What should you know about skin care for age spots?

Age spots, also called sun spots, are usually flat darker areas on sun-exposed skin. They may occur alongside other signs of photoaging, such as uneven tone. A dark patch can also reflect inflammation, medication effects, or another skin condition, so appearance alone cannot confirm the cause. A clinician may examine the mark closely and ask when it appeared and whether it has changed.

Use broad-spectrum sunscreen as directed, wear protective clothing, and seek shade when practical. Wash gently, moisturise, and avoid picking or abrasive scrubs. Do not apply strong lightening products to an unassessed lesion. Once the diagnosis is clear, options may include a chemical peel, IPL photofacial, picosecond laser treatment, or cryotherapy for a suitable lesion. Treatment choice depends on pigment depth, skin tone, location, and the risk of post-treatment colour change.

Arrange a skin assessment if a spot is new, changing, bleeding, crusting, persistently itchy, painful, or different from the others. Seek care sooner for a rapidly changing mark or a sore that does not heal. Do not assume a changing patch is an age spot until it has been checked.

Does this mark fit a sun spot, or should it be examined further? Which treatment suits my skin tone? How should I protect the area before and after treatment?