What causes Freckles?

Summary

Who Smarted? - Episode Summary: "What Causes Freckles?"

Podcast Information:

• Title: Who Smarted? - Educational Podcast for Kids
• Host/Author: Atomic Entertainment / Starglow Media
• Episode: What Causes Freckles?
• Release Date: February 17, 2025

---

Introduction

In the episode titled "What Causes Freckles?", Who Smarted?, an engaging educational podcast for children, delves into the fascinating world of freckles. The episode combines humor, storytelling, and scientific explanations to explore the origins, genetics, and unique characteristics of freckles. Hosted by the Trusty Narrator and featuring the enigmatic Hoagie PI, the episode takes listeners on a playful investigative journey to uncover the mystery behind freckles.

Setting the Scene

The episode opens with the Trusty Narrator at the beach, introducing his friend Polka Dot, who is characterized by her natural freckles. The Narrator engages the young audience by prompting them to check for freckles on themselves, making the topic personal and interactive.

Trusty Narrator [00:02]: "Hey, smarty pants, do you have any freckles? I'll give you a second to check."

Introducing the Mystery

Hoagie PI, a private investigator, enters the scene with a case: Polka Dot has lost some of her freckles. This twist adds an element of mystery and adventure, enticing young listeners to follow along as the Narrator and Hoagie PI collaborate to solve the case.

Hoagie PI [02:05]: "Word on the street is she lost some of her freckles. I'm a private investigator on the case, and I think he can help me find them."

Scientific Exploration of Freckles

As the investigation unfolds, the Narrator provides detailed scientific explanations about freckles:

1. What Are Freckles?

   • Freckles are small patches of concentrated melanin on the skin.
   • They are unique to each individual, much like fingerprints.

   Trusty Narrator [05:20]: "No two freckles are exactly the same."

2. Role of Melanin:

   • Melanin is a pigment produced by melanocytes, determining skin, hair, and eye color.
   • Increased melanin production occurs in response to sun exposure to protect the skin from UV rays.

   Trusty Narrator [05:38]: "Melanin gives your hair, eyes, and skin their color. The more melanin you have in your skin, the darker your skin color."

3. Genetics of Freckles:

   • Freckles are often inherited, especially common in individuals with red hair and fair skin.
   • The presence of freckles varies globally, influenced by ancestral exposure to sunlight.

   Trusty Narrator [09:53]: "If one or both of your parents have freckles, you're much more likely to get freckles."

4. Freckles in Animals:

   • Cats and dogs can also have freckles, particularly breeds with lighter pigmentation.
   • Examples include freckles on a cat’s nose or a dog’s belly.

   Trusty Narrator [07:27]: "Ginger cats like Princess Kitten Pants can get freckles because they have the red gene or orange coloration."

5. Freckle Lifecycle:

   • Freckles typically appear between ages 2 and 4.
   • They can fade or become less noticeable during winter months due to reduced sun exposure and melanin production.

   Trusty Narrator [15:13]: "Freckles can change. When you're not spending lots of time in the sun, like in the wintertime, freckles can get lighter or completely fade away."

Cultural and Literary References

The episode incorporates cultural insights and literature to enrich the discussion:

• Freckles in the Philippines: Known as "pekas," freckles are prevalent in the Filipino population.

  Trusty Narrator [10:56]: "Did you know 75% of the Filipino population has freckles? In the Philippines, freckles are called pekas."

• Literary Mention: Reference to Freckle Juice by Judy Blume, highlighting the desire to have freckles and the futility of unnatural attempts to acquire them.

  Trusty Narrator [16:20]: "There's even a book by Judy Blume called Freckle Juice about how a kid who wants freckles so badly he tries different recipes to get them."

Climactic Resolution

As the episode progresses, Hoagie PI remains skeptical of the Narrator's explanations, pushing for a resolution to the freckle mystery. The Narrator reveals that freckles can reappear with increased sun exposure, solving the case of Polka Dot's missing freckles.

Trusty Narrator [15:46]: "When you don't spend time in the sun, your skin cells replace the old ones and freckles can fade away. Polka Dot has had many freckles before the sun's ultraviolet rays woke up her pockets of melanin production and like magic, her freckles reappeared."

