What are freckles and how to properly care for them to prevent them from spreading and keeping their color. For this we are going to list some important elements so that you can understand how they appear and what you can do to keep them in optimal condition.
It is not in dispute if freckles are aesthetic or not, since many models that are successful today have their faces with freckles and this gives them a unique appeal, however if we do not know how to take care of them, the skin can be exposed to spots and the spread of freckles that may become larger.
What are freckles?
They are called in medicine “freckles” and are brown spots caused by increased melanin in the skin that appear around 5 years of age and have a family tendency. They are more common in fair, red-haired, and blonde people. Their quantity can increase and they darken due to prolonged exposure to the sun, therefore sun protection is very important.
Where do they appear most frequently?
The most common sites for the appearance of these spots are small exposed areas such as the face, shoulder and neck. However they can appear on other parts of the body as well. Freckles present themselves differently in summer and winter. In the summer, when the sun is strongest, freckles can increase in number, size and depth of pigment in the skin, and in winter, they become lighter and smaller. You may be interested in reading this note about home remedies to lighten freckles .
Differentiate between freckles and skin cancer
Because these lesions are more common in fair-skinned patients, you should be aware of lesions that may have some kind of malignancy and are mixed with freckles. It is advisable to monitor freckles and blemishes at least annually with a dermatologist, mainly in people with fair skin, and especially if you have not had care and protection for several years.
Inspection of injuries should be done slowly, one by one, with special care. The specialist, using the appropriate equipment (dermatoscope) helps in the diagnosis of potentially malignant lesions.
How to care for freckles
It consists mainly of the use of a good sunscreen . This must be the best ally. It is not advisable to use lighteners and acids to clean lesions if we do not avoid the main aggravating effect that is UV radiation on our skin. You can see more information about skin cancer and how to prevent it with your diet, in addition to using sunscreen and avoiding sunbathing during peak hours, which correspond between 9:30 AM and 4:00 PM.
Performing chemical peels is also a good indication in these cases and should be carried out mainly in winter, since the skin is very sensitive to the procedure and is better tolerated in milder temperatures.
It is very important that you consult a dermatologist to indicate the most appropriate treatment, do not self-medicate and do not buy drugs that promise miracles, as they may not work at all or harm the natural color of freckles and the skin in general.