You may have wondered why some humans have freckles. Maybe you were under the belief that a freckle was a marking on Gingers for every soul they steal. Well, I am here to inform you that it is not true. Gingers are people just like you and me, who have souls (That are not stolen). And while freckles seem to be only on Gingers, they are actually on everyone.
From Wonderopolis:
Freckles are just skin cells that contain a pigment (color) called “melanin.” Melanin is a chemical made by skin cells called “melanocytes.” Melanin helps to protect the skin from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays by reflecting or absorbing them.
Freckles are triggered by exposure to sunlight. The sun’s ultraviolet radiation causes melanocytes to make more melanin, which can cause freckles to appear or become darker.
While anyone can have freckles, they are genetic. So if your parents have freckles, there’s a good chance you will, too. People with fair complexions (skin and eyes that are light in color) tend to have more freckles than people with darker complexions.
The melanin in your skin is what makes you look tan. The more melanin you have in your skin, the easier it is to get a tan.
People with fair complexions have less melanin in their skin to start with. When sunlight causes their melanocytes to make more melanin, they often develop freckles instead of getting an even suntan like people with darker complexions.
Some people have freckles that fade away in the winter and return every summer. Other people have freckles year-round. Freckles often tend to fade when people get older.
The fine folks over at SciShow explain exactly why some people have freckles, so you can stop making uneducated digs at your redheaded friends now, especially since you don’t want them to get angry and steal your soul.