What should you know about spot on liver and lung?

Liver spots, also called solar lentigines or age spots, are usually flat tan-to-brown areas on skin that has received repeated ultraviolet exposure, such as the face, hands, shoulders, and forearms. The nickname is misleading: these marks are not caused by spots on the liver or lung. They may occur alongside other signs of sun-damaged skin, including uneven tone and additional dark patches.

A new or changing pigmented mark should be examined rather than assumed to be a sun spot. Tell a clinician about changes in outline, colour, size, surface, bleeding, crusting, or persistent itching. A close examination can determine whether monitoring or further assessment is needed.

Use broad sun protection, seek shade, and cover exposed skin to reduce further darkening and new pigment changes. Do not pick, scratch, or use unregulated lightening products on a pigmented mark. If a clinician confirms a benign sun spot and you want cosmetic treatment, options can include a chemical peel, IPL photofacial, picosecond laser treatment, or carefully selected freezing. Skin tone, location, medication history, and the diagnosis affect which option is appropriate.

Book a skin assessment for a mark that is new, changing, asymmetrical, very dark, bleeding, crusted, painful, or unlike your other spots. Seek prompt care when change is rapid or an open sore does not heal. Cosmetic treatment should wait until a clinician has assessed any uncertain lesion; light or freezing treatments can make later evaluation harder.

Does this mark fit a sun spot, or does it need closer assessment? Which treatment suits my skin tone and location? How should I protect the area from further ultraviolet exposure?