General Question

ava's avatar

Why is it that when I'm in the sun for prolonged periods I freckle but don't tan or burn?

Asked by ava (985points) July 9th, 2008

I have extremely fair skin (my nickname is Porcelana) that looks like it word burn instantly, but I just freckle…no tan, no burn.

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1 Answer

shilolo's avatar

Skin response to light and overall darkness is a function of the melanocyte distribution. You are one of the people for whom melanocytes are clumped together, and in response to light, form freckles. This is typically more common in people with fair skin (as you describe yourself). This site does a decent job of explaining and diagraming the process.

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