How much do you know about the freckles on your skin? Where do they come from and how can we get rid of them?

Just last week, Dr Peter Ch'ng shared extensively about freckles here: Patient Mailbox: Freckles Problem Due to Outdoor Activities. So check it out if you haven't yet!

"Is it true that freckles are permanently on my face and they won't disappear?"

We hear a lot of stories and explanation about freckles from our friends and the internet. But which of them is true? How much do you actually know about freckles?

Here are 5 facts about freckles you probably didn't know!

1. Freckles can be worsened by sunlight damage

Sun damage has always been a top enemy for our skin, causing various skin conditions like pigmentation, large pores, or even skin cancer. And freckles are no exception.

Freckles or pigmentation on our face or skin can be caused by or made worse by us being outdoor under the sun for long periods of time.

This is also why in countries where there are four seasons, people with freckles on their skin tend to notice their freckles worsening during summer, especially during the hours of about 10am to 3pm when the sun and UV (ultraviolet) rays are the strongest.

Here in Malayisa, we have sunny weather the whole year round. So our freckles do not fade but are constantly visible.

2. Freckles can be caused by genetics

Freckles can be hereditary. This means that if your parents or siblings have them, there's a chance that you may inherit the genetics of being prone to having freckles on your face, too.

Fair skin is also more prone to getting freckles on the skin, as darker skin are more prone to other forms of pigmentation like melasma. This is caused by a gene known as MC1R that can control your skin colour and pigmentation formation through melanin production.

3. Not all "dots" on our faces are freckles

Identifying what type of pigmentation (the "dots") we have on our face is actually a very important step to have a correct diagnosis, especially for pigmentations that can look very similar like lentigines and freckles.

Freckles are small, brownish or black pigments. They usually appear in clusters or in groups around a small area on the skin. Freckles can normally be found on the face or skin areas that are often exposed to sunlight.

Lentigines are bigger and more well-defined pigmentation on the skin which are brown in colour, and are common in elderly people.

Melasma, on the other hand, come in the form of dark patches and usually occur on both sides of the cheeks.

What type of pigmentation do you have on your face? Make sure you get an accurate diagnosis from certified skin specialist for the best diagnosis and treatment!

If you’d like to ask more about your skin condition or have a discussion with Dr Peter, call us at +6011-22882299, WhatsApp us here, or book an appointment with Dr Peter here!

4. Freckles may be a sign of sensitive skin

Because freckles is a direct effect of sun damage, it can also mean that your skin is sensitive and is highly vulnerable to sunburn or skin conditions caused by sun damage. This includes a risk of skin cancer if your skin is exposed to the sun too much. However, freckles themselves are harmless and are not a sign of skin cancer.

If you get freckles easily, you should try your best to avoid being under the sun, especially during the hours of about 10am to 3pm when the sun and UV (ultraviolet) rays are the strongest.

If you have activities outdoor or need to be outdoors during these hours for your job, make sure you practise sun protection diligently!

5. Freckles can be treated easily and safely

Laser treatments are the safest and most effective treatments for getting rid of freckles on the skin.

The lasers used in treatments to get rid of freckles are mainly pigmentation lasers that target the surface of the skin where the freckles are. These can be done by pigmentation lasers in Q-switch mode (nanosecond laser light), or in Picosecond mode.

However, it is very important to remember that laser treatments should always only be done by certified medical doctors. If operated by an untrained individual, we leave our skin exposed to risks of burns and injuries.

At Peter Ch'ng Skin Clinic, we have our skin specialist Dr Peter Ch'ng and aesthetic physician Dr Loo Keng Shien who are experienced and certified specialist doctors who can help you with your skin treatments safely and effectively.

Laser treatment is the safest and most effective treatment to remove freckles. If you’re interested in getting one, call us at +6011-22882299, WhatsApp us here, or book an appointment with Dr Peter here!

To read more in detail about freckles and the treatments shared by Dr Peter, check out his article here: Patient Mailbox: Freckles Problem Due to Outdoor Activities.

We’ll be going back to the Patient Mailbox series next week with Dr Loo, so stay tuned!

As an esteemed dermatologist and skin specialist, Dr Peter is a renowned doctor in treating various skin conditions. He also prides himself in being able to treat acne patients of all types, with a 100% acne treatment success record. If you’d like to ask more about your skin condition or have a discussion with Dr Peter, call us at +6011-22882299, WhatsApp us here, or book an appointment with Dr Peter here!

---

If you’d like to ask more about your skin condition or have a discussion with Dr Peter, you can contact us at +6011-22882299, Whatsapp us, or book an appointment with Dr Peter here!