Freckles – What to Watch For
Freckles, medically referred to as ephelides, are darker spots that appear on the skin.
They are triggered by sun exposure, so they fade over winter, but quickly darken in the summer, , when the skin is exposed to the sun more of the time. They are also more visible on areas exposed to the sun – the face, arms and chest – but can appear on other areas too, especially where a person is genetically predisposed to having freckles.
Freckles are not the same as moles. Moles don’t tend to fade over winter. A mole is a collection of pigment cells called melanocytes which appear at the epidermis (outer layer of skin) or dermis (deeper part of the skin).
While freckles are completely harmless, anybody who is predisposed to freckles should pay extra attention to their skin.
World-renowned dermatologist Dr Murad said:
…”those who are genetically pre-disposed to freckles are often fair skinned as well, which in turn makes them more susceptible to skin cancers.”
Sunscreen is the best protection both from freckles and from sun-related skin cancer.
However, if a skin lesion appears which is worrying, patients should not hesitate to get it checked out by a medical professional.
Suspicious Moles
The ABCDE mole checking rule quickly outlines areas to look for in worrying moles:
- Asymmetry: an unequal or uneven shape
- Borders: jagged edges to the mole can be an indication
- Colour: speckledy, uneven coloration can be a concern
- Diameter: a larger mole is defined as bigger than a pencil eraser
- Evolving: look out for unusual changes in moles – in size, shape, colour or height as well as behaviour like itchiness, discharge, bleeding or crustiness.
Mole Removal Treatment
Cosmedics Skin Clinics doctors offer private mole removal in London and Bristol clinics with no waiting list.
They also offer head to toe mole checking at their London and Bristol clinics with experienced mole removal surgeons.
Moles are removed using the latest surgical techniques including laser mole removal; with trained doctors and surgeons. All moles are sent for testing (histology) as a precaution.
For more information or to book a consultation, please complete the form on this web page or call 020 7386 0464.