Freckles are flat, circular small spots of melanin on human skin in people of fair complexion. The spots develop randomly on the skin, especially after repeated exposure to sunlight. They may vary in color - they may be red, yellow, tan, light-brown, brown, or black. They are usually more often seen in the summer, especially among lighter-skinned people and people with light or red hair. Both men and women get freckles at an equal rate.

There are two basic types of freckles first is ephelides and second is lentigines Ephelides flat spots that are red or light-brown and typically appear during the sunny months and fade in the winter. They are most often found in people with light complexions and in some families, they are an hereditary (genetic) trait. Lentigines (singular: lentigo, from the Latin word for lentil): Children may develop a small tan, brown, or black spot which tends to be darker than an ephelis-type freckle and which does not fade in the winter.

Freckles come in two different forms - simple and sunburn types. Sunburn freckles are usually a bit darker than simple freckles, and may be a bit larger, with borders that are more jagged in appearance. Some sunburn and other darker freckles are referred to as "lentigines", a word that is derived from the Latin term for lentil. These freckles don't fade as much, if at all, in the winter. They can be part of a rather rare genetic syndrome, but usually they are unremarkable spots.

Freckles are among the many signs of photoaging. Photoaging occurs when excessive sun exposure speeds the skin's natural aging process. Sunlight also causes freckles already present to become darker. Dark skin that appears during pregnancy or while on birth control pills is called melasma, or the mask of pregnancy. Sun exposure makes these patches and spots even darker. Sun exposure is also powerful enough to change certain skin cells into dangerous skin cancers, leading physicians to recommend protective sunscreen and clothing.

Causes:

Sunlight hitting the skin causes the production of more melanin in order to protect the skin layers underneath. Dark skin that appears during pregnancy or while on birth control pills is called melasma, or the mask of pregnancy. Freckles are usually tan or light brown, flat, and very small. specks or spots which develop over sun-exposed surfaces, particularly the cheeks and nose. They are most common in fair-skinned individuals. Sun exposure makes these patches and spots even darker. Flat, large spots on the skin in middle age are caused by sun exposure, and are known as age spots, liver spots, or lentigines.

Uneven distribution of melanin causes its excessive secretion in some patches resulting in formation of brown spots known as freckles. They might get reduced when exposed to cold weather but increase when skin gets exposed to high temperature. As a result in some cases freckles may fade away completely in winters and gradually return in summers. Freckles also fade away with age. Tanning causes rapid increase in production of melanin thus causing increased number of freckles around cheeks and on nose.

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