What Are Sunspots on Skin? Pictures, Causes & Treatment

Understanding Sunspots on Skin

Sunspots, also known as solar lentigines, are flat, brown or black spots that appear on skin after excessive sun exposure. They commonly develop on the face, hands, shoulders and arms - areas that receive the most sun. While harmless, many people seek treatment to remove sunspots for cosmetic reasons or because too many sunspots can be a sign of sun damage.

What Causes Sunspots?

Sunspots form as a result of increased production of melanin, which is the pigment that gives skin its color. They usually start appearing in adulthood or middle age after years of sun exposure and tanning. In particular, UV rays from the sun triggers melanocyte cells to go into overdrive, causing them to group together in clusters and produce excess melanin. With time, this results in flat, darkened patches on the skin.

Who Gets Sunspots?

Anyone can develop sunspots with excessive UV exposure over time. However, having fair skin puts you more at risk. Those with lighter skin have lower levels of protective melanin to begin with. As a result, their skin tends to suffer more sun damage.

You may also be more susceptible to sunspots if you have a family history. Genetics can determine the amount and type of melanin your body produces and distributes.

Are Sunspots Dangerous?

While sunspots themselves are harmless, the excessive sun exposure that causes them can increase skin cancer risk. As such, having many sunspots may be a sign of sun damage over time. Its important to protect your skin from an early age to reduce risks of skin damage and skin cancer later in life.

What Do Sunspots Look Like?

Sunspots vary in shape, size and color. They range from light brown to black and can be either small freckles or large patches. Some people only develop a couple scattered sunspots. But others, with cumulative sun exposure, may end up with dozens peppered across their skin.

Common Locations

Areas most exposed to sun tend to harbor the most sunspots. Common locations include:

• Face
• Ears
• Neck
• Upper chest
• Shoulders
• Backs of hands
• Forearms

Color Variations

Sunspot color depends on your skin tone and how much melanin your melanocytes are producing in response to sun exposure. Colors can range from:

• Pale brown
• Golden brown
• Tan
• Dark brown
• Black (rare)

Size and Shape

Sunspots range dramatically in dimensions. They may appear as:

• Tiny freckles
• Large blotches wider than a pencil eraser
• Clustered groups of small spots that merge together
• Irregular shapes with uneven borders

Diagnosing Sunspots

Its important to get any new or changing skin spots examined by a dermatologist. They will be able to determine whether it is sun damage or another type of pigmentation needing assessment.

Medical History

Your doctor will first take a medical history, asking about:

• How long the spot has been there
• Any changes in size, shape or color
• Previous sun exposure and sunburns
• Use of tanning beds or sunbathing
• Family history of skin cancer or sunspots
• Medications
• Previous treatments/procedures

Physical Exam

Next, your dermatologist will examine all your skin, especially sun exposed areas like your face, neck and hands. Features they assess include:

• Number of spots
• Color
• Border shape and irregularities
• Diameter
• Elevation - is it flat or raised?
• Any bleeding, oozing or crusting

Biopsy

If the clinical exam isnt definitive, your dermatologist may remove all or part of the spot to examine under a microscope. This is called a biopsy. It provides a definitive diagnosis by allowing microscopic examination of skin cells.

Sunspot Treatments

Various treatments can remove sunspots if youre looking to reduce their appearance for cosmetic reasons:

Laser Treatments

Lasers that target melanin are an effective treatment option. The two main lasers used on sunspots are:

• Q-switched lasers: These high-intensity lasers break apart melanin granules quickly without damaging surrounding tissues. Your body then naturally eliminates the melanin fragments over 2-3 weeks.
• Fractional lasers: Instead of removing layers of skin evenly, fractional lasers create microscopic injuries in a pixelated pattern. This induces healing and collagen production that smoothes and evens out skin tone.

Chemical Peels

Chemical solution applied to the skin removes damaged outer layers to promote skin regeneration. Light, superficial peels are usually used which require little downtime. Repeat treatments are often needed for desired results.

Dermabrasion

Dermabrasion uses a handheld device to remove the outer layers of skin. After healing, new skin is regenerated. Proper anesthesia and aftercare are used to manage discomfort and prevent complications.

Cryotherapy

This technique freezes sunspots with liquid nitrogen to destroy abnormal pigment-producing cells. Side effects like blistering and swelling are temporary. Multiple sessions may be required.

Discuss all treatment options thoroughly with your dermatologist to decide whats right for your particular sun damage and medical history.

Preventing Future Sunspots

While sunspot treatments can successfully remove existing ones, preventing new ones boils down to sun protection. Key tips include:

• Apply broad spectrum sunscreen daily with SPF 30+ to exposed skin
• Wear protective clothing like wide-brimmed hats and sunglasses outdoors
• Avoid peak sun hours between 10am to 4pm
• Seek shade whenever possible while outside
• Avoid all tanning beds or intentional tanning

Being proactive about sun protection from an early age is key to promoting healthy skin and reducing risks of cosmetic sun damage like sunspots and wrinkles as you get older.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.