Why Do We Get Freckles?

The video explains that freckles are small skin areas with higher melanin, not stars. Melanin, produced by melanocytes, acts as a natural sunscreen. Freckles form in clumps and darken with sun exposure, unlike lentigenes, which have more melanocytes and don't change with sunlight. The MC1R gene influences melanin type, affecting skin and hair color. Red hair is recessive, while freckles are dominant, indicating more genetic factors. The video thanks patrons and promotes SciShow.

How does the MC1R gene influence skin and hair color?

Discuss the relationship between freckles and red hair.