Brown liver spots: what to know

Liver spots, also called age spots or solar lentigines, commonly appear on skin that receives repeated sun exposure, such as the face, hands, shoulders, and arms. They are generally flat and tan to brown, with a fairly clear outline. Their name does not mean they are caused by a liver problem. [Sun Spots](/conditions/sun-spots/) and [Sun-Damaged Skin](/conditions/photoaging/) provide related context. A dermatologist may use a dermatoscope to distinguish pigment from a scaly or raised lesion.

Use regular broad-spectrum sun protection, cover exposed skin, and avoid tanning. Protection helps limit further darkening and new sun damage. Do not peel, freeze, or laser an unconfirmed lesion yourself. Once the diagnosis is clear, a clinician may discuss a chemical peel, IPL photofacial, picosecond laser treatment, or cryotherapy. Choice depends on the lesion, skin tone, location, and risk of post-treatment colour change.

Arrange prompt assessment if a mark becomes asymmetric, develops an irregular border, gains several shades, grows, bleeds, crusts, or forms a sore. A new raised or persistently scaly area should not be assumed to be a liver spot. Seek urgent care for rapid swelling, spreading redness, or severe pain around a lesion.

Does this look like a sun spot under examination? Should it be monitored or sampled? Which treatment is least likely to irritate my skin, and how should I protect the area afterwards?