From a scientific perspective, freckles are referred to as ephelides. They are similar to pigmented macules. Like sunspots, they result from an over-pigmentation of the skin in certain areas. What differentiates sunspots from freckles? And what are their commonalities?
Sun spots versus freckles.
Summary
Published on February 22, 2024, by Maylis, Chemical Engineer — 4 min of reading
Themes:
What are the differences between sun spots and freckles?
The Causes
Even though the appearance of freckles occurs after exposure to the sun during childhood, they primarily have a genetic origin. If one of your parents has them, it's possible that you may also have them, regardless of your hair colour. Be aware, freckles are different from tanning. Indeed, melanin has two components. Pheomelanin, which produces red-coloured pigments, and eumelanin, which produces dark pigments, responsible for the visual aspect of a tan. The skin of sensitive individuals, who have a phototype 1, produce only pheomelanin.
Sunspots , on the other hand, are due to prolonged and repeated exposure to the sun's UV rays , but have no link to genetics. As a reminder, the production of melanin by melanocytes increases under the action of UV rays and pigment abnormalities can occur. They mainly appear on the most frequently exposed parts of the body. Be aware, the use of certain photosensitising medications can promote lentigines. Furthermore, lentigo can also be caused by skin ageing. With age, the skin is unable to fully protect itself from external aggressions and deteriorates. A dysfunction of the melanocytes is observed, associated with the exhaustion of their pigment potential at the level of the hair follicles. This phenomenon is attributed to the consequences of repeated attacks of reactive oxygen species (or free radicals) on the nuclei of melanocytes and mitochondria. When this happens, the skin becomes vulnerable to UV rays, responsible for pigment spots then called "age spots". To prevent this, at any age, it is therefore essential to apply a sun protection suitable for your skin tone before sun exposure.
The onset period
Freckles tend to appear during the first three years of life, whereas sunspots intensify and become increasingly numerous with age, typically after the age of fifty. Indeed, they are also referred to as age spots.
The appearance of spots
Generally, freckles have a smaller diameter than sunspots. Both types of spots are flat with well-defined edges, but freckles are smaller than sunspots.
What similarities exist between sunspots and freckles?
The relevant phototypes
Freckles and sun spots are both significantly more prevalent in individuals with light phototypes (redheads, blondes, light brunettes).
The areas of occurrence
Since these two types of hyperpigmentation are linked to sun exposure, they are found more frequently on the areas often exposed to UV rays such as the back, face, décolletage, and the back of the hands.
