What is Freckle?
A freckle (ephelis or age spot) is an increase in pigment in
the basal layer of the epidermis. People aren't born with
freckles, but They develop it in childhood and in later years
as a result of repeated sun exposure.This happens because
melanin absorbs the energy of the sun's harmful ultraviolet
rays in order to protect he skin from overexposure. The usual
result of this process is skin tanning, which tends to darken
areas that are already hyperpigmented. Freckles occur primarily
in sun-exposed areas such as the nose and shoulders.Freckles
are especially common in people with fair complexions. Heredity
likely also influences freckling.
Freckles are superficial and usually don't need removal.
They're not associated with cancer. But people with fair
complexions are at increased risk of skin cancer if exposed to
excessive sun exposure.
Prevention:
Wearing a sunscreen is a must. The sunscreen must be "broad
spectrum" (i.e. it blocks both ultraviolet A and B).
Stay out of the sun as much as possible.
Wear protective clothing and use sunscreen when you are outside
Most prescription creams used to lighten the skin contain
hydroquinone. Bleaches lighten and fade darkened skin patches
by slowing the production of melanin so those dark spots
gradually fade to match normal skin coloration. Prescription
bleaches contain twice the amount of hydroquinone as
over-the-counter skin bleaches. In more severe cases
prescription creams with tretinoin and a cortisone cream may be
used. These may be somewhat irritating to sensitive skin and
will take 3-6 months to produce improvement.
Laser treatment:
The q-switched ruby and other
pigmented lesion lasers often remove pigment without scarring.
What is Laser?
Laser stands for Light Amplification by the Stimulated Emission
of Radiation(LASER).
A laser is a light beam that can be precisely focused. It is
used to treat tissues by heating the targeted cells until they
"burst". It may also be used for cosmetic purposes, including
removal of wrinkles, tattoos, or birthmarks.
There are several types of lasers, including the carbon
dioxide (CO2) laser, the YAG (yttrium aluminum
garnet) laser, and the pulsed dye laser. Each laser has
specific uses. The color of the light beam used is directly
related to the type of procedure being performed and the color
of the tissue being treated.
Laser may be used to:
Remove tumors
Seal small blood vessels
Seal lymph vessels to reduce swelling and decrease the spread
of tumor cells
Seal nerve endings to reduce postoperative pain
Remove warts, moles, and tattoos
Reduce the appearance of skin wrinkles
Remove hair
Possible side effects of
laser therapy:
Bleeding
Infection
Pain
Scaring
Skin color changes
