Are freckles and skin cancer related?

No, the two are not directly related, but caution is advised. Freckles themselves are harmless. Freckles are small brown spots that can be found anywhere on the body, typically the face and arms. Although freckles are generally genetic, new freckles may appear if your skin is exposed to a lot of sunlight. Do not be alarmed if additional freckles appear after a weekend at the beach, it just means you freckle easily. Easy freckling typically happens to people with red hair or fair skin.

Although the freckles themselves are not a threat, having them means you should be more careful when in the sunlight. If you freckle easily, you may be more prone to skin cancer. You can still enjoy a nice weekend at the beach with your friends and family, just be sure to use a sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher.