The Fake Freckle Trend: What You Should Know About Your Spots
As a BOTOX® Cosmetic specialist in Albuquerque, I make an effort to always keep up with the latest cosmetic and beauty trends. But there are some fads that just make me scratch my head, and one of them is happening this fall. Even some in the fashion industry were surprised by the practice of using fake freckles to create a youthful glow. Some say this bold trick works because it creates an illusion that you’re not wearing much makeup, if any at all.
While freckles are often perceived as a sign of youth, as evidenced by this fake freckle trend, the spots that appear on our faces as we age tell a different story! My skin care patients in Albuquerque are often curious about the difference in their freckles and those pesky age or sun spots. Here’s a quick explanation:
- A freckle, also known as an ephelis, is defined as a small, brownish spot in the skin caused by a concentration of melanin. If you have them, then you know freckles tend to get darker after exposure to sunlight. They’re most commonly seen on people who have fair complexions, but just about anyone, regardless of age or genetic background, can have freckles.
- So-called age spots or liver spots are flat spots that are typically bigger than freckles but that come in a variety of sizes. Unlike freckles, which appear in people of all ages, sun spots tend to appear as a sign of aging in areas that have been exposed to the sun over the years.
Neither age spots nor freckles are harmful, but if you are susceptible to them it probably means you are more at risk for sun damage. Though age spots are not worrisome from a health standpoint, many people find them to be unsightly and visit my med spa in Albuquerque to treat them. Unlike with freckles, they certainly aren’t looking to “fake” them! For this, I usually recommend intense pulsed light (IPL) treatments, which reduce signs of skin damage and other skin imperfections, including age and liver spots. These treatments are gentle and do not require downtime. Many of my patients like to combine IPL treatments with BOTOX injections in order to take even more years off the clock!
Would you try the fake freckle trend? Weigh in by leaving a comment on my Facebook Page!
