Freckles are one of the most frequently identified pigmented lesions seen on skin which tend to occur in light-skinned individuals with red or blonde hair and are often in sun-exposed areas such as the face, upper trunk, and the posterior aspect of the arms and hands.
Freckles are benign skin lesions that are usually round in shape, light to dark brown in color, and are just a few millimeters in diameter.
Early in life, they can increase in number and distribution, but they often decrease in number as a person reaches adulthood.
Freckles are thought to be directly influenced by exposure to sunlight, and thus, less ultraviolet (UV) exposure such as during winter months will result in lightening of the freckles.
Freckles occur as a result of increased melanin content inside of keratinocytes, mainly seen in the basal cell layer. The number of melanocytes is normal.
Lentigines are the result of increased melanocytes in the basal layer of the skin and sometimes increased melanin content in the upper layers of the skin.
Genetics- An autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance has been suggested in the literature for freckles.
Solar lentigines are thought to be more acquired, and along with simple lentigines, the genetic associations related to these diagnoses are not clearly defined in the literature.
The best way to prevent both freckles and solar lentigines is sun avoidance. Sun protection will help to lighten lesions and is important because these patients are at a higher risk for skin cancer.
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