Are There Black People With Freckles

We dug into the facts about skin cancer and people of color, dispelling the top myths and setting the record straight.

Are People of Color at Risk for Skin Cancer?

Maybe you’ve heard it before: “Black people don’t need sunscreen!” Or “People of color aren’t at risk for skin cancer.” But the truth is, if you have skin, you can get skin cancer, regardless of its color. In fact, skin cancer accounts for 1 to 2 percent of all cancers in Black people, 2 to 4 percent in Asian people and 4 to 5 percent in Hispanic people. Yes, those numbers are far lower than they are for white people, but when skin cancer does occur in skin of color, it tends to be diagnosed at a later stage and has a worst prognosis. The estimated five-year melanoma survival rate for Black patients is only 71 percent versus 94 percent for white patients. Plus, unprotected sun exposure can lead to other issues such as unsightly sun damage.

We dug into the facts about skin cancer and people of color, dispelling the top myths and setting the record straight.

First, a Primer on Skin Tone

Where does skin get its color? If you said, “from melanin,” you’d be correct, but it’s not that simple. All skin tones produce melanin, and it’s a complex system that varies from person to person. The process starts inside a melanocyte, a pigment-producing cell (these are also the cells from which melanoma arises); only it’s not the number of melanocytes you have that determines your specific skin tone. Instead, it’s partly the type of melanin these cells produce. It’s also the size and distribution of melanosomes, which are like little packages of melanin made by the melanocytes that then carry the melanin to other skin cells.

Melanocytes produce eumelanin, which gives skin and hair brown and black pigment, and pheomelanin, a type that appears red and yellow. The ratio of eumelanin to pheomelanin determines your skin color, and that can vary greatly. Those with darker skin are genetically predisposed to produce more eumelanin, the type that provides at least some protection against ultraviolet (UV) damage. Those with light skin typically have more pheomelanin, which doesn’t offer UV protection. Several factors influence how much melanin your cells produce, including UV exposure, hormones, genes and inflammation.

Once the melanin is made, it’s stored inside the melanosomes. The melanosomes then travel up through the melanocyte cell and transfer to keratinocytes, another type of skin cell, via dendrites (think one-way passages between cells). The newly pigmented keratinocytes then make their way to up to the skin’s surface, creating your unique skin tone. Darker skin tones have larger melanosomes spread out inside the cell (which translates to evenly distributed melanin on the skin’s surface). People with lighter skin tones tend to have smaller melanosomes clustered together. That’s why some people get spotty bits of melanin, aka freckles, after sun exposure.

Common Myths About Skin Cancer and People of Color

One of the main culprits of skin cancer is exposure to UV radiation from the sun or indoor tanning. UV rays can damage the DNA in skin cells in the epidermis (the outermost layer of skin), triggering mutations that cause skin cells to multiply and form malignant tumors. Many assume that skin of color has protection against this type of damage. While that’s partially true (as you’ve just learned above), it’s not enough to fully protect your cells and the protection level varies depending on your skin tone. Read on for more on this misconception — and others surrounding skin of color and skin cancer.

Myth: Skin cancer in dark skin isn’t caused by the sun.

Fact: Melanoma in dark skin is more likely to appear where the sun doesn’t shine, such as the palms of the hands and soles of the feet, especially with acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM), a rare and aggressive type of skin cancer that often appears on those areas. However, squamous cell carcinoma, the most common type of skin cancer in Black patients, is highly linked to UV exposure. Plus, skin tone is not the only risk factor: genetics, gender, age, certain medications and medical conditions play a role in determining your individual risk for developing skin cancer, too. “Every person of every race needs a full skin check from head to toe every year to see if they have any suspicious lesions,” says Jeanine B. Downie, MD, a dermatologist in private practice in Montclair, New Jersey. They should also check their skin regularly for anything new, changing or unusual and alert their dermatologist as soon as possible.

Myth: Darker skin tones provide natural sun protection.

Fact: “There’s a false belief that melanin is more protective than it really is,” says Dr. Downie. As mentioned, eumelanin, the type of melanin that’s predominant in skin of color, does absorb some of the ultraviolet (UV) rays that hit the skin, which may allow more leeway in the sun. But the darkest skin tone only provides the equivalent of SPF 13 — not high enough for sunscreen to earn The Skin Cancer Foundation Seal of Recommendation for safe and effective sun protection.

Myth: People of color don’t need to worry about getting sunburned.

Fact: While skin of color may not show the visible redness of a burn, it does, in fact, burn in the sun. Your skin may darken, feel warm to the touch, crack or eventually blister. Plus, the inflammatory response from the burn can trigger hyperpigmentation (dark spots).

Myth: Sun protection isn’t necessary for skin of color.

Fact: Sun damage that may look like freckles or a tan in light-colored skin may look like dark spots and uneven skin tone in skin of color. We now know that the visible light portion of the solar spectrum can intensify hyperpigmentation and other skin problems such as melasma in skin of color. “It’s a condition that’s very unsightly and can be psychologically disturbing,” says Henry W. Lim, MD, a dermatologist at the Henry Ford Medical Center in Detroit, Michigan, and a long-time member of The Skin Cancer Foundation’s Photobiology Committee. “It often takes months to resolve, even while using bleaching creams. It’s not a disease, but for the sake or patients’ well-being, we need to minimize it.”

