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Freckle

 
Freckle

 
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Freckle
 
 
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Freckles are clusters of concentrated melanin
Melanin

Melanin is a class of compounds found in the plant, animal, and protista kingdom , where it serves predominantly as a pigment. The class of pigments are derivatives of the amino acid tyrosine....
 which are most often visible on people with a fair complexion
Complexion

Complexion refers to the natural color, texture, and appearance of the skin, especially that of the face. The word is derived from the Late Latin complexi, which initially referred in general terms to a combination of things, and later in physiological terms, to the balance of humors....
. A freckle is also called an "ephelis."

kles can be found on anyone no matter the background, however, having freckles is gene
Gene

A gene is the basic unit of heredity in a living organism. All living things depend on genes. Genes hold the information to build and maintain their cell and pass genetic trait to offspring....
tic and is related to the presence of the dominant melanocortin-1 receptor MC1R
Melanocortin 1 receptor

The melanocortin 1 receptor is one of the key proteins in regulating hair and skin color. A member of the G-protein-coupled receptor family of proteins, it functions at the surface of specialist pigment producing cells to regulate Melanogenesis#Melanogenesis in mammals....
 gene variant.






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Encyclopedia


Freckles are clusters of concentrated melanin
Melanin

Melanin is a class of compounds found in the plant, animal, and protista kingdom , where it serves predominantly as a pigment. The class of pigments are derivatives of the amino acid tyrosine....
 which are most often visible on people with a fair complexion
Complexion

Complexion refers to the natural color, texture, and appearance of the skin, especially that of the face. The word is derived from the Late Latin complexi, which initially referred in general terms to a combination of things, and later in physiological terms, to the balance of humors....
. A freckle is also called an "ephelis."

Biology

Freckled
Freckles can be found on anyone no matter the background, however, having freckles is gene
Gene

A gene is the basic unit of heredity in a living organism. All living things depend on genes. Genes hold the information to build and maintain their cell and pass genetic trait to offspring....
tic and is related to the presence of the dominant melanocortin-1 receptor MC1R
Melanocortin 1 receptor

The melanocortin 1 receptor is one of the key proteins in regulating hair and skin color. A member of the G-protein-coupled receptor family of proteins, it functions at the surface of specialist pigment producing cells to regulate Melanogenesis#Melanogenesis in mammals....
 gene variant. The formation of freckles is triggered by exposure to sunlight
Sunlight

Sunlight, in the broad sense, is the total spectroscopy of the electromagnetic radiation given off by the Sun. On Earth, sunlight is Filter ed through the Earth's atmosphere, and the solar radiation is obvious as daylight when the Sun is above the horizon....
. The exposure to UV-B radiation activates melanocytes to increase the melanin production, which causes freckles to become darker.

Freckles are predominantly found on the face, although they may appear on any skin exposed to the sun. Freckles are rare on infant
Infant

An infant or baby is the term used to refer to the young offspring of humans....
s, and more common on child
Child

A child is a human being between the stages of birth and puberty. The legal definition of "child" generally refers to a minor , otherwise known as a person younger than the age of majority....
ren before puberty
Puberty

Puberty refers to the process of physical changes by which a child's body becomes an adult body capable of reproduction. Puberty is initiated by hormone signals from the brain to the gonads ....
; they are less common on adult
Adult

The term adult has at least three distinct meanings. It can indicate a biologically grown or mature person. It may also mean a plant, animal, or person who has reached full growth or alternatively is capable of reproduction, or a person who has attained the legally fixed age of majority; as opposed to a minor....
s.

Upon exposure to the sun, freckles will reappear if they have been altered with creams
Cream (pharmaceutical)

A cream is a topical preparation usually for application to the skin. Creams for application to mucus membranes such as those of the rectum or vagina are also used....
 or laser
Laser

A laser is a device that emits light through a process called stimulated emission. The term laser is an acronym for light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation....
s and not protected from the sun, but do however fade with age in some cases. Freckles are not a skin disorder. People with freckles usually have a lower concentration of photoprotective melanin and are therefore more susceptible to the harmful effects of UV-radiation. An overexposure of UV-radiation should be avoided. Sunscreen
Sunscreen

Sunscreen is a lotion, spray, gel or other topical product that absorbs or reflects the sun's ultraviolet radiation and protects the skin.Sunscreens contain one or more UV filters of which there are three main types :...
 has been suggested.

Types of freckles

Ephelides is a genetic trait. It’s used to describe a freckle that is flat, light brown or red, and fades in the winter. Ephelides are more common in those with light complexions, although are found on people with a variety of skin tones. The regular use of sunblock can inhibit their development.

Liver spots (also known as sun spots and Lentigines) are freckles that sometimes do not fade in the winter. Rather, they form after years of exposure to the sun. Lentigines are more common in older people.

See also

  • Red hair
    Red hair

    Red hair varies from a deep orange-red through orange #Burnt orange to bright copper . It is characterized by high levels of the reddish pigment Melanin#Melanin in humans and relatively low levels of the dark pigment Melanin#Melanin in humans....
  • Beauty mark
    Beauty mark

    File:Marilyn by Bottelho.jpgA beauty mark or beauty spot is a dark facial Mole , so named because such moles have at times been considered an attractive feature....
  • Mole (skin marking)
    Mole (skin marking)

    A melanocytic nevus is a type of lesion that contains nevus cells.Some sources equate the term "mole" with "melanocytic nevus". Other sources reserve the term "mole" for other purposes....
  • List of Mendelian traits in humans
    List of Mendelian traits in humans

    Several inheritable traits or congenital conditions in humans are classical examples of Mendelian inheritance: Their presence is controlled by a single gene that can either be of the Dominance relationship...
  • Sunscreen
    Sunscreen

    Sunscreen is a lotion, spray, gel or other topical product that absorbs or reflects the sun's ultraviolet radiation and protects the skin.Sunscreens contain one or more UV filters of which there are three main types :...


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