Freckles are spots of melanin pigment in the skin. They are usually tan or light brown in color, flat, and very small and are usually found in people who are light skinned or have fair complexions. Freckles are often genetically associated with fair hair—blonde and more commonly red—and with light-colored eyes. Freckles are found predominantly on the face but also can appear on any skin that is exposed to sunlight. Freckles rarely are seen on infants and most commonly begin to appear on children before they reach puberty. In adults, most freckles fade with age; the people with the fairest skin often don’t produce enough melanin, so freckles are always present.[17]
Moles, sometimes called beauty marks when found on a woman’s face, are similar to freckles and are brought about by a high concentration of body pigment, or melanin, which is responsible for their dark color. Moles can be either subdermal (below the skin) or appear as a pigmented growth on the skin.[18]