Skin Health More Skin Conditions Sunspots on the Skin By Rachel Macpherson Rachel MacPherson is a health writer, certified personal trainer, and exercise nutrition coach based in Montreal. Learn about our editorial process Rachel Macpherson Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Casey Gallagher, MD on February 08, 2021 Casey Gallagher, MD, is board-certified in dermatology and works as a practicing dermatologist and clinical professor. Learn about our Medical Review Board Casey Gallagher, MD on February 08, 2021 Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Symptoms Causes Diagnosis Treatment Prevention Sunspots are dark spots on the skin that are usually harmless. They are also known as age spots, hyperpigmentation, liver spots, or solar lentigines and most often appear in middle age, although they can occur at any time. Skin gets color from melanin, which is made by specific cells in the skin. When too much melanin is produced by these cells, your skin darkens. Sunspots are very common, especially in people more than 50 years old. Jeffrey Coolidge / Getty Images Symptoms of Sunspots Sunspots are one type of hyperpigmentation that is caused by UV exposure. They are usually:Oval in shapeFlatRange from tan to brown or blackVary in size from that of a freckle to about ½ an inch When several sunspots group together, it can appear as a larger spot. They typically appear on areas of high sun exposure such as: FaceHandsBackChestShouldersArms Causes The most common cause for sunspots on the skin is lifetime sun exposure or artificial UV exposure from tanning beds or gel lacquer-curing nail salon lamps that use UV. Although the exact reasons why some people are more likely to develop sunspots is unknown, genetics may play a role. The UV light exposure that occurs over your lifetime can result in sunspots later in life. However, some younger people who tan may see them before middle age. Those with light hair and eyes, individuals who tan or do not wear sunscreen or protective clothing are more susceptible to sunspots. Experiencing sunburns, especially severe ones, also increases your likelihood of developing sunspots. Sunspots are most often harmless, but sometimes they can be cancerous. Some medications can also cause spots. Diagnosis Your doctor or dermatologist can likely diagnose sunspots through a routine exam. If one or more of the spots looks suspicious, you may get a biopsy. Sunspots do not require medical care normally, but if you notice any of the following changes in a spot’s appearance, be sure to see your doctor: Increase in sizeTurns blackIrregular borderBleedingUnusual color combination Treatment Sunspots that don’t look suspicious require no treatment and don’t cause any symptoms. If you don’t like the way they look, there are ways you can diminish their appearance at home or through professional treatments. At-Home Treatments There are products available for lightening sun spots at home. These products typically need several months of use to be effective, and results might be temporary. Look for those including ingredients such as: Glycolic acidHydroxy acidAloe veraVitamin CVitamin E Professional Treatments A dermatologist can perform professional treatments to lighten sun spots. Risks come with treatments and may not be appropriate for those with sensitive skin. It would be best if you discussed your options with your doctor. Microdermabrasion: Physically erodes the surface skin cells.Chemical peels: Salicylic acid and glycolic acid treatments that remove the top layer of the skin.Laser treatment: Uses concentrated light energy to remove top layers of skin, essentially burning off the dark spotsIntense pulsed light (IPL) therapy: Targets melanin granules and melanin-producing cells to lighten the skin without damage to the skin’s surface.Cryosurgery: Uses liquid nitrogen to freeze sunspots causing the darkened skin to peel away. Prevention You cannot prevent sunspots from past UV exposure from forming, but you can prevent future sun spots and old sunspots from getting darker after you’ve lightened them. Steps you can take include: Use SPF with a minimum factor of 30 every day, 15 minutes before sun exposure, and reapply every two hoursWear protective clothing such as a long-sleeved shirt and pantsWear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglassesConsider clothing with ultraviolet protective factor (UPF) of 40 or 50Try to keep to shady areas on sunny days A Word From Verywell Although developing dark spots on your skin may be frightening, they are often harmless. Be sure to talk to your doctor if you are concerned or notice any changes in the spots. If you do not like the appearance of sun spots, try at-home treatments or talk to a dermatologist about which options are best for you. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Choi W, Yin L, Smuda C, Batzer J, Hearing VJ, Kolbe L. Molecular and histological characterization of age spots. Exp Dermatol. 2017;26(3):242-248. doi:10.1111/exd.13203 Scarcella G, Dethlefsen MW, Nielsen MCE. Treatment of solar lentigines using a combination of picosecond laser and biophotonic treatment. Clin Case Rep. 2018;6(9):1868-1870. doi:10.1002/ccr3.1749 Scherer D, Kumar R. Genetics of pigmentation in skin cancer--a review. Mutat Res. 2010;705(2):141-53. doi:10.1016/j.mrrev.2010.06.002 Arora P, Sarkar R, Garg VK, Arya L. Lasers for treatment of melasma and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. J Cutan Aesthet Surg. 2012;5(2):93-103. doi:10.4103/0974-2077.99436 American Academy of Dermatology Association. Sunscreen FAQs.