Source: The Star Press, May 2025
Key Points
- Freckles are small, light brown spots that increase in number and darkness with sun exposure.
- Freckles themselves are not skin damage, but indicate sun sensitivity, increasing risk for sun damage.
- New spots on the skin should be monitored for asymmetry, border irregularity, color variation, large diameter, and evolving characteristics, which could indicate melanoma.
As temperatures heat up and more Americans are heading to the pool, beach and other outdoor spaces, sun exposure is bound to spike too.
For many people, regardless of skin color, this can mean a rise in visible freckles. But how do you know when a freckle is harmless versus whether it might actually be something of concern to your dermatologist?