What are Sunspots?
Sunspots are flat areas of skin discoloration that vary from tan, to different shades of brown. Sunspots are also commonly known as liver spots, but actually have nothing to do with your liver! The name came about because they were once thought to be a sign of a malfunctioning liver and the spots are often the color of the liver. Sunspots generally develop on areas of your skin that are regularly exposed to the sun, such as your face, shoulders, back, back of your hands or forearms, and feet. Typically, sunspots start to appear around the age of 40, but some people may develop them earlier or later in their lives, depending on the amount of sun exposure they’ve had (Santos-Longhurst).
Tanning occurs when the sun emits ultraviolet (UV) radiation that increases the production of skin cells, known as melanocytes. Melanocytes produce melanin, a type of pigment that gives the skin its color. When there is a boost or reduction in melanin production in particular areas, overpigmentated (hyperpigmented) or underpigmented (hypopigmented) skin occurs. Sunspots are the result of hyperpigmented skin blemishes caused by long term sun exposure (Caporuscio).
Are Sunspots Bad?
Sunspots can be a nuisance and you may have a lot of questions about the impact of these little discolored spots. Are sunspots permanent? Do sunspots grow? Do sunspots go away? Can sunspots be removed? We have all the answers! First, let’s answer the biggest question: are sunspots bad? Despite their appearance, sunspots are generally harmless! They are not a sign of cancer and do not put your health at serious risk. These benign areas of pigmented skin are, however, easily confused with other types of similar looking sun-related spots on the skin.
Sunspots, or Something Else?
Sunspots are often mistaken for other skin conditions that mimic its appearance (Santos-Longhurst). This is why it is extremely important to always get checked out by a medical professional if you are unsure of your skin condition. Identifying correctly between sunspots, freckles, birthmarks, melasma, and skin cancer requires an understanding of each.
Similar to sunspots, melasma is also a common skin issue that affects areas with long term sun exposure, which mainly includes the forehead, cheeks, nose, and upper lip. Melasma presents itself on the skin as brown or gray-brown patches and is normally concentrated on the face, but can also appear on the arms, neck, and back. There are unique situations where melasma can typically fade on its own, and that is when it is triggered by a specific change, such as pregnancy or birth control pills. Once the baby is delivered or the birth control pills are stopped, then melasma can fade (American Academy of Dermatology Association). Additionally, melasma is also more common in women as it can be triggered by hormones and is very common during pregnancy, thereby is often referred to as a “pregnancy mask”. Melasma is also harmless and more of a beauty concern than a medical one.
Freckles, like sunspots, are flat brown spots that are more noticeable in the summer when exposed to more sunlight and can fade or disappear in the wintertime. These spots are genetically passed down and most often seen in fair-skinned individuals. What differentiates freckles from sunspots is that unlike sunspots, freckles become less apparent with age.
Birthmarks come in all shapes, sizes, and colors and appear at birth or shortly afterwards. There are two main types of birthmarks: pigmented and vascular. A pigmented birthmark is made of a cluster of abnormal pigment cells in the skin. They can range from many different colors, such as tan, brown, gray to black, or even blue. Vascular birthmarks are a result of blood vessels that haven’t formed correctly, which forms clumps under the skin. They are usually assorted shades of red or pink. Like sunspots, a majority of birthmarks are harmless, but some can be associated with health problems and require further professional medical consultations.
According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, skin cancer is the most common cancer in the US and worldwide and 1 in 5 Americans will develop it by the age of 70. The two main causes of skin cancer are the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV rays) and the use of UV tanning beds (Dr. Sarnoff, M.D.). Sunspots are typically harmless, but can also be cancerous. While sunspots can change in shape and size, any spots that grow rapidly, changes in appearance, or seem questionable should be evaluated by a medical professional.
Do Sunspots Go Away?
Are you wondering… will sunspots go away completely or do sunspots fade eventually? With time, some sunspots can fade on their own, but they usually will not naturally disappear completely. A spot that is a few shades darker than your natural skin color will usually fade within the year, but if the color lies deep in your skin, fading can take many years. Prevention is always easier and better than trying to cure sunspots later on. It is important to use a mineral sunscreen, such as The Day Cream from Musely, daily to protect your skin. Other options include wearing long sleeved clothing to cover up your skin outdoors or avoiding the sun during its peak hours from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunspots slowly darken over time with continued sun exposure. It is possible for sunspots to fade naturally if the sun is avoided for a long period of time!
Can Sunspots Be Removed?
Not satisfied with the answer to the questions of do sunspots go away on their own or when do sunspots disappear because you’re hoping for a faster solution? Are you also wondering if they require treatment for removal? As stated before, sunspots aren’t harmful and they don’t need to be treated. However, for people who want to treat it for cosmetic reasons, there are several options for treatments for cosmetic reasons!