, sometimes with patches of pink, red, white, or blue. The spot is larger than ¼ inch across – about the size of a pencil eraser – although melanomas can sometimes be smaller than this.

Color that is uneven: Shades of black, brown, and tan may be present. Areas of white, gray, red, pink, or blue may also be seen. Diameter: There is a change in size, usually an increase. Melanomas can be tiny, but most are larger than the size of a pea (larger than 6 millimeters or about 1/4 inch).

They are described as “hazy” because the precancerous mole fades into the healthy skin. Color: Whereas a common mole is one color, a precancerous mole is often a mixture of various colors like brown, black, red, or blue. Diameter: The larger the mole, the more likely it is precancerous.

Liver spots are flat, brown or black spots that can appear on areas of the skin that are exposed to the sun. They have nothing to do with the liver or liver function. Lentigos, sometimes called age spots or freckles, are a result of cumulative damage to the skin by sunlight.

Freckles themselves aren't a sign of damage to the skin. However, people who have freckles are more likely to be sensitive to the sun's ultraviolet rays that cause damage.

Are Freckles Dangerous? Freckles are almost always harmless. You don't need to worry about a freckle turning cancerous. While some people may wish to lighten their freckles, others love them, and people who do not naturally have them can use makeup products, henna, and tattoos to get that freckled look.

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) usually appears as a small, shiny pink or pearly-white lump with a translucent or waxy appearance. It can also look like a red, scaly patch. There's sometimes some brown or black pigment within the patch.

It's important to get a new or existing mole checked out if it: changes shape or looks uneven. changes colour, gets darker or has more than 2 colours. starts itching, crusting, flaking or bleeding.

Why am I getting more moles and freckles? ›

It's thought to be an interaction of genetic factors and sun damage in most cases. Moles usually emerge in childhood and adolescence, and change in size and color as you grow. New moles commonly appear at times when your hormone levels change, such as during pregnancy. Most moles are less than 1/4 inch in diameter.

Freckles are extremely common and aren't a health threat. They're more often seen in the summer. You're more likely to have freckles if you're lighter-skinned and have blond or red hair. However, freckles can occur in anyone, and appear as darker brown spots if you have darker skin.

You have them because of the genes you were born with. Freckles often show up during childhood, and you may continue to get more until you're in your 20s. People with fair skin or red hair are most likely to have them.

When melasma appears, it can cause tan, brown, grayish brown, or bluish gray patches and freckle-like spots. These usually appear on certain areas of face like the cheeks, forehead, chin, and even above the upper lip. While less common, melasma can develop on the arms, neck, or elsewhere.

Occasionally, people develop melasma on their jawline, neck, arms, or elsewhere. Wherever melasma appears, it causes blotchy patches and spots that can look like freckles. The color varies with a person's skin tone and the severity of the melasma. In general, melasma is slightly darker than your natural skin color.

If a mole looks different from the others, itches, bleeds, or is changing in any way, a dermatologist should examine it.

A visual check of your skin only finds moles that may be cancer. It can't tell you for sure that you have it. The only way to diagnose the condition is with a test called a biopsy. If your doctor thinks a mole is a problem, they will give you a shot of numbing medicine, then scrape off as much of the mole as possible.

A dermatologist will check your skin from head to toe, making note of any spots that need monitoring or further treatment. Many dermatologists will use a lighted magnifier called a dermatoscope to view moles and spots closely.

A halo nevus is a mole surrounded by a white ring or halo. These moles are almost always benign, meaning they aren't cancerous. Halo nevi (the plural of nevus) are sometimes called Sutton nevi or leukoderma acquisitum centrifugum. They're fairly common in both children and young adults.

Do you feel sick with melanoma? ›

feeling sick. poor appetite and weight loss. a swollen tummy (called ascites) yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice)

In the very early stages the 5-year survival rate is 99%. Once melanoma has spread to the lymph nodes the 5-year survival rate is 63%. If melanoma spreads to other parts of the body, the 5-year survival drops to just 20%.

Keep an eye on spots that look different to others on your body, spots that have changed in size, shape, colour or texture, and sores that itch, bleed, or don't heal. If you notice any of these signs, see your doctor and seek their expert opinion.

Doctors have known for decades that melanoma and many other cancer types tend to spread first into nearby lymph nodes before entering the blood and traveling to distant parts of the body.

Survival for all stages of melanoma

around 90 out of every 100 people (around 90%) will survive their melanoma for 5 years or more after diagnosis. more than 85 out of every 100 people (more than 85%) will survive their melanoma for 10 years or more after they are diagnosed.

Most freckles are uniform in color, but it varies depending on skin tone. They can be red, tan, light brown, dark brown, black, or any color that is darker than the person's skin color. That is typically why people with pale skin have a more reddish hue to their freckles.

A rare skin finding called axillary freckling (freckles in the armpit) is occasionally seen in a rare inherited disease called neurofibromatosis. These freckles are quite different in appearance from the common variety in both their appearance and distribution.

A cellular subtype of malignant melanoma. It is a pigmented lesion composed of melanocytes occurring on sun-exposed skin, usually the face and neck. The melanocytes are commonly multinucleated with a "starburst" appearance.