Emotional and Personal Insights

The episode concludes with a heartfelt reflection on the uniqueness of freckles and the personal feelings associated with them. Polka Dot’s journey underscores the theme of embracing one’s distinctive features.

Trusty Narrator [16:23]: "Polka Dot didn't always love her freckles... But once her freckles faded in the dark winter months, she started missing them. She wanted to be special and stand out."

Conclusion

"What Causes Freckles?" successfully blends storytelling with educational content, making complex scientific concepts accessible and entertaining for children. Through the engaging dialogue between the Trusty Narrator and Hoagie PI, listeners gain a comprehensive understanding of freckles, their causes, and their significance. The episode not only answers curious questions but also fosters a sense of wonder and appreciation for the natural uniqueness of each individual.

---

Notable Quotes:

• Trusty Narrator [00:02]: "Hey, smarty pants, do you have any freckles? I'll give you a second to check."
• Hoagie PI [02:05]: "Word on the street is she lost some of her freckles. I'm a private investigator on the case."
• Trusty Narrator [05:20]: "No two freckles are exactly the same."
• Trusty Narrator [10:56]: "In the Philippines, freckles are called pekas."
• Trusty Narrator [16:23]: "Polka Dot didn't always love her freckles."

Credits:

• Written by: Jennifer Foster
• Voiced by: Taya Hoagie Garlett and Jerry Colbert
• Technical Direction and Sound Design: Josh Hahn
• Recorded and Mixed at: Relic Room Studios
• Associate Producer: Max Kamasky
• Theme Song: Brian Suarez with lyrics by Adam Tex Davis
• Created and Produced by: Adam Tex Davis and Jerry Colbert

---

"Who Smarted?" continues to inspire and educate young minds by transforming learning into a delightful adventure. This episode on freckles exemplifies the show's commitment to combining humor, science, and storytelling to make education both fun and memorable.

Transcript

[Trusty Narrator]

Hey, smarty pants. What do you like about going to the beach? Is it playing in the waves? Building sandcastles? Or maybe you just like sunbathing. I'm headed to the beach right now to meet my friend, Polka Dot. I call her Polka Dot because she is a great dancer and Dot is short for Dorothy. Also, she has tiny brown polka dots sprinkling her nose and cheeks. Well, they're not really polka dots. They're natural marks on her skin. Any idea what those marks are called? Did you say freckles? That's right. Hey, smarty pants, do you have any freckles? I'll give you a second to check. Try looking at your arms or legs. Or you can look in the mirror and. Or take a selfie to see if there are any on your face. I once found one in my ear. Whoa. Are those a few new ones on my chin? Oh, wait. Those aren't freckles. Those are just crumbs from a cupcake I ate before. Whoops. So, finding any freckles, Smarty pants? Here's one place I bet you didn't check. Your eyes. That's right. You can even get eye freckles when a freckle is on the iris. That's the colored part of your eye. It's called an iris, Nevis. About six in ten people have one. Psst. Psst.

[Hoagie PI]

Now, you with the smarts.

[Trusty Narrator]

Did you just psst me? That's my job. I'm the one who says, psst.

[Hoagie PI]

Sounds like you know a little something about freckles.

[Trusty Narrator]

Well, I don't mean to brag, but I'm the trusty narrator. I know a little something about everything.

[Hoagie PI]

A wise guy, huh?

[Trusty Narrator]

Actually, I prefer smarty pants.

[Hoagie PI]

Yeah, well, pack up your beach bag. We're going where the sun don't shine.

[Trusty Narrator]

Excuse me?

[Hoagie PI]

Downtown.

[Trusty Narrator]

Oh, okay. But wait. I'm meeting my friend Polka Dot at the beach.

[Hoagie PI]

And Polka Dot's the reason I'm here. Word on the street is she lost some of her freckles. I'm a private investigator on the case, and I think he can help me find them.

[Trusty Narrator]

Oh, well, I'm always willing to help a friend.

[Hoagie PI]

Good. Cause I got questions.

[Trusty Narrator]

You've got questions? When it comes to freckles, I've got lots of questions. Like what exactly are freckles? What causes them? Why do some people have barely any freckles, while others have tons? And can freckles actually disappear?

[Hoagie PI]

Look, kid, you seem like a good egg, but I smell something rotten.

