Brown spots from sun damage

Ultraviolet light can stimulate pigment production and make flat tan-to-brown patches appear on the face, hands, shoulders, chest, and other exposed areas. Repeated exposure may make existing marks darker and can occur even when there is no recent sunburn. Pigment after acne, irritation, or a burn may look similar. A dermatologist checks the shape, border, surface, and colour rather than relying on location alone. A scaly, thickened, bleeding, or evolving mark may have a different cause.

Use shade, protective clothing, a hat, and broad-spectrum sunscreen on exposed skin; reapply according to the product directions, particularly during outdoor activity. Choose gentle skincare and avoid picking or abrasive treatments. If the spots bother you, a dermatologist can discuss pigment-targeting creams or procedures after confirming the diagnosis and considering your skin tone, tendency to mark, and any active irritation.

Book a skin assessment when a mark is new and unexplained, changes in size, shape, border, or colour, becomes scaly, itchy, painful, crusted, or bleeds. Prompt review is also sensible when one patch looks unlike the others. Seek urgent help for signs of infection such as spreading redness, warmth, pus, or fever.

Ask whether the pattern fits sun-related pigment, whether an examination or sample is needed, which treatment is suitable for your skin, and how to protect the area during treatment.