What should you know about IGH sun spots?

Sun spots, also called solar lentigines or age spots, often appear on the face, hands, shoulders, chest, or forearms. They can look tan, brown, or deeper than the surrounding skin and are usually flat. A clinician may examine the pattern, border, colour, and history of change to distinguish a benign sun spot from another pigmented lesion. Sun-damaged skin can also show uneven tone and other texture changes.

Use broad-spectrum sunscreen, protective clothing, shade, and habits that limit intense exposure. Do not pick, scratch, or apply strong lightening products without advice. If you want cosmetic improvement, a dermatologist may discuss a chemical peel, IPL photofacial, picosecond laser treatment, or cryotherapy for a selected lesion. The choice depends on skin tone, location, diagnosis, and the risk of pigment changes after treatment.

Arrange a prompt skin review if a spot grows, develops several colours, becomes asymmetrical, forms an irregular edge, bleeds, crusts, ulcerates, or repeatedly itches. Seek assessment sooner when a mark differs clearly from your other spots or changes over weeks. Do not assume a dark mark is a sun spot from appearance alone.

Ask whether the mark needs dermoscopy, whether treatment is cosmetic or medically indicated, how your skin tone affects the plan, and how to protect the area afterward.