[Trusty Narrator]

Then it's time for another whiff of Science and history on who Smarted? Who's smarted? Who's smart? Is it you? Is it me? Is it science or history? Listen up everyone. We make smarting lots of fun. But who's smarted? Hey smarty parents. I know the struggle of wanting to create the best future for the children in your life. That's why I'm thrilled to share my experience with IXL learning. Recently, the 8 year old child of one of our main who Smarted writers started struggling with math. They tried everything and felt helpless. Then I told them about our partner ixl and it changed everything. Iexcel is an online learning program that covers math, language arts, science and social studies from Pre K to 12th grade. What sets it apart is how it adapts to each child's needs. His daughter loves the positive feedback and fun challenges. And the best part. IXL's research backed approach has made a world of difference in her confidence and her grades. It's like having a personal tutor, but at a fraction of the cost. A month of IXL costs less than one hour with a tutor. Even before our smarty family 20% discount. Don't let your child fall behind. Join the millions of families benefiting from IXL. Visit ixl.com smarted and get 20% off your membership. That's ixl.com smarted for 20% off. Give your child the gift of learning with IXL. All right smartypants. Looks like I'm smack in the middle of a mystery and I think you can help. It seems my friend Polka Dot's freckles have vanished and this tough guy private eye has been hired to find them. Nice office. What'd you say your name was again?

[Hoagie PI]

The name's Hoagie. Hoagie PI. No case too small. No sandwich too big. Nom nom, nom nom nom.

[Trusty Narrator]

You know, I'm surprised Polka Dot didn't call my detective friend McWoof the crime pup to help solve this mystery.

[Hoagie PI]

McWoof?

[Trusty Narrator]

You know him?

[Hoagie PI]

Yeah, I know McWoof. We used to solve mysteries together until I left the force.

[Trusty Narrator]

Why did you leave the force?

[Hoagie PI]

Look, I'll ask the questions around here. You ever talked to McWoof about freckles?

[Trusty Narrator]

Actually, yes. McWhoof told me that just like with fingerprints, no two freckles are exactly the same.

[Hoagie PI]

Uh huh. What else did McWuff have to say?

[Trusty Narrator]

Something about melanin.

[Hoagie PI]

Look, narrator, I think you're holding out on me. I think you know a lot more than you're saying.

[Trusty Narrator]

Maybe I am the trusting narrator. But how do I know I can trust you?

[Hoagie PI]

You're just gonna have to take my word for it. Now, spill the beans. What's melanin got to do with this?

[Trusty Narrator]

Fine. You want to know about melanin? I'll tell you all about melanin. Melanin is a chemical produced by certain skin cells called melanocytes. I know it sounds kind of like a type of dinosaur. Melanin gives your hair, eyes, and skin their color. The more melanin you have in your skin, the darker your skin color. And if you have lighter skin, that just means your skin produces less melanin.

[Hoagie PI]

Go on.

[Trusty Narrator]

But melanin does more than just give your skin its color. The melanin in your skin catches and soaks up some of the light that comes from the sun. When you're outside for a while, your skin starts to make more melanin to try and keep you from getting a sunburn. Melanin itself is a brown tannish color, and that's what causes you to get a suntan when you've been in the sun for a long period of time. And it's that same brownish melanin that causes some of us to get freckles.

[Hoagie PI]

Let me get this straight. You're telling me that some melanocytes make more melanin when exposed to the sun?

[Trusty Narrator]

Exactly. Some people have small patches on their skin that make more melanin than other areas. The parts that make more melanin turn darker than the other parts. And each darker part is what we call. What did you say a freckle again? It's nature's way of protecting your skin from the sun. But you should still load up on sunblock lotion. Your skin can only protect you so much, and you should protect it, too. Think of it as a really nice jacket.

[Hoagie PI]

I know a thing or two about nice jackets.

[Trusty Narrator]

I bet you do, Hoagie. Uh, is that your orange cat sitting on one of them right now? Meow.

[Hoagie PI]

Princess Kitten Pants, off. And what's this? She has a freckle on her nose. I think it was you who took Polka Dot's freckles. It's gonna be the slammer for you, kitty.

