Dark Spots Not Going Away: What to Know

A mark may remain after acne, eczema, an insect bite, a burn, or picking has settled. This is post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Flat patches on exposed skin can also fit sun spots, while symmetrical facial areas may suggest melasma. Fine scale or patches that change with heat and sweating can point toward tinea versicolor. These possibilities can look similar in photographs but need different approaches.

Notice whether the colour is brown, grey, or red-brown; whether the surface is smooth or scaly; and whether spots are spreading, itching, or appearing in new areas. The pattern and timing help a clinician distinguish excess pigment from an active rash.

Use gentle, fragrance-free cleansing and avoid scrubbing, picking, or untested lightening mixtures. Protect exposed skin from sunlight with clothing and a broad-spectrum sunscreen suited to your skin. Stop any product that causes burning or a persistent rash. Photograph the area in consistent lighting and note new medicines, irritation, or a preceding rash.

A dermatologist may recommend treatment for the underlying cause before choosing a pigment-focused option. Depending on the diagnosis, options can include a supervised chemical peel, skin brightening treatment, or picosecond laser treatment. These procedures can irritate skin and may worsen discoloration if used without the right diagnosis or settings.

Arrange a medical assessment if a spot is changing quickly, has an irregular outline or several colours, bleeds, crusts, becomes painful, or forms a sore that does not heal. Seek prompt care for rapidly spreading redness, warmth, swelling, pus, or fever. Even without these features, persistent or unexplained marks deserve review when they continue despite stopping irritation.

Ask: Could this be post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, melasma, a sun spot, or tinea versicolor? Is the surface active or is the colour left behind? Which ingredients should I avoid, and how should treatment be adjusted for my skin tone? What changes would mean I should return sooner?