What are sun spots and are they dangerous?

Living in Australia, we have a complicated relationship with the sun. We love the beach and the outdoors, but our skin often pays the price down the track. If you have noticed flat, brown marks appearing on your face, hands, or shoulders as you’ve gotten older, you likely have sun spots. Also known as solar lentigines, liver spots, or age spots, these marks are essentially the receipts for time spent outdoors without adequate protection [1].

While they are extremely common—affecting the vast majority of Australian adults over 50—finding a new spot on your skin can be worrying. Are they harmless signs of aging, or something more sinister? In this guide, we will break down exactly what sun spots are, how to tell them apart from skin cancer, and the most effective ways to treat them.

Key takeaways

• Sun spots are generally harmless: They are non-cancerous lesions caused by long-term UV exposure, not an immediate health threat.
• They indicate sun damage: While the spot itself is benign, its presence suggests your skin has received significant UV radiation, which is a risk factor for other skin issues.
• Know the ABCDEs: If a spot changes shape, border, or colour, it needs to be checked by a doctor immediately.
• Treatment is available: You can fade sun spots effectively using prescription ingredients like hydroquinone and retinoids.

Spot the difference: Sun spots vs. dangerous moles

Before diving into treatment, it is helpful to understand the visual differences between a typical sun spot and a lesion that might require medical attention. This table provides a general guide, but it does not replace a professional skin check.

What exactly are sun spots?

Sun spots are darkened patches of skin that appear in areas most frequently exposed to the sun, such as the face, hands, shoulders, and décolletage. The medical term for them is solar lentigines (singular: solar lentigo). Unlike freckles (ephelides), which often fade during winter and appear in childhood, sun spots tend to persist year-round and become more prevalent as we age [2].

They occur because of the skin's defense mechanism against ultraviolet (UV) radiation. When sunlight hits our skin, it stimulates cells called melanocytes to produce melanin—the pigment that gives our skin its colour. This is what gives you a tan; it’s your body trying to protect its DNA from UV damage. Over years of exposure, this melanin can clump together or be produced in high concentrations in specific areas, resulting in the permanent hyperpigmentation we know as sun spots [1].

Are sunspots sun related only?

Primarily, yes. The key driver is cumulative UV exposure. This is why they are so common in Australia, where UV levels are high. However, other factors like genetics and fair skin type play a role in how susceptible you are to developing them. While "age spots" implies they are strictly about getting older, they are really about the amount of sun your skin has seen over time. You can read more about mature skin concerns here.

Are they dangerous?

The short answer is no: true sun spots are benign, meaning they are not cancerous and will not spread to other parts of the body. They do not require medical treatment for health reasons [3].

However, there is an important caveat. Because sun spots are caused by significant sun exposure, having them is a marker that your skin has sustained damage. If you have many sun spots, you are statistically at a higher risk of developing skin cancers, such as melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, or squamous cell carcinoma, simply because your total UV load has been high [4].

It can also be difficult for an untrained eye to distinguish between a harmless sun spot and an early melanoma or a pigmented actinic keratosis (a pre-cancerous rough patch). This is why regular skin checks with a GP or dermatologist are essential.

When to see a doctor

You should book a skin check immediately if a spot demonstrates any of the "ABCDE" warning signs of melanoma:

• Asymmetry: The shape is irregular.
• Border: The edges are ragged or blurred.
• Colour: It contains different shades of brown, black, or red.
• Diameter: It is larger than 6mm (though some cancers can be smaller).
• Evolving: It changes in size, shape, colour, or starts bleeding/itching.

How to treat sun spots

While sun spots aren't dangerous, many people choose to treat them for cosmetic reasons to achieve a clearer, more even complexion. The approach to treatment usually involves a combination of preventing new spots and fading existing ones.

1. Sun Protection (The Non-Negotiable)

No treatment will work if you continue to damage your skin. You must wear a high-SPF, broad-spectrum sunscreen daily. This prevents existing spots from darkening and stops new ones from forming.

2. Prescription Topical Treatments

Topical creams are often the first line of defence for hyperpigmentation. Prescription-strength ingredients are significantly more effective than over-the-counter cosmetics.

• Hydroquinone: Often considered the gold standard for treating pigmentation. It works by inhibiting the enzyme tyrosinase, which is crucial for melanin production. By slowing down pigment production, it allows dark spots to fade over time [5]. You can learn more about hydroquinone here.
• Retinoids (Tretinoin): Prescription retinoids accelerate cell turnover. This helps shed the heavily pigmented skin cells on the surface more quickly, revealing fresh skin underneath. They also boost collagen production, which improves overall skin texture [6]. Read our comparison of retinol vs tretinoin.
• Vitamin C: While often available over the counter, high-potency Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) is a powerful antioxidant that interferes with pigment production and brightens the skin.

3. Clinical Procedures

For stubborn spots that don't respond to creams, dermatologists may use physical treatments. These include Cryotherapy (freezing the spot), chemical peels (using acids to remove the top layers of skin), or laser therapies (IPL or Q-switched lasers) that target melanin directly [2]. These treatments can be effective but often require downtime and can be costly. For many patients, a course of prescription skincare is a convenient and effective starting point.

If you are struggling with uneven skin tone and want to explore prescription options tailored to your skin, you can complete our digital assessment. Our doctors can determine if ingredients like prescription pigmentation creams are suitable for you.