Do sun spots cause uneven skin tone?

Sun spots are flat, darker patches that develop after repeated ultraviolet exposure. They can be light brown to deeper brown and often occur on the face, hands, shoulders, chest or forearms. When nearby skin has a different amount of pigment, the contrast creates a patchy or uneven appearance.

New darkening can also follow inflammation, hormonal changes, medicines or other skin conditions. A photo cannot reliably distinguish these causes. A spot that changes in shape, border, colour or sensation should be checked rather than assumed to be a sun spot.

Use broad-spectrum sunscreen on exposed skin, reapply it as directed on the product, and add shade, clothing or a hat during strong sunlight. Avoid picking irritated skin, because inflammation can leave darker marks. A dermatologist can confirm the diagnosis and discuss options such as prescription creams, peels or light-based treatment when appropriate. Improvement may be gradual, and maintenance sun protection helps limit new contrast.

Book a skin assessment for a spot that is new, rapidly changing, bleeding, crusting, persistently itchy or sore, or noticeably different from your other marks. Seek advice if pigmentation appears after starting a medicine or if it affects your confidence despite careful sun protection. Urgent review is appropriate for a rapidly changing lesion with marked pain or bleeding.

Ask what is causing the darker patches, whether examination or monitoring is needed, and which treatment suits your skin type. You can also ask how long improvement may take and how to reduce the chance of irritation or renewed darkening.