Freckles and Lentigens

What are Freckles?

Freckles are 1-2 mm brown spots, commonly seen on the face, shoulders, back of people with fair skin. Some people find them cute, while others find them a beauty blemish. Family history, genetic factors, and cumulative sun exposure affect the extent and severity of freckles, with sun being the single most important factor. Hence, careful and thorough sun protection is essential in preventing freckles.

What are Lentigines?

Lentigines have a strong association with sun exposure and are commonly known as the “sun-spots” or “solar lentigines”. Careful and thorough sun protection will reduce the numbers and severity of lentigines, but not all can be prevented. It is most common on the face and arms and appears as single or multiple round patches of pigmentation. They can be treated with topical creams or Q-switched YAG laser, all with excellent results! Temporary darkening of the skin (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation) may occur especially with laser treatment. However, this usually settles over time or with lightening cream treatment.

Laser treatment

Laser treatment is a good alternative. These include Q-switched Nd:YAG, ruby laser, and alexandrite laser. But the risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation is slightly higher with the use of laser treatment. Good maintenance is prudent and this is done through good sun protection and intermittent OPT treatment. In essence, removing freckles is fairly straightforward. The challenge lies in the prevention of its recurrence and we cannot overemphasize the importance of good suncare!