Pigmentation is a common symptom of sun damage.

Freckles are flat, circular spots that develop randomly on the skin and can vary in colour, from red, yellow, tan, light-brown, brown to black but always darker than the skin around them since they are due to deposits of the dark pigment called melanin. There are two basic types of freckles; the ephelides and lentigines.

Ephelides (singular: ephelis; Greek word for freckle) are flat spots that are red or light-brown and typically appear during the sunny months and fade in the winter. Often found in people with light complexions, ephelides can also "run in the family", an hereditary or genetic trait. To suppress the appearance of the ephelis-type freckle, use sunblock during times of sun exposure.

Lentigines (singular: lentigo; Latin word for lentil) are spots that develop and do not fade. They are often tan, brown, or black, and tend to be darker than an ephelis-type freckle.

The lentigines that develop in older adults are often called "age spots" or "liver spots". While freckles do tend to appear over time, they are not in themselves a sign of old age. Instead, they appear on sun-exposed areas in people who have a genetic tendency to develop them.

Sometimes, older people who have these lentigo-type freckles also have raised, crusty lesions called seborrheic keratoses which are benign growths of the skin. They can range anywhere from light tan to black and from 1 cm to 2.5 cm in diameter. The tell-tale feature of seborrheic keratoses is their waxy look. They look like they have either been pasted on the skin or may look like a drop of melted brown candle wax. Seborrheic keratoses may occur in the same areas as freckles but since they are not caused by sunlight, they can also be found on covered areas. When they first appear, the growths usually begin one at a time as small rough bumps. Eventually, they thicken and develop into a rough, warty surface.

While common, these blemishes need not fetter you and your lifestyle. Break free and enjoy clear and even-tone skin. Help is available at LinC through Laser Therapeutics treatments where pigmentation removal can be accomplished via CO2 laser and infra-red lasers.

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