What should you know about dark spots from sun damage?

Ultraviolet light can stimulate pigment production and make existing uneven tone more noticeable. Sun spots are usually flat areas on exposed skin such as the face, hands, shoulders, or chest. Melasma may form broader, often symmetrical facial patches, while post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation follows earlier acne, eczema, injury, or irritation. Tinea versicolor can produce colour changes with fine scale, so appearance alone cannot confirm the cause.

Use broad-spectrum sunscreen on exposed skin, reapply as directed on the product, and add shade, clothing, and a wide-brimmed hat. Avoid picking spots or using harsh bleaching mixtures, which can irritate skin and deepen pigment. If marks remain bothersome, a dermatologist may discuss a tailored skin brightening treatment, chemical peel, or picosecond laser treatment. Treatment choice depends on the diagnosis, depth of pigment, skin tone, and risk of post-treatment darkening.

Arrange a skin examination for a spot that is new and unlike your other marks, grows, changes colour or border, bleeds, crusts, or fails to heal. Seek care for a persistent rough patch or a spot that becomes painful or itchy. Sun exposure can coexist with conditions that need treatment, so do not assume every dark mark is harmless sun damage.

Ask whether the mark fits a sun spot, melasma, or post-inflammatory pigmentation, what protection suits your routine, and which treatment has the lowest irritation risk for your skin.