Freckles - Prevent 'em or Treat 'em?

Freckles - Prevent 'em or Treat 'em?

Millions of people around the world have freckles. However, there are those who wish that a full freckle remover existed. So, if you are interested in freckle removal, remedies for freckles and freckle treatments then it is in your best interest to continue reading this article and find out what can you do with them.

What Are Freckles?

Freckles are marks that appear in our skin as a consequence to our exposure to the sun. They are usually present in people with pale skin, blond or red hair. However, what causes freckles? The active ingredient for the production of freckles is the melanocortin-1 receptor MC1R gene variant. When a person has this gene variant, and spends time under the sun, freckles will start to make their appearance, especially in the face. When the sun rays penetrate their skin, they make contact with the melanocytes, activating them. As a reaction, they will create new freckles or increase the size of the older ones.

Different Types Of Freckles

There are two main types of freckles, known as ephelides and lentigines. Ephelides comes from the Greek word for freckle: ephelis. The principal characteristic of this form of freckle is its color (red or light brown). Usually, they appear during the summer months and tend to disappear through the winter. In the case of lentigines (the word comes from Latin, lentil), things are a bit different. Most of the times they appear in children and their skin develops a spot of darker colors (brown to black). Finally, they don't disappear during winter. Although they may not be very attractive in appearance, they don't pose any type of risk. Although these are the two main types of freckles, there are some variations that need to be considered. For example, when an adult develops lentigines, they are usually called "age spots" or "liver spots". However, you shouldn't be deceived by these names. They are the manifestation of overexposure to the sun in a skin that has a genetic tendency to develop freckles.

How Can Freckles Be Treated?

The most popular freckle remover in these days is laser. Laser procedures are able to remove the freckle from the skin without causing any kind of damage to the surrounding tissue. Plus, it doesn't require high doses of anesthesia and they are procedures that are very quick to perform.

For a time, cryosurgery was also popular for treating freckles. This procedure uses liquid nitrogen in order to freeze the affected region of the skin so the freckle can be easily removed. However, with the advent of laser technology, cryosurgery has lost some terrain. There are some cases, though, in which dermatologists still recommend the use of cryosurgery

Do Freckles Pose Health Risks?

Yes and no. If a person has freckles, the best thing that he or she can do is to visit, each year, a dermatologist. The doctor will take pictures of the most important freckles in the body in order to evaluate them after a year. Why is it needed? The reason is that a freckle could be the antecessor to a more dangerous kind of spot: melanoma. The doctor needs to assure himself that there hasn't been any change in the pattern of the freckle. If your family has an antecedent of cancer and you have freckles, then you may have a genetic disposition for melanoma. Look for a dermatologist and let him examine your skin. Additionally, do not forget to tell him if there have been cases of skin cancer in your family. This information is very important for him since he will be able to implement a proper treatment

How Can Freckles Be Prevented?

The best way to avoid their appearance is by not having any kind of contact with intense sun, especially during the summer. Of course, few people will want to follow this option since most of them want to spend time in the outsides, especially in the beach. So, if you are one of those persons, your best choice is to use sunscreen. Consult your dermatologist in order to determine which kind, and level, of sunscreen you need to use.Teen freckles can be a nuisance for many adolescents who consider their external image the most important thing for them. However, it is very important that parents teach their kids that there is no magical remedy. If they have been born with freckles, they will have to accept it as part of their lives. Although a freckle remover can eliminate the ones that pose a health risk, the truth is that freckles are here to stay

Enjoy
Lorette
http://www.make-up-tip.com