Sun spots on the face: what to know

Sun spots, also called solar lentigines, are usually tan to brown flat marks on frequently exposed areas such as the cheeks, forehead, nose, and temples. They can sit within broader sun-damaged skin and may be confused with other causes of dark patches or uneven tone. A clinician looks at colour, border, symmetry, surface, and change over time. These details matter because a cosmetic-looking mark should not be treated until a concerning lesion has been excluded.

Use daily broad-spectrum sunscreen, reapply when outdoors, and add a hat or shade. Avoid picking and unregulated lightening products, which can irritate skin and deepen uneven colour. After assessment, options may include a chemical peel, IPL photofacial, picosecond laser treatment, or cryotherapy for a suitable individual lesion. The choice depends on the diagnosis, skin tone, number and depth of marks, and risk of pigment changes after irritation.

Arrange a dermatology review if a spot is new, enlarging, darker in one area, irregular at the edge, itchy, painful, crusted, or bleeding. Prompt assessment is especially appropriate when one mark looks different from the others. Do not cover a changing lesion with cosmetic treatment before it has been checked.

Ask whether the mark is suitable for cosmetic treatment, how your skin tone affects the choice, what healing will look like, and how to reduce the chance of post-treatment darkening. Ask which signs should prompt a review.