What should you know about old age spot?

Age spot, liver spot, and solar lentigo are common names for a flat tan-to-brown mark caused by increased pigment in areas that have received ultraviolet exposure. Sun spots often occur on exposed skin and may be smooth rather than raised. They are different from uneven skin tone spread across a wider area. A clinician may compare the mark with nearby lesions because benign sun spots and some skin cancers can overlap in appearance.

Use shade, protective clothing, and broad-spectrum sunscreen on exposed skin to reduce further darkening and new sun damage. Do not apply household acids or scrape the mark. After diagnosis, treatment choices can include a chemical peel, IPL photofacial, picosecond laser treatment, or cryotherapy, depending on the mark, skin tone, and location. See [Sun Spots](/conditions/sun-spots/) and [Sun-Damaged Skin](/conditions/photoaging/) for related information.

Book a skin assessment if the spot is new, enlarging, uneven in colour, irregular at the edge, itchy, painful, bleeding, or crusted. A spot that changes should be checked before cosmetic treatment, because pigment removal can make later observation harder. Seek prompt care for a non-healing sore or repeated bleeding.

Ask whether the mark has the features of a sun spot, whether it should be photographed or examined with dermoscopy, and which treatment suits your skin. Ask about aftercare, sun protection, and what change should trigger review.