Freckles are flat, beige, brown circular spots that typically are the size of the head of a metal nail. The spots are multiple and may develop on sun-exposed skin after repeated exposure to sunlight. These are particularly common in people with fair complexion. They may appear on children as young as 1 or 2 years of age. Most freckles are generally uniform in color but can vary somewhat in color — they may be reddish, yellow, tan, light brown, brown, or black — but they are basically slightly darker than the surrounding skin.