Using a broader-spectrum sunscreen tinted with iron oxide can reduce these risks and help the product blend into the skin. These products are now widely available. Covering up with sun-protective clothing, hats and sunglasses can help skin of any color look its best.

The Bottom Line?

People of color may be less susceptible to skin cancer, but there’s still a risk. Plus, all skin tones are vulnerable to sun damage. Your best bet, regardless of your skin color, is to apply sunscreen to exposed skin and practice sun-smart behavior: wearing protective clothing and accessories and seeking shade whenever possible.

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Are There Black People With Freckles?

When you think about freckles, what do you think of? Fair-skinned children whose mothers slather sunblock on them? Bright, shocking red hair? Maybe even Pippi Longstocking?

As a beauty feature, freckles are commonly associated with fair-skinned people, leading to the question: “Can black people have freckles?”

The answer is yes—there are many black people with freckles, as well as people with other skin tones who have freckles, too.

In this article, I’ll break down what causes freckles and who has them. I’ll also provide images of black people with freckles to demonstrate the different skin tones that have freckles.

Can Black People Have Freckles? 3 Examples of Freckles on a Black Person

Check out these three images to see examples of how freckles look on a black person.

What Are Freckles?

Freckles, also known as ephelides, are clusters of melanized skin. Freckles have melanocytes (melanin-producing cells) that overproduce melanin granules which change the color of outer skin cells.

What does that mean? Basically, freckles are bunched-up clusters of melanin-producing cells. When UV rays hit these bunched-up clusters of cells, they’ll darken in color, changing the pigment of small parts of your skin. Freckles are triggered by sunlight, meaning that they develop as you grow and expose your skin to the sun.

Because freckles appear after exposure to sun, many people associate them with sun damage. However, freckles are actually not related to sun damage at all. Freckles can, though, disguise lentigo, or sun spots, which can be a sign of cancer. Regardless of your skin tone and the presence of freckles, you should always protect your skin with a broad spectrum UVA/UVB sunscreen that’s SPF 30 or higher.

Not just anyone can have freckles. In order to have freckles, you must have a variation of the MC1R gene. People of all heritages and skin tones can have this genetic mutation.

Why Are Freckles More Commonly Associated With Fair Skin?

If there are black people with freckles, why are freckles so predominantly associated with people with fair skin? Why aren’t there many examples of black people with freckles?

The answer lies in genetics.

The variation of the MC1R gene that causes freckles is passed down genetically. People of Celtic heritage, who typically have very fair hair and skin, are more likely to have this genetic mutation than other groups. However, people of African, Mediterranean, Asian, and Hispanic descent can also have freckles. The genetic mutation simply isn’t as common in these groups as it is in groups of Celtic descent, so you don’t see as many Asian or black people with freckles.

Can Freckles Disappear?

Just as freckles appear in the light, they can fade in the lack of sun exposure. Many people whose freckles appear during the summer often watch those same freckles fade over the winter.

On the other hand, there are plenty of people whose freckles stay year-round after they first appear. Every person’s freckles are slightly different.

4 Tips for Taking Care of Skin with Freckles

While freckles aren’t associated with skin damage, they can make you more prone to getting other, malignant types of skin conditions. Follow these four tips to take care of your skin if you have freckles.

#1: Always Wear Sunscreen

Both fair skinned and black people with freckles (and really everyone) should always wear sunscreen. Look for a broad spectrum UVA/UVB sunscreen that’s SPF 30 or higher.

If you’re trying to limit the appearance of freckles, sunscreen will help guard your skin from the UV rays that cause freckles to appear. Sunscreen will also help prevent dangerous skin damage.

#2: Visit a Dermatologist

If you freckle easily, your skin will also be more prone to skin cancer and sun damage. You should visit a dermatologist at least once a year to receive a skin cancer screening. Some types of skin cancer look like freckles, so it’s important to visit a doctor who can help you tell the difference.

#3: Perform Monthly Self-Examinations

Just like women should perform monthly breast self exams, people with freckles should perform monthly skin exams.

You don’t have to do anything fancy for a skin exam—simply make note of the freckles, moles, and other skin markings you have. The more aware you are of your body, the more likely you are to notice when something has appeared or changed.

#4: Exfoliate

Exfoliating helps remove dead skin cells and allows for healthy skin turnover. Exfoliating will help remove dead, dull-looking skin and help your other skin care products, like sunscreen and moisturizers, work better.

Recap: Can Black People Have Freckles?

Freckles are caused by a variation on the MC1R gene—and anyone, with any skin color or heritage, can have them.

Freckles are clusters of melanin-producing cells that appear when exposed to UV rays. If you have freckles, it’s important to take good care of your skin by using sunscreen to prevent from sun damage.