With the rise of freckle tattoos and using makeup to draw them on, freckles have become a coveted facial staple in the beauty world. But for those of you lucky enough to have natural freckles, this could be a sign that your skin is trying to tell you something.
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While many women with fair skin have had freckles for as long as they can remember, the little dots actually show previous sun exposure. According to Everyday Health, most freckles are harmless, but they do reflect sun damage on your skin. So, what exactly causes freckles, and are they bad?
Ever notice that your freckles are extremely noticeable in the summer, and fade significantly in the winter? That's because freckles pop up when your skin starts to produce more melanin after more exposure to UV rays, says Everyday Health. There are certain instances when your freckles could be a warning sign for skin problems.
Many women get an onset of freckles after a sunburn, in which case you might want to be cautious. "Sunburn freckles" have been linked to melanoma skin cancer. While not every freckle automatically means you have melanoma, you need to be on the lookout for any darker than usual freckles or new ones that have developed.
Always apply sunscreen when you soak up some sun and schedule annual appointments with your dermatologist to check on your skin. If you notice any changes in your freckles, call your dermatologist ASAP. Most importantly, since most freckles are harmless, flaunt what you got because those youthful-looking dots are beautiful.
