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Why Do Some People Have Freckles?
My son has lots of freckles on his face and arms, and he recently asked me why. I had no idea! Can you tell us?
– Brad
People with light skin and eyes are more likely to have freckles because they have less melanin, a chemical in the skin that protects it from sun damage by reflecting and absorbing ultraviolet (UV) rays. Instead of tanning, they freckle.
Some people's freckles fade away almost completely in the winter, just to return in the summer. People who freckle are often more likely to get sunburns. It is important for everyone (freckled or not!) to wear sunscreen while outside to protect against skin damage and skin cancer.
For more information, check out these articles:
Sun Safety
Larissa Hirsch, MD
Date reviewed: November 2006
Originally reviewed by: Email us.
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