Why are freckles called ephelides ?
FRECKLES : Freckles clusters of concentrated melaninized cells which are most easily visible on people with a fair complexion . Freckles do not have an increased number of the melanin-producing cells, or malanocytes , but instead have melanocytes that overproduce melanin granules changing the coloration of the outer skin cells . As such, freckles are different from lentigines and moles which are caused by accumulation of melanocytes in a small area. Freckles can appear on all types of skin tones. WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF FRECKLES ? Ephelides are an inherited characteristic. People with many ephelides have at least one copy of a variant MC1R gene, which is the same variant that causes red hair. Freckles in non-Caucasians are associated with a different variant of the gene. The pigment -forming cells, melanocytes , produce more pigment than usual in ephelides. The pigment is packaged as...