What Are Sunspots?
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Medically reviewed by Casey Gallagher, MD
Sunspots are dark spots on the skin that appear after you experience too much ultraviolet (UV) light exposure. Also called age spots, liver spots, or solar lentigines, sunspots are a type of hyperpigmentation (aka dark spots). Anyone can get sunspots, but they usually appear around age 40—thanks to more years spent in the sun.
These spots happen when cells that produce skin pigment (called melanin) overproduce after excessive sun exposure, causing dark spots on the skin. Unlike skin cancer, sun spots are not dangerous or precancerous. Still, while sunspots do not need to be treated for health reasons, you can fade their appearance with creams and cosmetic procedures. There are also ways to reduce your risk of developing them if you spend a lot of time outside.
Symptoms
Sunspots usually look like flat, oval, dark spots on the skin. They can appear tan, brown, or black in color. Some people may notice freckle-sized sunspots or larger patches caused by several sunspots. You are more likely to notice sunspots on areas of your skin that have a higher level of sun exposure, like your:
Face
Chest
Back
Shoulders
Arms
Sunspots should not hurt, itch, or bleed. If you notice dark spots that do this, you may have another skin condition such as a mole or cancerous growth. In such cases, it's important to see your healthcare provider or a dermatologist (a doctor who specializes in skin conditions) for testing.
What Causes Sunspots?
Sunspots occur after too much sun exposure, which leads to overactive skin pigment cells. When skin becomes exposed to the sun, melanin (skin pigment) production speeds up to help prevent UV rays from penetrating and damaging your skin. Artificial UV sources like tanning beds or sunlamps can have the same effect. Over time, too much UV exposure can permanently alter the skin’s melanin production. This causes concentrated areas of melanin that form dark spots.
Anyone can develop sunspots if they spend time in the sun or tanning beds. But you’re more likely to develop sunspots in your 40s since your skin has more years of continuous sun exposure. This is why sunspots are also called age spots. Your genetics may also increase your risk of developing sunspots or sun poisoning. Researchers have found gene markers that may contribute to melanin overproduction after chronic sun exposure.
Diagnosis
If you develop new spots on your skin, there's no harm in getting them checked out. A board-certified dermatologist can diagnose sunspots and determine whether your spots are instead due to skin cancer or other precancerous growths.
During your visit, a dermatologist will perform a skin exam and ask about your medical history and sun exposure. The skin exam includes looking at your face, scalp, hands, feet, and body for physical signs of sun spots or other skin issues. If your dermatologist sees any suspicious dark spots, they may take a skin biopsy to test the spot for cancer.
How Can You Get Rid of Sunspots?
Sunspots don’t cause health issues and don’t require treatment. Still, if you don’t like how your sunspots look, you can use different skincare products to fade their appearance. A dermatologist can also offer cosmetic procedures that fade and sometimes remove sunspots.
Creams and Lotions
Different skincare products may help fade the appearance of sunspots. These are typically available over-the-counter (OTC), but a dermatologist can also offer prescription-strength topical treatments (creams and lotions you can apply directly to your skin). For best results, apply sunspot-fading creams to your skin once or twice a day for a few weeks or months.
Your dermatologist will often recommend topical treatments that include the following active ingredients:
Azelaic acid
Retinoids (such as retinol, adapalene gel, tretinoin, tazarotene)
Azelaic acid, kojic acid, and vitamin C help block the skin’s tyrosinase production, an enzyme that helps control melanin production. This can help reduce the skin pigment that causes sun spots. Glycolic acid can fade sunspots by chemically exfoliating the top layer of your skin. This has a brightening and fading effect that can help even skin tone. Retinoids help increase cell turnover, which also exfoliates the skin and fades sunspots.
Cosmetic Procedures
Cosmetic procedures by board-certified dermatologists often work faster than topical treatments. They are also more effective at fading dark spots than creams or lotions. However, these procedures are more costly and cause more side effects. Hyperpigmentation procedures that can treat sunspots include:
Laser treatments: A laser destroys melanin-producing cells, fading sunspots in about one to two treatments. You may have side effects like crusting or temporary darkening on the skin that usually resolves quickly. Some studies have shown lasers can also remove sunspots entirely.
