What should you know about small sun spots?

Sun spots, also called age spots, are usually tan to brown, flat, and found on areas such as the face, hands, shoulders, and arms. They can be more noticeable after repeated sun exposure. A cluster of pigment is not enough to confirm the diagnosis: freckles, post-inflammatory marks, medication-related changes, and some skin cancers can look similar.

Pay attention to asymmetry, an irregular edge, several colours, rapid change, bleeding, crusting, or a sore that does not heal. These features do not prove cancer, but they make professional assessment more important.

Use broad-spectrum sunscreen on exposed skin, reapply as directed, and add shade, clothing, and a hat. Avoid tanning beds and picking at pigmented areas. A dermatologist can confirm the diagnosis before discussing [Chemical Peel](/treatments/aesthetic-procedures/chemical-peel/), [IPL Photofacial](/treatments/laser-and-energy/ipl-photofacial/), [Picosecond Laser Treatment](/treatments/laser-and-energy/picosecond-laser-treatment/), or [Cryotherapy (Lesion Removal)](/treatments/surgical-dermatology/cryotherapy-lesion-removal/). Treatment choice depends on the mark, skin tone, location, and risk of temporary pigment change.

Book a skin check for a new or changing spot, an uneven border, multiple colours, bleeding, crusting, persistent itching, or a lesion that does not heal. Seek earlier review if one mark looks noticeably different from nearby spots. Do not remove a pigmented lesion cosmetically before a clinician has assessed it.

Ask whether the spot is consistent with sun damage, whether it needs monitoring or testing, and which treatment is safest for your skin tone. Ask how to protect the area afterward and which changes should prompt another appointment.