Don't Fret Over Freckles By Janet Martin At Isnare.com Ezine Articles

Sunshine helps the body produce vitamin D and stimulates the growth of red blood corpuscles. Too much sunlight, however, encourages the growth of skin cancer and other diseases. To protect itself from the harmful effects of the sun's ultraviolet rays, the Malpighian cells of the epidermis or outer skin release a dark brown pigment called melanin which either appears as a good tan or a crop of freckles.

Freckles are generally harmless and some people even enjoy having them. Their appearance is also an indication of the skin's inability to produce enough pigment for its protection. This is true in light or fair complexioned people who have little melanin pigment and should be wary of excessive exposure to the sun. Those with dark skin, on the other hand, have little to worry about because they have enough melanin pigment in their bodies.

“Freckles are small, flat, pigmented spots on your skin. They vary in color from red to tan to brown. Freckles are not present at birth. Instead, they develop in childhood and in later years as a result of repeated sun exposure. Freckles occur primarily in sun-exposed areas of your body, such as your nose and shoulders,” according to the Mayo Clinic.

Many cures have been proposed for the removal of freckles ranging from the ridiculous to outright deceiving. The best that some alleged freckle removers like lemon juice, salt, buttermilk or yogurt can do is to lighten freckles because they have a mild bleaching effect. None of them can actually cause freckles to disappear and the surest cure is to avoid needless exposure to sunlight.

A number of skin ointments and lotions which protect one from the sun are available in the market today and a good dermatologist or skin specialist can recommend what is best for you. Some cosmetics help conceal freckles if they prove annoying.

Skin-peeling techniques unless administered by a competent doctor, are best avoided since these make use of poisonous substances which can do more harm than good to your skin. Don't rely on "quacks," your next door neighbor or a beauty consultant to advice you on freckles and skin care. A short visit to a dermatologist can save you a lot of money and worry in the long run.

When freckles persist and change into large, rough, scaly spots, they must be brought to your doctor's attention immediately for this may signal the start of skin cancer. Again, these "senile freckles," as they are called, are best cured by avoiding direct exposure to sunlight or the application of cold cream. If not, the doctor will find other effective ways to remove them.

“Freckles rarely develop into skin cancer. However, freckles are especially common in people with light skin, and having light skin that burns easily increases your risk of skin cancer. Also, some skin cancer in its earliest stages resembles a freckle,” warned the Mayo Clinic.

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