When is cryotherapy recommended for sun spots?

Sun spots, also called solar lentigines, are flat areas of increased pigment linked with past sun exposure. Freezing targets the superficial pigmented area. The spot may darken, blister, crust, and then lighten as the treated skin recovers.

Because some early skin cancers can resemble a sun spot, examination matters before treatment. A lesion that is new, asymmetric, multicoloured, thickened, or changing should not be treated as a cosmetic mark until a clinician has assessed it.

Book a skin examination and mention previous skin cancers, unusual mole changes, medicines, and any tendency to develop dark marks after inflammation. Ask whether another option would better suit multiple or widespread spots.

After freezing, follow wound-care advice, do not peel the crust, and limit sun exposure while the skin repairs. Daily broad-spectrum sun protection helps reduce further pigment change and new sun damage.

Seek review before cosmetic treatment if a spot grows, changes colour, develops an irregular edge, bleeds, becomes thick or scaly, or remains an open sore. These features need diagnosis rather than routine lesion removal.

Ask whether the mark is consistent with a sun spot, what colour change is possible after freezing, how many visits may be needed, and how to distinguish normal crusting from a problem.