Cryosurgery: A dermatologist uses liquid nitrogen to freeze off sunspots, which helps fade their appearance as new skin grows. This procedure is quick but can be painful. You may also experience pain, blisters, redness, and swelling as the skin heals.
Microdermabrasion: A dermatologist uses an abrasive device to exfoliate sunspots. In some cases, this procedure has helped sunspots disappear after 16 weeks of twice-a-week treatments. Side effects typically include mild inflammation and flakey skin.
Chemical peel: A chemical solution is applied to the skin to exfoliate away layers of skin to fade dark spots. This can lead to redness, itchiness, and peeling as the skin heals. Studies have also shown combining chemical peels and microdermabrasion had the best results in removing sunspots.
How To Prevent Sunspots
Fortunately, there are also ways to prevent sunspots by protecting your skin from the sun. Some dermatologist-recommended ways to improve your skin protection include:
Using sunscreen: Choose a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30. Don’t forget an SPF 30-plus lip balm for your lips.
Applying enough sunscreen: Use about 1 ounce of sunscreen (about a shot glass worth) to cover your whole body.
Reapplying your SPF: Apply sunscreen 15 minutes before you go outside and reapply every 2 hours.
Covering up your skin: Wear sun-protection clothing with an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) label, hats, long-sleeve lightweight shirts, lightweight pants, and shoes that cover your feet.
Seeking shade: Hang out in the shade when the sun’s rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Quick tip: if your shadow is shorter than you, it’s time for shade.
Avoiding tanning beds: Artificial UV rays can quickly damage your skin, leading to premature aging and sunspots.
Related Conditions
Sunspots themselves are not dangerous. This type of hyperpigmentation is noncancerous and can’t turn into skin cancer like melanoma. However, having sunspots is an indicator that you may have excessive sun exposure damaging your skin. As a result, people with sunspots may be more at risk of developing skin cancers like:
Actinic keratosis: Dry, scaly spots or patches that are precancerous growths
Melanoma: Cancerous moles caused by overactive melanocytes (cells in the epidermis that make melanin)
Basal cell carcinoma: Pink patches or flesh-colored round bumps due to damaged and rapidly growing basal cells in the epidermis (the outer layer of your skin)
Squamous cell carcinoma: Firm red bumps, scaly patches, or sores that heal and re-open due to an overgrowth of squamous cells in the epidermis
Sunspots can often be confused with skin cancer, so it’s always a good idea to see your dermatologist if you notice any new spots on your skin.
Living With Sunspots
Sunspots are typically permanent, but they are not dangerous to your health and cannot cause skin cancer. Still, if you notice new sunspots, see a board-certified dermatologist to make sure it’s actually a sunspot and not skin cancer. It’s also important to continue protecting your skin from more sun damage with protective clothing and sunscreen.
If you don’t like how sunspots alter your appearance, you can help fade them with OTC and prescription creams or lotions. Products containing azelaic acid, glycolic acid, kojic acid, and vitamin C help reduce melanin production to fade sunspots. Retinoids and glycolic acid can help exfoliate skin and fade sunspots. If you still can’t fade your sunspots, your dermatologist may recommend more procedures like laser treatments, cryosurgery, microdermabrasion, or chemical peels.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are sun spots serious?
Sunspots are not serious or dangerous to your health. While sunspots indicate some sun damage, they cannot become skin cancer.
How long do sunspots last?
Sunspots are typically permanent. Cosmetic procedures and creams may help fade sunspots to some degree. In some cases, microdermabrasion, laser treatments, or combining microdermabrasion with chemical peels have helped remove sunspots.
Can you reverse sun spots?
You cannot reverse the UV skin damage that causes sun spots. The sun damage has actually changed your skin cells. However, you can reduce the appearance of sun spots with cosmetic procedures and creams. You can also help prevent new sunspots by wearing protective clothing and sunscreen.
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