The Truth About Freckles

By Editorial Staff in Facts On 8th February 2017

A smattering of freckles spilled across the nose and cheeks or sprinkled along one's arms or shoulders can add an extra layer of beauty and individuality to a person. Some people are even adding extra fake freckles to their faces just for the fun of it. For those who have freckles, sometimes called angel kisses, skincare and cosmetic rituals can involve a different approach than most because they do have their own unique quirks. Here's what you might not know about freckles...

#1 Celebs Rock Them

Gorgeous Emma Stone used to be ashamed of her freckled cheeks and tried to cover them up, especially during close-up scenes. But in later years she grew to embrace the beauty of her freckles now wishes she had a few more. Her light complexion sparkles with the smattering of freckles across the bridge of her nose.

#2 Some Celebs Love Their Freckles

Actress Demi Lovato, known as the 'make-up free Instagram Queen', has posted and shared hundreds of selfies to her fans of her freckled face. She is not embarrassed by her freckles and says they make her look 'wholesome and cute'. While she is declaring that freckles are in, other famous faces like Lindsay Lohan are having a love/hate relationship with their genetic gift.

#3 Some Celebs Have Learned To Live With Their Freckles

Julianne Moore penned a series of children's books with the main character, Freckleface Strawberry borrowing her vivid moniker from a childhood nickname bestowed upon the author. Moore explained, "I wrote the book about this little girl trying to get rid of her freckles. I still have mine and I still don't like them, but I have other things to worry about. I care about it less."

#4 Freckles Occur On Every Skin Tone

Dark haired celebrities like Kyle Jenner and Lucy Liu have darker freckles that we don't often see unless there is an extreme no-makeup close-up. Liu is a prime example of how freckles can be seen in darker-skinned individuals as well, although they are less common.

#5 They Are More Common On Light Skinned And Fair Haired People

Freckles will occur and are more likely in lighter-skinned individuals, and those with lighter hair will also be more likely to develop freckles. Blonde or red haired people with blue eyes tend to have more freckles than the rest of the population. But freckles are not reserved solely for those with pale skin and fair hair.

#6 Freckles Are Genetic

Freckles aren't random, either. Freckles are, in fact, familial. Dr. Kally Papantoniou, who practices cosmetic and medical dermatology, confirmed that "freckles can have a genetic predisposition and are often seen with a family history." She says that the gene for freckles is commonly passed down from the mother to her child.

#7 They Are Not The Same As Age Or Sun Spots

People often mistake freckles with age or sun spots. They are not the same thing. Sometimes, freckles were even compared to individual moles. But there is a big difference between freckles and sun spots, according to Dr. Kally Papantoniou. She says it is very important for young adults to know the difference between freckles and sun spots, as one can be life threatening.

#8 Real Freckles Begin In Childhood

"True freckles, the kind that appear on skin in childhood, are caused by increased levels of melanin in melanocytes." She furthered, "'Age spots,' or 'lentigos,' are dark spots that appear later life and are due to increased amounts of melanocytes in the skin from UVA/B damage." Sunspots or over exposure to the bright sun can cause skin cancer and should be looked at by a dermatologist immediately.

#9 Freckles Can Be Controlled With Treatments

Author Judy Blume had a very popular children's book out called Freckle Juice, about a boy who desperately wanted to have freckles on his face that he tried everything imaginable. However, most people with freckles wish there was a juice to remove them. Dr. Papantoniou shared, "Freckles can be removed with a simple laser treatment such as the Fraxel and Clear & Brilliant. Freckles will be lightened and possibly removed if very light with the use of chemical peels and other lightening agents."

#10 Stay Out Of The Sun To Keep Freckles At A Minimum

If you want to avoid developing new freckles, there is a simple and affordable technique. All you have to do is use sunscreen daily, per Dr. Papantoniou. That's also smart skincare advice, freckles or not. The less sun hitting the face, the less likely you will earn any more freckles.

#11 Never Cover Freckles With A Full Coverage Foundation

Freckles can be concealed if removing them via a cosmetic treatment isn't an option, or if you don't want to be permanently freckle-free. Makeup artist Samantha Lennon discourages covering up freckles with full-coverage foundation. Instead, she recommends using a tinted moisturizer in a shade that is slightly darker in order "to connect the color of the freckles with the shade of your skin."

#12 A Freckled Face Does Not Limit Your Make-Up Options

While a stippling of freckles adds depth, dimension, and color to one's skin, those with facial freckles needn't worry about not being able to wear all sorts of eyeshadow, blush, or lipstick colors. Lennon explained, "The product colors you choose depends on your overall skin tone and the color of the freckles. I see people with medium-tone complexions and darker freckles and I have worked with lighter-toned complexions with freckles. It's not like a certain cosmetic color palette works for freckles in general. It really depends on skin tone and hair color." She adds that freckles are the new trend and people with them can be beautiful in any type makeup.

#13 Some People Are Getting Freckles Applied To Their Skin

Lennon says that she is seeing more and more famous people come to her studio to have their make-up done professionally and are asking to have fake freckles applied to their cheeks and noses. She says that there are temporary freckles that may be applied by an artist or permanent freckles, or moles like Marilyn Monroe had. She recommends anyone interested try the temporary freckles before committing to them long term.

#14 Freckles Are A Thing Of Beauty

Lennon doesn't prefer to cover up freckles on clients, unless, of course, that's absolutely what they want. There's a two-fold reason for wanting to show off freckles. She said, "Trying to cover up freckles almost always looks obvious and unnatural. They look best when left alone and shine through." She likes to put the natural spots on display because "freckles really are beautiful and can add dimension to your face!"