A freckle is essentially nothing more than an unusually heavy deposit of melanin at one spot in the skin. Melanin is produced by cells called melanocytes. A pigment-producing cell located in the basal layer of the epidermis.
The word freckle comes from the Middle English freken, which, in turn, came from the Old Norse freknur, meaning "freckled." (Speakers of Old English languages and Old Norse must have had a tendency to develop freckles.)
The most famous line in poetry pertaining to a Freckle "...'Tis but a freckle, never mind it.' by Oliver Wendell Holmes.
Top ways to avoid damage to skin already with freckles are sun avoidance: avoidance of the peak sun hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.,seeking shade and staying indoors.sun-protection, including use of sunscreens with SPF (sun protection factor) 50, use of wide-brimmed hats (6 inches), use of sun-protective clothing (shirts, long sleeves, long pants).
A freckles is inherited by individuals with fair skin and/or with blond or red hair
Anyone who has one or more uncertain pigmented spots should have their dermatologist evaluate them
