Freckles Removal Singapore
Freckles are small, flat, light-brown spots on sun-exposed skin. They are caused by extra melanin production rather than extra pigment cells, which is why they darken in the sun and fade when you stay out of it.
They are harmless. Most people who want them treated want them lighter rather than gone, and that is achievable with the right laser settings for your skin tone.
Dr Ang Sue-May assesses the pigmentation type first, because sun spots, freckles and early melasma can look similar and respond differently.
Freckles, Sun Spots or Melasma?
Freckles (Ephelides)
Freckles are small, flat, light-brown spots that appear on sun-exposed skin, particularly in individuals with fair complexions. They are caused by an increase in melanin production in response to UV exposure but do not represent an increase in melanocyte numbers. Freckles are entirely benign and typically fade during periods of reduced sun exposure.
Sun spots (solar lentigines)
Larger, more defined, and they do not fade in winter or with sun avoidance. They appear with cumulative sun exposure rather than in childhood.
Melasma
Symmetrical patches rather than distinct spots, usually across the cheeks and upper lip, driven by hormones as well as sun. Treated very differently, and easily worsened by aggressive laser.
What Freckles Look Like
Small, flat, light-brown macules on sun-exposed areas: face, shoulders and arms
More common in fair skin, but they occur across all skin tones
Darker in the sun, lighter with reduced exposure
Flat to the touch, with no change in skin texture
Causes & Contributing Factors
Genetic Factors
Freckles have a strong genetic component. People with fair skin, red or blonde hair and light eyes are more prone to them.
UV Exposure
Sun exposure triggers freckle formation and darkens existing freckles. The tendency itself is inherited, but how visible they are is driven by how much sun you get.
Freckle Treatment at Skincodes
Pico laser
Targeted laser energy to break down excess pigment.
More about pico laser at Pico Laser
Chemical peels
To promote even skin tone and reduce superficial pigmentation.
Prescription skincare
Including retinoids and pigment-regulating agents.
Sun protection counselling
Essential for preventing new freckle formation and darkening of existing ones.
What to Expect
Freckles lighten across a course of sessions rather than clearing in one.
They come back with sun exposure. The tendency is genetic and laser does not change it, so sun protection is what holds the result.
Settings are matched to your skin tone. In deeper skin tones an over-aggressive setting can leave darker marks than the freckles it was treating.
Related at Skincodes
Common Questions About Freckles
Can freckles be removed permanently?
Not permanently. Laser lightens them, and they come back with sun exposure because the tendency to freckle is genetic. Consistent sun protection is what holds the result.
Are freckles harmful?
No. Freckles are harmless. What is worth checking is anything that looks like a freckle but is changing, growing, or sitting on its own away from the others.
What is the difference between freckles and sun spots?
Freckles appear in childhood, sit on sun-exposed skin, and fade when you stay out of the sun. Sun spots come with years of accumulated sun exposure, are larger and more defined, and do not fade.
Is laser safe for freckles on Asian skin?
Yes, when the settings match the skin tone. In deeper skin an over-aggressive setting can leave post-inflammatory marks darker than what was being treated, which is why the assessment comes first.
How many sessions will I need?
It depends on how many freckles there are and how dark they sit. Dr Ang gives a realistic number at the consultation.
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