Freckles
Face Freckles
You can further enhance the doll's appearance by adding freckles to the face. For TPE models, this detail is especially valuable: the material can't hold deep skin texture, so it's the small paintwork details that make the face "alive". In this sense, freckles do even more for realism here than they do on silicone.
How it works
Freckles are applied with permanent paint at the final production stage, on top of the head's base make-up. They can't be removed without damaging the layers of paintwork underneath. The factory artist decides on the placement and density of the freckles, following a natural distribution: the bridge of the nose, cheeks, cheekbones.
What this gives you
Freckles are an important focal point that helps the doll be perceived as a living object. Perfectly even skin looks "doll like", and small natural details break that effect.
Is it worth adding
It all depends on your preference. If you like freckles, this upgrade will make the doll's face noticeably livelier. If you don't like freckles, we'd still suggest thinking about adding this option. TPE can't reflect all that many details, and freckles are one of the few available.
Before adding freckles to the face, bear in mind: this is a permanent change to the most visible part of the doll. While freckles on the body are easy to hide with clothing, the face is always on show. So only add Face Freckles if you're confident in your choice.
Care
Like any paint on TPE, freckles wear away over time, and faster than on silicone: the porous material releases oils that make paint hold less well. Wash the doll's face gently, without rubbing, blotting rather than wiping. On the plus side, the face has minimal friction, so freckles there last longer than on the body.
Body Freckles
Besides the face, freckles can also be added to the doll's body. For TPE models, they pair especially well with ultra-realistic painting, making up for the lack of skin texture with small details.
How it works
Freckles are applied with permanent paint at the final production stage, on top of the body's base paintwork. They can't be removed without damaging the layers of paintwork underneath. Freckles are usually applied in natural areas: the shoulders, the décolletage and the upper back. This mirrors how freckles are distributed on a person.
What this gives you
Like face freckles, this is a focal point that makes the doll feel more animated. Body freckles work especially well up close and in photographs: the décolletage and shoulders often appear in frame, and small skin details make the shots feel more natural.
Where freckles are placed
Freckles are usually applied in natural areas: the shoulders, the décolletage and the upper back. This mirrors how freckles are distributed on a person.
Is it worth adding
It all depends on your preference. But as with face freckles, remember this adds detail that TPE dolls otherwise have very little of. If you want a finished look, add them alongside Face Freckles: freckles on the body alone, with none on the face, look less natural.
Like any paint on TPE, freckles wear away over time, faster than on silicone. Body freckles are more prone to this than face freckles: the body is in constant contact with clothing, surfaces and you, and the regular talc treatment and frequent washing that TPE needs also gradually lift the paint. Apply talc with light patting motions, without rubbing it in. Areas of active friction fade fastest. Be prepared for freckles to gradually lighten over time.
Works in combination
Freckles look best on top of ultra-realistic painting: on detailed skin with natural shading, they look like part of the skin rather than a pattern. We cover this in more detail in the Realistic Body Painting section.