Freckles occur in people with heritage from around the world. Because they're often seen in people with red hair, freckles are commonly associated with Ireland and Scotland, where this hair color is common as well. But anyone can get freckles.
While it's true that such a mutation in people of Celtic heritage causes the stereotypical dot-dot-dots in fair redheads, variations of the MC1R gene lead to freckles in Chinese, Japanese, French, Mediterranean, Israeli, and certain African ethnic groups as well, explains Sharma.
Freckles are extremely common and aren't a health threat. They're more often seen in the summer. You're more likely to have freckles if you're lighter-skinned and have blond or red hair. However, freckles can occur in anyone, and appear as darker brown spots if you have darker skin.
Freckles often show up during childhood, and you may continue to get more until you're in your 20s. People with fair skin or red hair are most likely to have them. There are two types of freckles: ephelides and solar lentigines. Although both are flat spots, they're different in a few ways.
The presence of freckles is related to rare alleles of the MC1R gene, though it does not differentiate whether an individual will have freckles if they have one or even two copies of this gene. Also, individuals with no copies of the MC1R do sometimes display freckles.
Although freckles are hereditary, they are activated by sun exposure. If someone that has the freckle gene (MC1R), they must spend time in the sun in order to produce freckles. A person without the freckles genes will not produce freckles regardless of if they are in the sun or not.
For some people, it also brings out their freckles—those flat, brownish marks on the skin that are about 1-2 millimeters in diameter. These little spots tend to run in families, which suggests that freckles can be inherited.
Genetics and sun exposure are the primary causes of freckles. Some people are more likely to get freckles than others, depending on their genes and skin type. If a person is genetically more likely to develop freckles, exposure to sunlight can make them appear.
Freckles tend to run in families. People (especially kids) who have fair complexions are most likely to freckle.
Freckle-faced folk also have a special gene that our even-skinned counterparts do not, the MC1R gene, which balances skin pigment. While freckles are fabulous, they haven't always been considered the trademark of a gorgeous person.
Whether or not you have freckles depends on the combination of the freckle (F) and non-freckle (f) versions of MC1R you have. Both FF and Ff people have freckles. What this means is that anyone with at least one copy of the freckle version (F) will have freckles. This is why having freckles is a dominant trait.
Ever wonder why someone might have a face full of freckles, but no one else in their immediate family seems to have any? This is another case of a recessive trait that can skip a generation, or two. Generally, freckles appear in people with very fair complexions and light hair.
Evolutionary Relevance of Freckles
There appears to be an evolutionary purpose for freckles in humans. People who lived in places with higher sun exposure had a darker skin color. This is due to the excess production of melanin, which protects the skin from the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation (UVR).
Why do Irish people have a lot of freckles? Variations in the MC1R (melanocortin 1 receptor) gene involved in melanin production have been linked to freckles in people of European descent, while a 2004 study of Chinese subjects mapped another freckle gene to chromosome 4q32-q34.
Freckles often fade or disappear with age, while solar lentigines become more common as people get older. You can help keep freckles from getting darker, and reduce the likelihood that more will appear, by taking steps to shield your skin from sunlight, especially during the summer months.
Freckles are an inherited feature and although not considered sun damage, they do occur as a result of sun exposure. Freckles are typically first noticed on children, especially those with fair skin and red hair. When UV rays hit your skin, freckles develop from an increase in dark pigments called melanin.
Freckles tend to make a face look younger and are the ultimate anti-aging tool,” makeup artist Mira Parmar explains. To enhance your own freckles, you can darken them or add a few more to even out a particular parts of your face.
Although freckles are hereditary, they are activated by sun exposure. If someone that has the freckle gene (MC1R), they must spend time in the sun in order to produce freckles. A person without the freckles genes will not produce freckles regardless of if they are in the sun or not.
Freckles tend to run in families. People (especially kids) who have fair complexions are most likely to freckle.
Freckles are an inherited feature and although not considered sun damage, they do occur as a result of sun exposure. Freckles are typically first noticed on children, especially those with fair skin and red hair. When UV rays hit your skin, freckles develop from an increase in dark pigments called melanin.
Whether or not you have freckles depends on the combination of the freckle (F) and non-freckle (f) versions of MC1R you have. Both FF and Ff people have freckles. What this means is that anyone with at least one copy of the freckle version (F) will have freckles. This is why having freckles is a dominant trait.
For some people, it also brings out their freckles—those flat, brownish marks on the skin that are about 1-2 millimeters in diameter. These little spots tend to run in families, which suggests that freckles can be inherited.
Genetics and sun exposure are the primary causes of freckles. Some people are more likely to get freckles than others, depending on their genes and skin type. If a person is genetically more likely to develop freckles, exposure to sunlight can make them appear.
Freckles are associated with a variant of a gene called MC1R. MC1R alerts the body when exposed to harmful UV radiation is taking place. This is a dominant gene, meaning anyone with at least one copy of the freckle variant from either parent will have freckles.
Freckle-faced folk also have a special gene that our even-skinned counterparts do not, the MC1R gene, which balances skin pigment. While freckles are fabulous, they haven't always been considered the trademark of a gorgeous person.