Do I have freckles or sunspots?

The quickest way to tell if a brown spot is a freckle or sun spot is that that sun spots are typically larger in size (. 2-2.0 centimeters) and are most commonly found on the hands, face, shoulders, back, arms, and tops of feet.

How do you know if you have freckles or sun spots?

Above: Freckles and sunspots are most commonly located where your body gets the most sun exposure. In terms of size, freckles are usually smaller than 2mm, and can be red or brown, while sunspots are larger than 2mm and can be brown or black.

Can sun spots look like freckles?

Freckles are also known to fade with age. Sunspots are flat areas of discolouration or spots, that can be tan or varying shades of brown. In comparison to freckles, sunspots are usually darker, larger and have a more defined shape. Sunspots also tend to stay this way regardless of the amount of sun exposure.

Are brown spots the same as freckles?

All three words mean the same thing; those brown spots. Freckles usually occur in clusters across larger areas of the skin. Age spots tend to emerge by themselves or in proximity to one or two others. Both freckles and age spots are caused by skin pigmentation called melanin.

What is the difference between a freckle and an age spot?

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.

Freckles, Age Spots, Sun spots: Q

How do I know I have freckles?

Freckles are small dark spots, usually less than 5mm in diameter, where the skin cells have produced extra pigmentation. Most freckles are uniform in color, but it varies depending on skin tone. They can be red, tan, light brown, dark brown, black, or any color that is darker than the person's skin color.

What do sunspots look like?

Sunspots appear as flat, darker patches of skin (tan to dark brown) that are found on areas of the body that have experienced high levels of sun exposure such as the face, shoulders, hands, chest, and the backs of hands.

What are the little brown dots on my skin?

They vary in size and usually appear on areas exposed to the sun, such as the face, hands, shoulders and arms. Age spots are also called sunspots, liver spots and solar lentigines. Age spots are very common in adults older than 50, but younger people can get them if they spend time in the sun.

Are all freckles sun damage?

Freckles themselves aren't a sign of damage to the skin. However, people who have freckles are more likely to be sensitive to the sun's ultraviolet rays that cause damage.

Do sunspots go away?

Most sunspots fade somewhat over time, but they will typically not disappear completely because the skin has been permanently damaged. There are, however, several treatments to diminish the appearance of sunspots. Bleaching creams and acid peels can make the appearance of sunspots less obvious.

Why do I freckle instead of tan?

The more melanin you have in your skin, the easier it is to get a tan. People with fair complexions have less melanin in their skin to start with. When sunlight causes their melanocytes to make more melanin, they often develop freckles instead of getting an even suntan like people with darker complexions.

What's the difference between freckles and beauty marks?

Are beauty marks or freckles dangerous? Freckles are completely harmless and don't have the potential to turn malignant. Beauty marks, however, while usually harmless, can turn cancerous. Always consult a dermatologist to determine whether you should be concerned about a mole.

Does vitamin C lighten freckles?

Does Vitamin C remove freckles? Vitamin C serum can help with freckle removal, but some freckles are more persistent than others. Certainly, however, when applied in serum form Vitamin C does lighten freckles. As well as having a host of other benefits, the serum will suppress melanin cells, and rejuvenate your skin.

What happens if you pick a freckle off?

Never try to remove a mole yourself. It can cause a scar or infection. If you notice any changes to a mole, or if it gets itchy or starts to bleed, get it checked by a dermatologist. These can be early signs of skin cancer.

What are the white spots on my skin when I tan?

Also known as idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis, sun spots look like little white dots or rain droplets on your skin. These can appear anywhere on your body that's been exposed to the sun, but you tend to see them more on your arms, legs and lower half of your body.

Do sunspots turn into moles?

Melanocytes are mature, melanin-forming skin cells located anywhere on your body. When activated by sun exposure, melanocytes transform your skin into its tanned hue. Freckles and sunspots are the results of melanocytes that get darker. Moles are caused by melanocytes that grow in clumps.

Can you tan if you have freckles?

You can safely tan with freckles using a self-tanning lotion. Fair-skinned people tend to burn easily when exposed to the sun or the potentially harmful rays of a tanning booth.

When should I get a freckle checked?

A mole or freckle should be checked if it has a diameter of more than a pencil eraser or any characteristics of the ABCDEs of melanoma (see below). Dysplastic nevi are moles that are generally larger than average (larger than a pencil eraser) and irregular in shape.

At what age do freckles appear?

The average age that children develop freckles is between two and four years old. “As kids get older, they start walking [on their own], doing more activities outdoors, and naturally have more sunlight exposure,” Teng tells Yahoo Parenting. This can trigger a smattering of freckles, particularly on children's faces.

Why do I have freckles without sun exposure?

Why do freckles form on body areas not exposed to the sun? True freckles rarely occur on covered skin and pose essentially no health risk at all. They are all absolutely harmless. They are not cancerous and generally do not become cancerous.

At what age do age spots appear?

They most often start popping up at or around age 50, but younger people can also get age spots if they spend a lot of time in the sun. If you don't like the appearance of your age spots, there are many things you can do to get rid of them.

Why do I have brown patches on my face?

Melasma is a common skin condition that affects the face and causes patchy, brown, tan or blue-gray spots on the face. It is one of several skin conditions that result in patches of discolored skin. Most people with melasma get dark patches on their cheeks, chin, nose bridge, forehead, and above the upper lip.

Can freckles appear overnight?

Your skin can develop new spots after sun exposure. Or an old freckle or mole that's looked the same for years can suddenly change in size, shape or color. You have to be familiar with the spots on your skin to catch these changes.

What does Stage 1 melanoma look like?

Stage IA Melanoma: The melanoma tumor is less than 1.0 millimeter thick (less than the size of a sharpened pencil point) with or without ulceration (broken skin) when viewed under the microscope. Stage IB Melanoma: The melanoma tumor is more than 1.0 millimeter and less than 2.0 millimeters thick without ulceration.