What Are Freckles?
Freckles are tiny dots of color on the skin. They can be light brown, dark brown, reddish, or even golden. Most freckles show up on places where the sun touches your skin the most, like your face, arms, and shoulders.
Freckles aren’t bumps or something you can feel—they’re just spots of color! And guess what? They don’t hurt or cause any problems. They’re just part of what makes someone special!
Hello my friends!
For a quick note, welcome to Tidbits with Titus, a podcast and newsletter where we tackle the big, curious questions kids ask every day in fun, bite-sized ways! I’m Alexander Titus, but I go by Titus. I’m a scientist, adventurer, and a huge fan of making science, technology, and life accessible to all ages. From “How does electricity work?” to “What are taxes?” and even “Why is the sky blue?” I’m here to dive into these wonder-filled questions with engaging stories and simple explanations that spark curiosity and make learning a joy. This effort is all about creating a space where families can learn together, discover the magic of the every day, and find thoughtful ways to explore the world’s big mysteries. Let’s make curiosity a family tradition—one tidbit at a time!
Just so you know, these podcast episodes are all AI-generated using Google’s really cool NotebookLM technology. That means there are some errors in how words are said, but that is part of the fun!
If your little ones have questions that you want help answering, shoot me an email at questions@tidbitswithtitus.com and I’ll see what I can do!
You can subscribe to the newsletter that has this information as well at tidbitswithtitus.com.
Also please share with anyone you think would be interested. The more the merrier!
Cheers,
-Titus
What Makes Freckles Appear?
Freckles are caused by something called melanin.
What Is Melanin?
Melanin is a natural pigment (a type of color) in our skin, hair, and even eyes. It helps protect us from the sun! Some people have more melanin in certain spots, which creates freckles.
When the sun shines on our skin, our body makes more melanin to protect us from getting sunburned. That’s why freckles get darker in the summer when you spend more time outside!
Why Do Some People Have Freckles and Others Don’t?
Not everyone has freckles, and that’s because of DNA.
What Is DNA?
DNA is like a recipe book inside our bodies. It decides what we look like, like:
The color of our eyes 👀
If our hair is curly or straight 💇
How tall we are 📏
And yes—whether we have freckles!
If your parents or grandparents have freckles, you might have them too! That’s because freckles are passed down from family members.
Some people have a special freckle gene that makes their skin more likely to get freckles when they’re in the sun. If you don’t have that gene, your skin just tans instead!
When Do Freckles Appear?
Most people don’t have freckles when they’re babies. Freckles start showing up when kids are about 2 to 5 years old. They often become more noticeable in the summer and lighter in the winter.
Freckles don’t stay the same forever! As people grow up, freckles sometimes fade or disappear when they get older.
Different Types of Freckles
Not all freckles look the same! There are actually two types of freckles:
1. Regular Freckles (Ephelides - say it like: EH-fuh-ly-deez)
These are the common freckles most kids have.
They appear in the summer and may fade in winter.
They come in different shades of brown and can change over time.
2. Sunspots (Lentigines - say it like: LEN-tih-jy-neez)
These are darker spots that stay all year round.
They usually appear on grown-ups after years of being in the sun.
They don’t fade like regular freckles.
Both kinds are totally normal and just a fun part of how skin works!
Do Other People and Animals Have Freckles?
Yep! Freckles aren’t just for humans! Some animals have them too!
🐶 Dogs – Some dogs, like Dalmatians, have spotted fur like freckles!
🐱 Cats – Orange cats sometimes have freckles on their noses.
🐸 Frogs – Some frogs have dark spots that help them hide.
🐴 Horses – Some horses have freckle-like spots on their skin.
Even some red-haired orangutans (big, fuzzy monkeys) have freckles!
Do Freckles Mean You’re in the Sun Too Much?
Not really! Freckles aren’t bad—they just mean your skin reacts to sunlight in a special way. But even though freckles aren’t dangerous, it’s still important to protect your skin from too much sun.
Here’s how you can take care of your skin:
☀️ Wear sunscreen – Sunscreen helps keep your skin safe from strong sun rays.
🧢 Wear a hat – A big hat can help protect your face from too much sun.
🌳 Play in the shade – Staying under trees or an umbrella keeps your skin cool.
Even if you don’t have freckles, everyone should be careful in the sun!
Do Freckles Mean Someone Has Red Hair?
Many people with red hair have freckles, but not always! The same gene that makes red hair also makes skin more likely to have freckles. But people with brown, blonde, or even black hair can have freckles too!
Some famous people with freckles and red hair include:
🦊 Ed Sheeran (a famous singer!)
🦊 Ron Weasley (from Harry Potter)
🦊 Merida (from Brave)
Even if you don’t have red hair, freckles can be found on all kinds of people!
Do Freckles Ever Go Away?
Sometimes! Some kids lose their freckles as they get older. Others keep them their whole lives. It all depends on your DNA and how much time you spend in the sun.
If you have freckles and they fade, that’s totally normal! If they stay, that’s normal too! Every person’s skin is special in its own way.
Cool Freckle Facts!
Now that you’re a freckle expert, here are some fun facts about freckles!
1️⃣ Freckles don’t have a set shape – They can be round, oval, or even look like tiny stars! ⭐
2️⃣ Some people love their freckles so much that they draw them on with makeup!
3️⃣ Freckles don’t hurt – You can’t feel them, and they don’t itch or burn.
4️⃣ Even dark-skinned people can have freckles – They just might be harder to see!
5️⃣ Freckles are not dirt – You can’t wash them away!
So, Why Do Some People Have Freckles?
Freckles happen because of melanin, DNA, and the sun. If your body makes extra melanin in certain spots, you’ll have freckles!
If you have freckles, they’re just a special part of who you are! If you don’t, that’s okay too—everyone’s skin is unique!
So next time you see freckles on someone’s face, arms, or even your own nose, you’ll know exactly why they’re there! Freckles are a cool, natural part of being YOU! 😊✨
The End!
Now go outside and enjoy the sunshine (but don’t forget sunscreen)! Maybe you’ll spot some freckles on yourself or your friends! 😃🌞
Share this post