What should you know about developing freckles?

Freckles, also called ephelides, are flat tan to brown marks produced by increased melanin activity. They commonly appear on sun-exposed areas such as the face, shoulders, chest, and arms. They may darken during brighter seasons and fade when ultraviolet exposure decreases. Family tendency and lighter skin can make freckles more noticeable.

Not every new brown mark is a freckle. A mole, lentigo, or another pigmented lesion can look similar without close examination. A spot that is unlike the others, grows, develops several colours, bleeds, crusts, or becomes persistently itchy needs a clinician’s review rather than cosmetic treatment first.

Use shade, protective clothing, a hat, and broad-spectrum sunscreen on exposed skin. Avoid tanning devices and do not pick or scrub pigmented spots. Take clear photographs in consistent lighting so you can notice genuine change, and arrange a skin examination if a mark is new or difficult to distinguish.

If a clinician confirms freckles and you want to reduce their appearance, options may include an [IPL Photofacial](/treatments/laser-and-energy/ipl-photofacial/) or [Picosecond Laser Treatment](/treatments/laser-and-energy/picosecond-laser-treatment/). These procedures can require several visits and may cause temporary redness or pigment changes, particularly in more deeply pigmented skin.

Book a dermatology assessment for a spot that changes in size, outline, colour, surface, or sensation. Seek prompt care for bleeding without a clear injury, repeated crusting, a sore that does not heal, or a rapidly changing mark. Cosmetic light treatment should wait until a clinician is satisfied that the lesion is suitable.

Does this mark look like a freckle or another pigmented lesion? Do I need monitoring or removal before considering light treatment? Which option fits my skin tone, and how should I protect the area afterward?