What do WWII battles, ballistic missiles, and the deadly brown tree snake have in common?
However, it's no excuse not to be applying and reapplying a minimum of SPF 30 daily.
Freckles are more common among individuals of European descent, particularly those with Celtic heritage.
While redheads have less melanin in their skin, contrary to popular belief, not all of them have freckles.
Back then, moles, warts, birthmarks, and freckles were said to be indicative of a women's allegiance to the devil.
Individuals with fair skin, especially those with red or blonde hair, are more prone to developing freckles.
Freckles come in a variety of colors, ranging from light brown to almost black, adding uniqueness and charm to one's appearance.
As individuals age, they may notice an increase in the number and intensity of their freckles, which is due to years of sun exposure and the general aging process.
For people who want to avoid freckles, prevention is key. Wear an SPF of at least 30. Then, wait 15 minutes before heading out for full protection. Do this every day, even in the winter, to prevent further pigmentation.
Sources: (Healthline) (Allure) (Marie Claire)
See also: Outsmart the sun: common sun safety myths and facts
However, it's important to note that freckles can appear in people of all ethnic backgrounds and skin tones.
Freckles are thought to be controlled by the same gene, but red hair is recessive, and freckles are a dominant trait.
Freckles can also appear on any other part of the body that is exposed to the sun, such as the neck, chest, and arms.
Generally, freckles fade during the winter and are more prominent in the summer, when sun exposure is at its highest.
Freckles tend to appear around the ages of 2 to 3, only because babies and toddlers are usually shaded from the sun and don't accumulate enough UV radiation to form freckles.
It comes from Old Norse and appeared in Geoffrey Chaucer's 'Canterbury Tales': "A fewe freknes in his face y-spreynd."
Freckles are linked to a key genetic player in regulating your skin and hair color. A gene known as MC1R controls how much of two different kinds of melanin you produce.
Freckles form as a result of sun exposure and sunburns. They can appear on anyone who doesn't protect themselves from UV rays.
Sunspots, or solar lentigines, are flat, brown spots that tend to be larger and more irregularly shaped than freckles.
Moles can turn into melanoma over time, but freckles are innately benign. However, the presence of freckles can signal your susceptibility to developing skin cancer, as they form on a skin type sensitive to the sun.
In some people, melanin is produced evenly through the skin. When it's not, freckles are little clumps of melanin that fluctuate with the sun.
This is another big difference between freckles and sunspots, which won't go anywhere without treatment.
The more common of the two are ephelides, which are flat, light brown marks that tend to fluctuate with the seasons.
Freckles also go by the medical term ephelides, from the ancient Greek éfilis, which translates to "rough spot on the face."
In reality, freckles aren't rough or raised. They're well-defined, often brown spots that show up in sun-exposed areas.
The melanocytes act as a natural sunscreen by darkening your face, which makes the skin less susceptible to UV rays.
The two types of melanin are darker brown eumelanin and reddish-yellow pheomelanin. If your MC1R gene is inactive, you'll produce more pheomelanin, leading to light hair and skin, as well as a propensity for freckles.
Sunspots take many years to fully develop after repeated sun exposure. They're seen on a wide range of skin types and tones, and commonly begin to appear around the age of 40.
Then there are lentigines, which are liver or age spots, where the skin contains even more melanocytic cells. They typically don't change based on exposure to sunlight.
Freckles are small pigmented spots on the skin and are often considered a cute and charming beauty feature in Western societies, making those who have them stand out. Whether the natural specks are collected during the summer or are faux ones drawn on, freckles are overall a fascinating feature.
From their genetic origins to their association with sun exposure, click on for things you probably didn't know about the sun-induced specks.
Fun facts you didn't know about freckles!
Fascinating trivia about freckles for the curious
LIFESTYLE Skin
Freckles are small pigmented spots on the skin and are often considered a cute and charming beauty feature in Western societies, making those who have them stand out. Whether the natural specks are collected during the summer or are faux ones drawn on, freckles are overall a fascinating feature.
From their genetic origins to their association with sun exposure, click on for things you probably didn't know about the sun-induced specks.