Brown Spots on Skin: What You Should Know

A flat tan, brown, or grey mark may be post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation after a pimple, rash, bite, burn, or minor injury. Sun-exposed skin can develop freckles or solar lentigines, while hormones may contribute to patches of facial pigmentation such as melasma. A raised or changing mole is a different concern and should not be judged by colour alone.

Look at the spot in good light and compare it with nearby marks. Note whether it is flat or raised, evenly coloured or varied, and whether its outline is regular. A photograph with a simple size reference can help you notice change over time, but it cannot replace an examination.

Use broad-spectrum sunscreen on exposed skin and reapply as directed, especially during outdoor activities. Shade, clothing, and a wide-brimmed hat add protection. Avoid picking spots or using harsh scrubs, because irritation can deepen leftover pigment.

A clinician can distinguish pigmentation from an active skin condition and discuss options such as prescription creams, chemical peels, or laser and energy treatments. Treatment depends on the cause and your skin tone; lightening an unexplained or suspicious spot before assessment can make it harder to monitor.

Arrange a dermatology assessment for a spot that is new, changing in size, shape, colour, or surface, or noticeably different from your other marks. Seek prompt advice if it bleeds, crusts, repeatedly itches, becomes tender, or does not heal. A sudden spread of pigmentation, or marks appearing with other unexplained symptoms, also merits medical review.

Ask what the spot most likely represents, whether it needs dermoscopy or another test, and what changes should trigger a follow-up. Tell the clinician when you first noticed it, whether it followed inflammation or injury, what products or procedures you have tried, and whether similar marks run in your family.