What should you know about sun spots on Black skin?

Sun spots are usually flat, well-defined tan, brown or darker patches caused by repeated ultraviolet exposure. On Black skin, a spot may be subtle in some lighting, while inflammation from acne, eczema, injury or a procedure can also leave uneven pigment. A clinician should inspect the border and surface and ask when the mark appeared. A rough, thickened or bleeding lesion needs a different assessment from a smooth cosmetic patch.

Use broad-spectrum sunscreen on exposed areas, seek shade and consider a hat or protective clothing. Keep the routine gentle and avoid scrubbing or unprescribed lightening products. If treatment is appropriate, a clinician may consider a chemical peel, IPL photofacial, picosecond laser treatment or cryotherapy after weighing the site, diagnosis and pigment response. Discuss a cautious test area, realistic recovery and what to do about temporary darkening or lightening.

Arrange a skin assessment if a patch is new, expanding, irregular, scaly, itchy, painful or repeatedly inflamed. Seek prompt care for bleeding, crusting, an open sore that does not heal or a rapid change in shape or colour. Skin tone does not remove the need to evaluate warning signs.

Could this be a sun spot or pigment left after inflammation? How will you lower the chance of post-treatment colour change? Which options and aftercare are appropriate for my skin and the body area involved?