thread: Freckles on young skin

  1. #1
    Registered User

    Jun 2010
    Tiny Town
    4,675

    Freckles on young skin

    DD is 2.5 and already has a few freckles. There's a tiny one under her eye, one right up on her upper thigh (this was her first one and that patch of skin had never seen the sun before!) and a couple of others now on her arms and legs. She spends a fair bit of time outside and always wears sunscreen and appropriate clothes, but her skin has still gotten a tiny bit darker (still quite white though) and she's got these freckles.

    Do I need to worry about them? They're tiny. I suspect it's because she's got my olive skin, she's never even come close to burning but when I look at her legs now they're a bit brown. I go brown quickly with just a bit of sun, even when wearing sunscreen and I have freckles on my arms and legs too, so I'm thinking she's just the same.

    But isn't she a bit young for freckles? DS already has darker skin than her naturally so is he going to get even more? Should I just keep them well out of the sun altogether?

  2. #2
    Registered User

    Jan 2011
    2,075

    Re: Freckles on young skin

    My dd got her first one before she was 1. Now she has 3. I have quite a few (thank you dad!) so I assumed the poor thing takes after me. My dd's the same as yours, never has been burnt and 1 is on her hip where it has never seen the sun.

    I'd be interested if anyone knows more too

  3. #3
    Moderator

    Dec 2006
    Smidgen-ville
    3,736

    Re: Freckles on young skin

    When I had my latest mole check done I spoke to the dr at the clinic about the kids ones. He said that freckles are a result of sun exposure. Not bad, not good, just a fact. Skin type/colour of course plays a role.
    Slowly but surely my boys are getting more and more. They are sunscreened a lot but some sun exposure is a good thing too. Be as careful as you can with their skin, but accept that it is inevitable.
    I just hope that what I know now is going to benefit them later - and they'll have a few less freckles than me.

  4. #4
    Registered User

    Jun 2010
    Tiny Town
    4,675

    Re: Freckles on young skin

    Yeah it gets me worried because I have three moles that I get checked every year. I don't want them to have to get yearly checks worrying about skin cancer. I'll just be extra careful with them and keep up the sunscreen. Good thing DD loves the stuff lol

  5. #5
    2014 BellyBelly RAK Recipient.

    Aug 2010
    Over the hills and far away
    1,698

    Re: Freckles on young skin

    It's just melanin, nothing to worry about. I'm covered in freckles I call the sun kisses, and I have a few that have never seen sunlight. I've gotten more with pg too, which is apparently normal. But do remember that not even clothes fully stop uv penetration. So when it's really sunny it's best to seek shade, and only get sun exposure when uv rays are lower

    Freckles tend to be different to moles as well.

  6. #6
    Registered User

    Dec 2006
    In my own private paradise
    15,272

    Re: Freckles on young skin

    Dd has a smattering of freckles on her face. A very generous smattering
    She is a fair skinned ranga and has always always worn sunscreen outside when working/playing. And a hat. But sometimes she will be in the car and get a bit of sun exposure that is unexpected. Or a bit of wind in her face. I know its inevitable given her skin coloring. All I can do is keep preventative action happening. I can't stop her gettingn sun exposure I can only try and keep her safe from nasty levels kwim?

  7. #7
    Registered User

    May 2007
    3,220

    Re: Freckles on young skin

    Yep my kids are exactly the same as BG's DD. Except they have all the ranga features minus the red hair! They have heaps of freckles. Light coloured as expected to see on red heads.
    I just make sure they have the best sun protection possible for the situation. Ie- long sleeved rashies, sunscreen, hats, sunglasses etc....