Freckles, also known as ephelids, lentigoes or lentigines, are tan, brown or black flat spots that can appear over time on areas of skin that have been exposed to the sun . Freckles are common on people with lighter skin who sunburn easily. Age spots can appear as we age and are present on all skin types. In most cases, freckles and age spots can be found on the face and hands, or any other part of the body that has been overexposed to the sun.

Freckles and age spots are among the many signs of photoaging. Photoaging occurs when long-term sun exposure ignites the skin's natural aging process. In addition to freckles and age spots, photoaged skin can also show signs of mottled pigmentation, surface roughness, fine lines and wrinkles and dilated or broken blood vessels.

Treatment Options Include

• Cosmetic cover-ups

• Bleaching creams

• Alpha hydroxy acids

• Retinoids

• Freezing freckles with liquid nitrogen

• Chemical peels

• Dermabrasion

• Laser treatments that can also be used to treat fine lines and wrinkles

• IPL or Intense Pulsed Light provides a gentle, non-invasive solution to fade freckles

DermaNetwork.org is a leading resource for freckle information . Search for a cosmetic dermatologist near you today!

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