Age spots on brown skin: recognition, care and treatment

Their colour may range from tan to deep brown or grey-brown. A clinician can distinguish a typical sun spot from post-inflammatory pigmentation, a mole, or another lesion that needs different care.

Age spots, also called solar lentigines, develop where pigment-producing cells respond to accumulated ultraviolet exposure. They tend to be smooth and remain within a visible border rather than feeling raised or scaly.

In brown skin, contrast varies: a spot may look subtly darker than nearby skin or appear more prominent. Marks left after acne, eczema, irritation, or injury can resemble age spots, so the history of the area matters.

Use broad-spectrum sunscreen on exposed skin, add shade or protective clothing, and avoid picking or rubbing the marks. Consistent protection helps limit further darkening and supports a more even result if treatment is chosen.

A dermatologist may discuss topical care, a chemical peel, freezing, or a light- or laser-based procedure after confirming the diagnosis. Brown skin can develop lingering darkening or lightening after irritation, so device settings, treatment depth, cooling, and the clinician's experience with your skin tone deserve specific discussion. Do not use an unlabelled bleaching mixture.

Arrange a skin examination if a mark is new, grows, develops an irregular outline, contains several colours, becomes raised, repeatedly crusts, bleeds, itches, or hurts. These features do not establish a diagnosis, but they make examination more important.

Seek prompt care for a spot that is changing quickly or forms a sore that does not heal. Avoid cosmetic treatment until the clinician has identified the lesion, because removing its surface appearance can complicate later assessment.

Ask what diagnosis fits the mark, whether dermoscopy or a sample is needed, and what change in colour would be expected after treatment. You can also ask how the proposed method is adjusted for brown skin, what aftercare reduces irritation, and which changes should trigger a follow-up visit.