[Trusty Narrator]

Wait, Hoagie. She's innocent. Cats and dogs can get freckles, too. Whoa. Ginger cats like Princess Kitten Pants and other calico breeds can get freckles because they have the red gene or orange coloration. Sometimes the freckles on their noses and mouths are black, brown, flat, or even a little bit raised. And your dog's spot can have spots. Many Breeds have freckles under their fur. Most likely you'll see freckles on your dog's belly, ears or nose. Places where the skin is thinner and fur doesn't protect as well from the sun.

[Hoagie PI]

Alright, it's time for you to start singing like a canary.

[Trusty Narrator]

I can't really sing, but I'll try. Of course, it might be easier if you stopped shining that light in my eyes.

[Hoagie PI]

No dice. If what you say is true, I'm just gonna stand back and watch your melanin produce some freckles.

[Trusty Narrator]

Ah, I see. Smarty pants. True or false, Standing under a fluorescent lamp will make freckles appear on my face. Think about it, but not too long. This light is really bright. I heard a lot of you say false, and that's correct. While fluorescent lamps do produce ultraviolet rays, they're inside a glass tube. When the light passes through the glass, the harmful ultraviolet rays are absorbed. In other words, the melanin in my skin doesn't recognize it as powerful UV rays from the sun. So they remain sound asleep.

[Hoagie PI]

Thanks to the smarty pants. Your story checks out, but I still have a case to solve. Your friend, Polka Dot. Was she born with freckles?

[Trusty Narrator]

Actually, you'll never see a baby born with freckles. Melanocytes regenerate around six to eight weeks after birth. And then it takes exposure to something to bring out those freckles. Smarty pants, do you remember what it is? Did you say the sun? The average age kids develop freckles is between 2 and 4 years old.

[Hoagie PI]

What about her parents? Do they have freckles?

[Trusty Narrator]

Yes. Polka Dot has red hair and fair skin just like her mom. Ooh, Smarty pants, if one or both of your parents have freckles, you're much more likely to get freckles than someone whose parents don't have freckles.

[Hoagie PI]

I see.

[Trusty Narrator]

But freckles occur in people with ancestors from all around the world. Polka Dots family originally came from Ireland and Scotland where it's common to see red headed people with freckles. But what if your ancestors lived closer to the equator where the sun shines brightly? More than likely your family members had dark colored skin thanks to the melanin being produced in their bodies. But that melanin can still form in darker concentrated clusters on top of the dark skin. That plus genetics equals. You guessed it, freckles. Did you know 75% of the Filipino population has freckles? In the Philippines, freckles are called pekas.

[Hoagie PI]

Speaking of pekkas, I'm feeling peckish. I could Use a sandwich. Hello, Operator? Hello? Hello?

[Trusty Narrator]

It might be time for a smartphone.

[Hoagie PI]

Polka Dot, is that you? What's that? You found your freckles? Where were. How do you like that? Her freckles were right back on her face. Looks like it's case closed.

[Trusty Narrator]

Great. Then I can go.

[Hoagie PI]

Not yet. I want to know where those freckles ran off to.

[Trusty Narrator]

Sure, I can tell you that. In fact, I knew where they were the whole time.

[Hoagie PI]

I knew you was holding out on me. Spill it, Narrator.

[Trusty Narrator]

