Types of freckle

[sezchwarn]

Hi, I used to have lots of facial freckles that came in the summer and faded in the winter. Since going abroad without sunscreen they have developed into freckles that remain dark throughout the year. I was just wondering if anybody knew how the two types differ (apart from in the way I just mentioned) and if they have different names. i.e. are they situated in different levels of the dermis or...
Thanks.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Sun spots or lentigines, are harmless, flat, brown discolorations of the skin which usually occur on the back of the hands, neck and face of people older than 40 years of age. They are caused by the skin being exposed to the sun over many years and are a sigh of sun damage.

The only way to prevent age spots is to use liberal amounts of sunscreen before the age of forty, avoid the sun, and wear protective clothing. The newest treatment for age spots is an alpha hydroxy acid gel or beta hydroxy acid gel.  Retin-A cream, alpha hydroxyacid peels, and liquid nitrogen therapy are other options.

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.

[sezchwarn]

I have just learnt they are called lentigines as oppose to freckles/ephilides. My question has now become why do they not fade and also how do they differ in terms of depth and what they are.