Book 2, Question 92 · Video
Why Do We Get Freckles?
Freckles are tiny brown dots that can appear on skin, especially on the nose and cheeks. They are little clusters of melanin, a pigment that colors your skin. Melanin specks!
Read the full answer →What Crafty Clover says in this video
Intro
Hey there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. Why do we get freckles?
The Big Idea
Freckles are tiny brown dots that can appear on skin, especially on the nose and cheeks. They are little clusters of melanin, a pigment that colors your skin. Melanin specks! Freckles are very common, and many kids have them on their cheeks, noses, and arms.
Sun Hits the Skin
Step one: the sun hits the skin. Sunlight reaches your skin, and wakes up special cells called melanocytes. Their job is to make melanin. Sun makes them darker, so they can show up more in the summer.
Extra Melanin
Step two: some cells make extra melanin. In some people, tiny spots of skin make more melanin than the skin around them. Freckles often run in families, because genes play a part. Freckles are flat, and they are not dangerous by themselves.
Dots Show, Protect Skin
Step three: dots show, and sunscreen still matters. The melanin forms tiny specks that we call freckles. Freckles do not protect you from the sun, so everyone still needs sunscreen, a hat, and shade. Your freckles are a part of your skin, and you can be proud of them.
A Closer Look
Let's take a closer look at freckles! The sun is the trigger. Melanin is the pigment that makes the dots. And the dots are freckles.
Quick Facts
Quick facts! Freckles are common and not a problem by themselves. Freckles often get darker in summer, and fade in winter. Freckles are not painted on. They are part of your skin. If a spot changes, grows, or itches, show a grown-up.
Think Like a Scientist
Now, think like a scientist! Compare arm skin in winter and summer, with a grown-up. Look at your arm today. Ask a grown-up to show you a photo from another season. What is similar? What is different? Why do you think that is?
Outro
Freckles are little dots of sunshine, and every skin is special. Science is amazing! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!