Is it true that all babies are born without a single freckle?

1 ANSWERS

1. Brett
   

   Babies, of course, can be born with birthmarks and "beauty marks," but it's true that upon entering the world they have no freckles, which the skin produces (using excess pigment) in response to sun exposure. As babies get out in the sun, those with fair complexions and light eyes will be especially prone to developing freckles (and will have a higher likelihood of skin cancer and melanoma later in life). "Those freckles on the redheaded kid's cheeks aren't cute—they're sun damage," says Robin Ashinoff, M.D., director of dermatologic surgery at Hackensack University Medical Center. "And freckles probably also indicate damage to the DNA in your skin cells." Children and adults alike should have their freckles monitored regularly by a dermatologist and vigilantly use sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher.

   Report (0) (0)  |   12 years, 7 month(s) ago