This is often referred to as the ugly duckling symptom. In other words, this spot just looks different from anything else and catches the eye. Melanoma is one of the deadliest forms of skin cancer. A family history of melanoma or a personal history of several sunburns or tanning bed usage increases the risk of melanoma. Having more than 40 moles also means routine monitoring by a dermatologist is warranted. B is border, which is typically irregular. C is color that most often is not the same throughout.
E is evolving, meaning the spot changes over time. Early detection and prompt medical treatment are crucial. Often free screenings are also available, so check out local health fairs or ask a medical professional. If you see a suspicious spot on your skin, run through the ABCs of melanoma, says Wolf. They are:. When your doctor is concerned about a particular spot, he or she might remove part or all of it and send it off for a biopsy. If you simply have age spots, as is the case most often, you have several options if they bother you for cosmetic reasons.
A dermatologist can remove or lighten the spots although insurance might not cover this procedure. Your doctor might recommend freezing the spot, using a chemical peel, or trying a laser treatment. You can also help prevent new ones by using sunscreen regularly. By subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Health Topics. Health Tools. Sunspots and sun damage can affect anyone but are more common in those with light skin or a previous occurrence of skin cancer. Individuals with moles, freckles, light eyes and hair or with a family history of sun damage or skin cancer are also at a greater risk. Most sunspots fade somewhat over time, but they will typically not disappear completely because the skin has been permanently damaged.
There are, however, several treatments to diminish the appearance of sunspots. Bleaching creams and acid peels can make the appearance of sunspots less obvious. Other treatments include chemical peels , cryotherapy , and laser skin resurfacing , which allows new skin to grow in place of the old, damaged skin.
The truth is, the sun exposure you have before the age of 20 is a major determining factor of how your skin will look when you are older. Every day that you protect your skin from damaging UV rays will help your skin look more youthful down the road. Other ways to protect your skin from sun damage include wearing protective clothing such as long sleeves, pants, a wide-brimmed hat, and UV-filtering sunglasses.
Generally speaking, sunspots on your face are nothing to worry about. Do you have sunspots or have you noticed changes in your skin? If you have a sunspot or mole that has changed in size or color — or a new mole or growth — contact U. Dermatology Partners today to speak with one of our board-certified dermatologists. Darker people typically have more melanin. You can ramp up melanin production by spending time in the sun or a tanning bed. You may also find other "remedies" by casually browsing the internet , but keep in mind that there's no scientific evidence to back the effectiveness of applying any of the following to your skin for sunspots:.
Sunspots can sometimes resemble cancerous growths. The ABCDE rule can help you differentiate between the two and identify potential signs of melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer:. To rule out the possibility of cancer, your dermatologist will probably perform a skin biopsy, where they collect a small sample of the skin for lab analysis of any cancerous cells.
However, you can reduce your risk of developing a lot of sunspots by minimizing your exposure to UV rays. It's also important to note the risk factors that may make you more prone to developing sunspots:. Sunspots are small, dark spots that you may see on your skin, particularly if you spend a lot of time in the sun.
They are harmless and don't require treatment. However, you can take steps to reduce or eliminate them, if you prefer.
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