How effective is cryotherapy for sun spots?

Sun spots, also called solar lentigines or age spots, are flat brown marks linked with long-term ultraviolet exposure. Cryotherapy freezes a selected spot, and the treated skin may darken, crust, and then gradually shed. The colour may fade unevenly, and lighter or darker skin can remain after healing, especially in naturally deeper skin tones. Freezing treats the visible mark but does not remove the cause of new spots, so other marks can develop with continued ultraviolet exposure. A dermatologist should distinguish a sun spot from a changing pigmented lesion before treatment.

Arrange an assessment for any spot that is changing in size, shape, colour, or texture, or that bleeds or develops a persistent sore. If cryotherapy is appropriate, follow the dressing and cleansing instructions and do not peel the crust. Protect the healing area from sunlight and use the protection recommended by your clinician. Ask whether a different treatment would give more even results for several marks or for your skin type.

Contact the treating clinic if pain, swelling, warmth, drainage, or redness is getting worse. Seek prompt review for a treated spot that continues to bleed, fails to heal, or changes again. A new or changing pigmented mark should be examined rather than assumed to be another sun spot.

What features confirm that this is a sun spot? How might freezing affect pigmentation in my skin? What aftercare and sun protection should I use, and would another option be more suitable for multiple or darker marks?