Oh, I will. Right after this quick break. Hi, guys. It's trusty. Today's episode is brought to you by Squarespace. And I need to tell you about their new design intelligence feature because it's a game changer for anyone who's been putting off creating a website. Look, I know how intimidating tech can feel, but Squarespace's AI powered design system literally transforms your basic ideas into a beautiful professional website. We've used Squarespace to build websites here at Atomic, and what I love is that it combines AI tech with their decades of design expertise. You answer a few simple questions and it creates a fully customized site that actually looks good. No more staring at a blank screen wondering where to start, and no need to spend thousands of dollars getting a site designed for a passion project or experimental idea. Plus, their payment system makes it super easy to get paid for your services. Whether you're selling courses, booking consulting sessions or offering downloads, they've got all the popular payment options like Apple Pay and Klarna built right in. Head to squarespace.com smarted for a free trial and use code smarted to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain. Hey smarty parents. I love Green Chef because of how absolutely easy the meals are to make and how every night it feels like we're eating at a restaurant right at home. The variety is excellent and includes meals for special diets like keto gluten free and calorie smart. With pre portioned ingredients, there's less prep, less mess and more time to enjoy delicious meals. Green Chef's easy to follow directions means my kitchen phobic family members and actually cook when we get our Green Chef kit. And it's a great way to get your kids involved in the kitchen too. Plus, Green Chef is owned by HelloFresh, which lets me switch between the brands for even more variety. And now my listeners can enjoy both at a discount with me. Thrive all year with clean, easy meals from Green chef. Go to greenchef.com smartedfree and use code smartedfree to get free salads for two months plus 50% off your first box. That's greenchef.com smartedFree and use code smarted free to get free salads for two months Plus 50% off your first box. Green Chef the number one meal kit for eating well. Hey, everyone. Trusty here. One of the things I love about hosting WhoSmarted is getting to answer all those amazing questions from curious smartypants. And that's why I'm excited to tell you about another show that does exactly that. Our Friends Podcast. But why a podcast for curious kids? Have you ever asked something like why does the wind blow? Or do skyscrapers actually scrape the sky? And you weren't quite sure of the answer? Well, but why has you covered They've answered questions from over 16,000 kids across 90 countries, and they're not afraid to tackle any topic, even the gross ones that make grownups squirm. I mean, the they have whole episodes about poop and making paint from spit and rocks. How cool is that? Their team gets real experts to answer real questions from real kids like you. So if your family loves learning interesting stuff on WhoSmarted, you'll definitely want to check out but why? You can find but why? Wherever you get your podcasts. Well, smarty pants, of all the podcasts in all the world, I'm happy you listened to mine.

[Hoagie PI]

Quit stalling, you double crosser, and tell me where those missing freckles went.

[Trusty Narrator]

I didn't double cross you. I just didn't mention that freckles can change. When you're not spending lots of time in the sun, like in the wintertime, freckles can get lighter or completely fade away. Let me ask you, Hoagie, where did Polka Dot just call you from?

[Hoagie PI]

The beach. She was waiting for you.

[Trusty Narrator]

Boom, Smarty pants. Let's crack the case. True or false? Freckles that have faded away can be reactivated in sunlight. If you said true, maybe you could be a gumshoe. That's another word for detective.

[Hoagie PI]

Hold on, not so fast. What are you saying?

[Trusty Narrator]

I'm saying when you don't spend time in the sun, your skin cells replace the old ones and freckles can fade. Since Polka Dot has had many freckles in her face before the sun's ultraviolet rays woke up her pockets of melanin production and like magic, her freckles reappeared.

[Hoagie PI]

That's some parlor trick.

[Trusty Narrator]

What's really cool about freckles is sometimes they're in it for the long haul. Some people's freckles last year, round and stay with them into adulthood. It's different for everybody.

[Hoagie PI]

I see. Your pal seemed pretty happy to have them back.

[Trusty Narrator]

Yes, but she didn't always love her freckles. Since freckles are unique and not everyone has them, she always felt different from other kids. But I'm sure once her freckles faded in the dark winter months, she started missing them. She wanted to be special and stand out. There's even a book by Judy Blume called Freckle Juice about how a kid who wants freckles so badly he tries different recipes to get them. Spoiler alert. No matter how much grape juice or mustard you eat for lunch, they won't give you freckles.

[Hoagie PI]

Speaking of lunch, it's sandwich time.

[Trusty Narrator]

Are you kidding me? I love lunch. I'll invite Polka Dot to join us.

[Hoagie PI]

Trusting an Alright, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

[Trusty Narrator]

A big around the World shout out to Nadia in Christchurch, New Zealand thanks for smarting with us, Nadia. We're so glad to hear you love learning new facts. And in particular you love all the fun talking characters. Well, so do I. And I love having you smarting with us. Thanks. This episode Freckles was written by Jennifer Foster and voiced by Taya Hoagie Garlett and Jerry Colbert. Technical direction and sound design by Josh Hahn who Smarted is recorded and mixed at the Relic Room Studios. Our Associate producer is Max Kamasky. The theme song is by Brian Suarez with lyrics written and performed by Adam Tex Davis who Smarted was created and produced by Adam Tex Davis and Jerry Colbert. This has been an Atomic Entertainment production.