There are a variety of spots that appear on our skins. One such kind is called a mole. Freckles include another condition of such type of skin spots. They both add uniqueness to our appearance by their presence. While both these skin spots may look quite similar, they are very different things. They have some very significant points of difference between them. It is important to know these differences to not confuse them with each other.
Freckles vs Moles
The main difference between freckles and moles is that while the former are flatter, the latter are raised spots on the skin. Therefore the difference can easily be figured out by touching the skin where they appear. If the skin is raised it is a mole. Also, the former often has a much lighter shade. The latter is usually darker in color.
Our skin has certain special type of cells called extra-pigmented cells. These also cause light spots. These spots are known as freckles. It is hereditary. They are flat and cannot be felt. Overexposure to the sun causes these. An increase in production of melanin, or the skin-pigmenting substance is caused by over exposure to sunrays. This causes skin coloration or pigmentation.
Caused by extra-pigmented skin cells, moles are dark spots that appear on the skin. They usually are raised spots and can be felt. These are regions where skin cells have grown together in a group rather than being widespread throughout the skin. These are pigmenting cells, that is, they cause skin coloration. Melanocytes is the term used for such cells.
Comparison Table Between Freckles and Moles
| Parameters of Comparison | Freckles | Moles |
| Definition | The extra-pigmented cells of the skin also cause light spots known as freckles. | Caused by extra-pigmented skin cells. These are dark spots that appear on the skin. |
| Structure | It cannot be felt. It is an area of several flat spots. | They usually are raised spots and can be felt. |
| Color | They are lighter in color. | They are darker in color. |
| Dangerous | Zero tendencies to become malignant. | Usually they are not harmful. Very rarely they may be malignant. |
| Cause | Overexposure to the sun causes these. Melanin is produced in excess due to such increased exposure to sun rays. Melanin in turn causes these skin pigmentations. | These are regions where skin cells have grown together in a group rather than being widespread throughout the skin. These are pigmenting cells, that is, they cause skin coloration. Melanocytes is the term used for such cells. |
What is Freckle?
The extra-pigmented cells of the skin also cause light spots known as freckles. These are genetic. They are flat and cannot be felt. Overproduction of skin pigmenting substance due to excess sun exposure is the primary cause of this. This in turn causes skin coloration or skin pigmentation.
These structures are not dangerous and cannot be malignant.
The color of freckles varies based on the individual and their genetic composition. Increased exposure to sun rays however may result in these darkening in their pigmentation.
While they aren’t hazardous, they can make you appear aged and are usually indicative that your skin has been subjected to too much sunlight in the first place.
If your freckles get too dark and you don’t like them, there are always solutions to lessen or erase them.
Individuals with pale or fair complexion have little melanin in their epidermis, so when sunshine drives their melanocytes to produce more, they develop freckles rather than a uniform tan.
Ephelides are a type of freckle that is plain, brownish, or reddish and dissolves when sun exposure is reduced. Ephelides are more prevalent in persons with pale skin tones, however, they can be found on individuals of all skin tones. The use of sunscreen regularly can stifle their growth.
What is Mole?
These are dark spots on skin. They are caused by extra-pigmented cells of the epidermis. They usually are raised spots and can be felt. The epidermal cells have developed together in a bundle in these regions instead of being spread all throughout. These are pigmenting cells. This means they cause skin coloration. Melanocytes is the term used for such cells.
Moles may very rarely be cancerous. Most of them are harmless and are not dangerous while a few can be cancerous. Moles that have the chance to become cancerous will frequently shift, either developing or displaying a different boundary. Itching and bleeding are another cause of alarm.
Identifying skin cancer, especially malignant melanoma, involves paying attention to moles and other colored spots on the skin. A dermatologist should be consulted immediately if you feel any discomfort or spot something to be worried about regarding your mole.
Many times people get confused between these structures and beauty spots.
These are not anything different from moles. The presence of certain moles beautify physical appearances in a lot of cases. These are the ones that have been named to be beauty spots.
This type of mole can appear on the face, throat, arm area, and is considered a beauty mark. These may look attractive but they are still the same thing as a mole. They should be treated if there occurs any alteration in their color or form.
Main Differences Between Freckles and Moles
- The extra-pigmented cells of the skin also cause light spots known as freckles, whereas caused by extra-pigmented skin cells, moles are dark spots that appear on the skin.
- The difference between freckles and moles can easily be felt by touching the region where they appear. The former is a cluster of flat spots and cannot be felt. The latter however, can be felt as a raised spot by touching on them.
- Freckles are lighter in color but moles have a darker shade.
- Freckles are not dangerous and cannot be malignant. Moles may, however, very rarely be cancerous.
- Freckles and Moles also have different causes. Overexposure to the sun causes the former. Melanin is produced in excess due to such increased exposure to sun rays. This causes skin coloration or pigmentation. The latter, on the other hand, are regions where skin cells have grown together in a group rather than being widespread throughout the skin. These are pigmenting cells, that is, they cause skin coloration. Melanocytes is the term used for such cells.
Conclusion
Therefore, we can see that both freckles and moles are different things with different causes and features. Both freckles and moles belong to the same category of skin-pigmentation conditions. The fundamental distinction between freckles and moles is their features.
Usually neither of these are dangerous. However, moles can sometimes and very rarely be cancerous.
Freckles and Moles also have different causes. Overexposure to the sun causes the former. Melanin is produced in excess due to such increased exposure to sun rays. This causes skin coloration or pigmentation. The latter, on the other hand, are regions where skin cells have grown together in a group rather than being widespread throughout the skin. These are pigmenting cells, that is, they cause skin coloration. Melanocytes is the term used for such cells.
References
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0140673668900718
- https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1753-6405.1992.tb00083.x