What should you know about a dark spot under the skin?

Pigment can remain after acne, irritation, an insect bite, or an injury. Flat brown or grey areas may fit post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, while sun-exposed spots may fit sun spots. Melasma often creates broader, fairly even patches, especially on the face. Fine scale or a change in texture can point toward a different problem such as tinea versicolor. A spot that feels like a firm lump is not explained by pigment alone and needs an in-person look.

Take a clear photograph in consistent light and note when the mark appeared, whether it is flat, itchy, scaly, tender, or changing. Use gentle cleansing, avoid picking or scrubbing, and protect exposed skin from daylight with clothing or broad-spectrum sunscreen. Do not apply strong bleaching products or peel the area without professional advice. A clinician can distinguish pigment from a raised lesion and discuss options such as a skin brightening treatment, chemical peel, or picosecond laser treatment when appropriate.

Arrange a dermatology assessment if the spot is new and changing, has an uneven outline or several colours, bleeds, crusts, becomes painful, or forms a growing lump. Seek prompt care for spreading redness, warmth, swelling, pus, or fever. A stable flat mark can usually be assessed routinely, but a photograph cannot confirm its cause.

Ask whether the mark is pigment or a raised lesion, whether a dermatoscope examination is needed, what may have triggered it, and which treatment is suitable for your skin tone. Ask how long improvement may take and how to reduce the chance of further darkening.