"I heard freckles are something you're born with and can't remove — is that true?"
"Even when I remove them with a laser, they come back once summer comes. Why is that?"
These are the things people looking into freckles bring up most often.
Hello, I'm Director Kwon Si-jin & Yoon Ju-hyun at DA Clinic Myeongdong ^^
We're getting ready to open our doors in Myeongdong soon, and since so many people have been asking about freckles ahead of our opening, we wanted to put together this overview for your information first.
I completely understand how bothersome it is to have freckles that darken and fade with the seasons.
There's a clear reason why they darken again once summer passes, even after you've gone to the trouble of removing them. Let me honestly walk you through why that happens and what you need to keep in mind.
Freckles Come From 'an Inherited Tendency + UV'
Let me clear up one misconception first.
Freckles are pigment that stands out when an inherited tendency to readily produce melanin meets the trigger of UV light.
That's why some people get them easily from a young age, and it's common for others in the family to have something similar.
Changing the inherited tendency itself is difficult, but the pigment that shows on the surface can be gradually smoothed out and lightened with a laser.
Rather than "you can't remove them," it's more accurate to see it as "you manage them and keep them light."
The Real Reason They Darken Every Summer
You really do hear "they come back in summer even after removal" a lot.
Melanin is a pigment made to protect the skin from UV light, so in seasons when the sun is stronger it's naturally produced more actively.
That's why people with freckles sometimes go through a cycle where the color deepens in spring and summer and fades somewhat in autumn and winter.
This is exactly why, even after lightening them with a laser, the color tends to come back up if you're frequently exposed to UV.
In the end, if you neglect sun protection, the effect you worked to tidy up can fade quickly.
The Laser Works by 'Breaking Up the Pigment and Clearing It Out'
Freckles often have their pigment sitting relatively toward the epidermis, so they tend to respond to lasers.
When the laser breaks the pigment into fine particles, your body naturally clears those particles out, and the color fades in the process.
That said, depending on the amount and distribution of pigment, it may be tidied up in a single session, or it may need to be split over several.
For a few days after the treatment, the color may actually look slightly darker or fine scabs may form, but they usually flake off over time as the color fades. (responses vary by individual)
We Don't Recommend One Overly Strong Blast
Some people ask whether they can't just do it strongly in one go to get rid of it quickly.
But if you apply energy that's excessive relative to the pigment, the irritation can trigger a reaction where the pigment actually deepens.
Especially if you push it without managing UV exposure at the same time, far from tidying it up, the color can end up looking duller.
That's why 'a moderate intensity split over sessions + concurrent sun protection' is often safer and gives a more stable result than 'one strong session.'
In These Cases, Take a Closer Look First
Freckle laser treatment isn't casually recommended in every situation.
If your skin is freshly sunburned, if you're taking photosensitizing medication, or if you're pregnant or there's inflammation at the treatment area, it's safer to postpone and consult first.
Also, pigment that looks like freckles but is large or uneven in color may be a different pigmentary condition, so distinguishing it comes before removal.
Even if things look similar on the surface, when the cause is different, the approach differs too.
FAQ
Q. Once I remove freckles, do they stop coming back?
A. It's hard to say freckles won't return just because you've lightened them once. When an inherited tendency to readily produce melanin meets UV light, they can stand out again. So even after smoothing out the surface pigment with a laser, consistent sun protection is important. Rather than a treatment that 'completely removes them and finishes the job,' it's closer to 'protecting the lightened state from UV,' and thinking of it that way tends to be easier on the mind. How well it holds varies by individual depending on lifestyle habits and constitution.
Q. Are blemishes and freckles the same thing?
A. They look similar but are a little different. Freckles are small brown spots that form when an inherited tendency meets UV light; they tend to appear easily from a young age and change color with UV exposure. On the other hand, what people commonly call blemishes often includes pigment from aging or other causes, such as solar lentigines or hyperpigmentation, and it can sometimes reach into deeper layers. Because the laser response and the number of sessions needed differ depending on the type and depth of the pigment, a diagnosis to distinguish what kind of pigment it is comes before removal.
Q. How do I take care of my skin after the treatment?
A. The most important thing is sun protection. If skin irritated by the treatment is frequently exposed to UV light, the pigment can deepen again, so it's best to apply sunscreen thoroughly and also block it with a hat or parasol. Don't force off any fine scabs that form at the treatment area; leaving them to fall away naturally reduces the risk of scarring. Also, hold off for a few days on activities that raise your body heat, like saunas and intense exercise, right after the treatment, and moisturizing thoroughly will help recovery. The pace at which the color fades varies by individual, so there's no need to be impatient.
In closing
If we sum up today's content in one line, it's this.
Freckles stand out when an inherited tendency meets UV light, so the key is to gently lighten them with a laser and maintain that with sun protection.
If you're worn out by freckles that darken every summer, I'd suggest starting with sun protection management together. Please also keep in mind that how much they lighten and how well they hold vary by individual.
This piece isn't one that recommends a treatment; it's an informational article we put together for your information as we prepare to open.
DA Clinic Myeongdong is set to open soon. We'll share news of our opening and treatment information first on our blog and Instagram ^^
Thank you for reading this long piece. This was Director Kwon Si-jin & Yoon Ju-hyun at DA Clinic Myeongdong.
This column is an informational article meant to provide general medical information, and the effects and side effects of treatments may vary by individual. DA Clinic Myeongdong is set to open soon. (Medical Service Act Art. 56)