Ask the Doc: Freckles & Sunspots
Ask the Doc: Freckles & Sunspots – Freckles and sunspots appear in multitudes after a summer in the sun. Do they increase your risk for skin cancer? Get answers from Dr. Friedman in this video.
Expert: Adam Friedman, MD, FAAD Assistant Professor of Dermatology, Director of Dermatologic Research, Associate Residency Program Director, Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Transcript
Q: Do the freckles and sunspots you get after a sunburn turn into skin cancer?
A: This is a good question and really requires some definitions.
So sunspots or lentigines occur after many years of being in the sun. Typically what is happening here are the pigment cells or melanocytes are getting much larger. These typically do not turn to skin cancers, nor do freckles or ephelides. This is not an increase in size of the melanocyte, rather it’s the increase of pigment production. This is why they tend to fade during the wintertime, whereas sunspots do not.
Now any sun-exposed area that has repeated sun exposure is at potential risk for skin cancer. It is important to look for warning size, such as change in size, color or if the area becomes itchy or painful or even breaks open and starts to bleed. If any of these problems have happen make sure to go see a dermatologist immediately.
Last Modified: 2012-06-19
Category: Health and Nutrition, Videos
