What is the difference between freckles and sunspots

Besides dealing with sunburn, melasma, body acne, and other common skin concerns during the summer months , many of us also find ourselves dealing with some other sunshine-triggered features, such as sunspots and freckles. Read on for everything you need to know. Eumelanin naturally protects the skin against UV rays, while pheomelanin does not. Freckled folks happen to produce more pheomelanin than eumelanin, making them particularly vulnerable to sun damage. Prevention is always better than curing , though and can be done by limiting sun exposure, using sunscreen liberally, and avoiding artificial tanning in the form of sunbeds.

While freckles are more visible on lighter skin types, they are actually linked to the same gene responsible for complexion. The MC1R gene not only controls the likelihood of freckles but also it is responsible for skin color and hair color, particularly for those with red hair. Similarly, people with lighter complexions are also most susceptible to develop sun spots. The key difference is that sun spots are more common among older populations and can start forming on someone in their mid-thirties.

With repeated sun exposure over the years, the skin cells start to produce melanin, forming the sun spots. Additionally, the lifespan of freckles and sun spots is different. Freckles typically fade away with age and even seasons whereas sun spots tend to stick around longer. Because of this, sun spots may require skin treatments for removal. Fortunately, neither freckles or sun spots are harmful.

Even though they are benign, it is still important to monitor their appearance to make sure there are no irregularities or changes which could indicate malignant melanoma skin cancer. Should you notice any changes, it is important to schedule a visit with your board certified dermatologist to be on the safe side.

Personalised DNA skincare. About us. Our story. Contact us. Close cart. Freckles VS Sunspots. Some more differences. Some similarities. The importance of your skintype. What is melanin? Learn more and discover your skin's needs. Our product offer. Questions about pigmentation? Dermalogica Ultracalming Barrier Repair 30ml. Dermalogica lookfantastic. REN lookfantastic. SkinCeuticals lookfantastic. This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses.

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