What are the symptoms of sun spots?

Also called solar lentigines, sun spots can be tan, light brown or darker brown. They often appear on the face, shoulders, chest, forearms and backs of the hands after repeated ultraviolet exposure. A spot may be round or irregular, and several spots can create an uneven skin tone. A typical sun spot is generally flat, dry and neither painful nor itchy. A clinician should check any mark that changes in colour, shape, border or surface because other skin conditions can resemble pigmentation.

Use broad-spectrum sun protection, seek shade and cover exposed skin to reduce further darkening and new sun damage. If you want treatment for stable spots, a dermatologist may discuss a chemical peel, IPL photofacial, picosecond laser treatment or cryotherapy after confirming the diagnosis. Pigment can return with further sun exposure.

Arrange a skin assessment if a spot becomes raised, rough, scaly, itchy, painful, inflamed or prone to bleeding. Seek prompt advice for a mark with an irregular border, several colours, rapid change or a sore that does not heal. These features do not prove cancer, but they should not be treated cosmetically before diagnosis.

Ask whether the mark is a sun spot or another pigmented lesion, whether it needs monitoring or biopsy, and which treatment suits your skin tone. Ask how to protect the area outdoors.