What causes black spots on the face?

After a pimple, irritated hair follicle, rash, scratch, or burn, pigment-producing cells may leave a brown, grey, or nearly black flat mark while the skin recovers. This is post-inflammatory colour change. Acne commonly presents with blackheads when oil and dead cells form an open plug in a pore; its dark surface is caused by exposure to air, not trapped dirt.

Repeated sunlight can create or deepen uneven pigment. Cosmetics, hair products, masks, or shaving can contribute when they block pores or irritate the same area. Some spots are moles or other growths rather than marks from inflammation. Location, texture, the event that came first, and change over time help a clinician narrow the cause.

Check whether a bump, itch, shaving episode, or new product preceded each mark. Pause suspected irritating products and keep care simple with a mild cleanser, non-comedogenic moisturiser, and daily broad-spectrum sunscreen. Do not scrape a dark plug or use strong acids on an unidentified raised spot.

If breakouts continue, addressing the active pimples is more useful than treating old pigment alone. A dermatologist may use close examination to distinguish pigment from a plugged pore or growth and can select care that limits irritation in your skin tone.

Arrange an appointment if one spot differs clearly from the others, changes in size, shape, colour, or surface, or starts bleeding, crusting, hurting, or failing to heal. Prompt assessment is also appropriate for rapidly spreading dark areas, especially with blistering, swelling, fever, eye irritation, or mouth sores.

Persistent discoloration that affects your wellbeing is also a valid reason to seek care. A diagnosis helps avoid treatments that might worsen the underlying irritation.

Ask what feature points to the proposed diagnosis, whether there is still active inflammation, which medicines or products could be contributing, and whether the spot should be photographed, tested, treated, or simply observed.