A TikTok user is convinced that "all men" have a freckle in the same place on their body.
A bloke called Dylan – also known as @dylanbaseball07 when he's posting online – showed off a mark on his left arm. He's noticed that plenty of other lads he knows have the same one.
In an online clip, he said: "Alright, I may have found something that proves that the government makes humans. Alright, every boy Duet this and see if you have that freckle right there on your arm. I guarantee you do. That freckle right there. Duet this."
His viral video prompted many to check their own arms – and they were shocked to learn they have freckles there too. One jokingly theorised: "Our lives are all simulated, trust me." Another stunned viewer said: "I've got one and my brothers and father also." And a third added: "What the... I do! This is weird."
While it may seem completely baffling, there are actually scientific explanations behind the phenomenon. Genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors can have an impact on the skin.
Ancestral history, and having the MC1R gene, plays a big part. People with certain skin types, especially those with fair skin, red or blonde hair, and light-coloured eyes, are more prone to developing freckles.
These genetic traits often cluster specific pigment-producing cells (melanocytes) in certain areas. So if your parents have freckles in specific places, chances are you'll see similar examples on your own body.
Your lifestyle is also likely to impact your freckle pattern. For example, those who spend more time in the sun are likely to get more of them.
Freckles typically form in areas that are most frequently exposed to sunlight. UV radiation from the sun causes melanocytes to increase pigment production (melanin), leading to the formation of freckles. This is why freckles are commonly found on the face, shoulders, arms, and other sun-exposed parts of the body.
This consistent exposure pattern can lead to freckling in the same locations, which probably explains why men are finding them on similar parts of their bodies. It doesn't quite sound as freaky when explained like that!
