When a spot appears on your face, it can cause anxiety and unhappiness. This reaction often comes from concerns about skin cancer, skin conditions, or simply disliking dark spots. Small brown patches on the skin can mean many different things, but it’s important to understand which ones may pose a higher risk or require medical attention.
Raised dark spots on the skin deserve attention due to their texture and potential implications. These spots can indicate underlying conditions, including an increased risk of developing skin cancer, such as basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma. Understanding the most common types of skin discoloration, including small dark patches, helps you determine their causes and available treatments.
Common Dark Spots on the Face: Causes, Symptoms, and Remedies
Age Spots, Sun Spots (Solar Lentigo), Liver Spots
Sun spots, also known as solar lentigo (solar lentigines-plural), liver spots, and age spots, are some of the more common types of dark brown spots on your face. Solar lentigo develops as a result of sun exposure and damage throughout our lifetimes.
If you have a history of severe sunburns, then you are more likely to develop sunspots. Ultraviolet (UV) light from any source, such as tanning beds, can accelerate skin aging and pigmentation issues. These age spots will develop as a result of melanin (the substance that gives your skin pigment) clumping together.
Generally, sun spots are small and fairly uniform. While any sunspot can eventually turn into melanoma (see below), the vast majority of sunspots will only be harmless pigment spots. The ABCDE rule is a helpful guide when looking for signs of melanoma.
Age Spot Treatment & Prevention
Rigorous sun protection is one of the best ways to help fade and prevent more sun spots from developing. Applying broad-spectrum sunscreen when outdoors minimizes UV damage and limits the formation of pigment irregularities.. There are also some specific treatments that can also help lighten sunspots.
Sunspot treatment includes certain over-the-counter (OTC) brightening creams, prescription creams, and other types of dermatology procedures that your dermatologist may perform. OTC fade creams usually contain hydroquinone or retinol as their active ingredients. Your dermatologist will sometimes prescribe stronger versions of the hydroquinone or a prescription medicine known as tretinoin. Tretinoin is a type of medicine that is more potent than OTC retinol.
Chemical peels are a safe and effective way to reduce skin discoloration and remove age spots. This treatment uses a chemical solution to remove the outer layer of the skin. For better results, dermatologists may also suggest cryotherapy and dermabrasion.
Cryotherapy may be uncomfortable, but it quickly targets melanin-producing cells. Dermabrasion takes longer, but studies show that patients who receive treatment twice a week for 16 weeks will see sun spots disappear.
Seborrheic Keratosis
Seborrheic keratosis is a type of benign skin growth that often appears dark in color, usually on the face. However, it can appear anywhere on the body. These spots typically develop in adulthood and tend to increase with age.
Generally, we see these as a scaling, rough, raised, dark bump on the face which may appear as though you could pick it off the skin. When we see seborrheic keratoses, there are usually multiple spots.
Seborrheic Keratosis Treatment Options
Although seborrheic keratosis does not require treatment, a dermatologist may treat it with liquid nitrogen cryotherapy (freezing). Dermatology healthcare professionals recommend following a skin care regimen and putting Vaseline on seborrheic keratosis areas at bedtime to reduce the amount of scale over the top of them. Vaseline may also temporarily improve the appearance of seborrheic keratosis.
Moles
Moles can also present as raised dark spots on the skin, varying widely in size, shape, and color. While most moles are harmless, some may indicate conditions like squamous cell carcinoma if they exhibit irregular characteristics. Dermatologists often evaluate moles using the ABCDE rule to determine if further action is necessary.
If a mole shows signs of asymmetry, irregular borders, or color variation, it should be examined promptly. Dermatologists may recommend a biopsy to ensure there are no cancerous changes. Regular skin checks, both at home and with a professional, are critical in catching potential issues early.
Please refer to our earlier blog for more information about identifying worrisome moles.
Postinflammatory Hyperpigmentation
The fourth most common condition we see causing dark spots on the face is known as postinflammatory hyperpigmentation. Any condition which involves inflammation of the skin (especially acne), stimulates excess melanin production, leaving behind uneven skin pigmentation. Although these spots may fade on their own, that can take months or longer.
Several different treatments can be used to help fade postinflammatory hyperpigmentation including laser treatments and chemical peels. Some products for treating dark spots are available over the counter as lightening/fade creams. Additionally, your dermatology provider may be able to perform procedures in the office to help fade them as well.
There are two important factors in the treatment of postinflammatory hyperpigmentation. First, treating the underlying condition which leads to the sudden dark spots on your skin can help reduce the number of spots that develop. Second, shielding these areas from ultraviolet light (the sun or tanning beds) is incredibly important. Light from tanning beds or the sun may darken them and make them last longer.
Treatment options include laser therapy, chemical peels, and topical depigmenting agents. OTC skin brightening products containing niacinamide, kojic acid, or vitamin C help lighten pigmentation over time. Protecting affected areas from UV exposure prevents worsening.
Melanoma – Skin Cancer
A fifth and more concerning cause of raised dark spots on the skin is melanoma, a form of skin cancer that can develop spontaneously or within a pre-existing sunspot or mole. The most important thing to identify when looking for melanomas is that moles/spots are uniform. These characteristics set them apart from benign conditions like seborrheic keratosis.
The risk of developing skin cancer is higher in individuals with a history of sun exposure, particularly when protective measures like sunscreen are not consistently used. The best dermatologists know that the ABCDE rule is a very helpful tool for our patients to use when looking at any dark spots on their skin.
ABCDE Rule
- Asymmetry – Non-cancerous moles are typically uniform and symmetrical in shape.
- Border – Melanoma often has borders that are irregular, ragged, notched, or blurred.
- Color – Moles that are benign (non-cancerous) are typically one color and do not include different shades of brown or black, or sometimes with patches of pink, red, white, or blue.
- Diameter – Melanoma growths are normally larger than 6mm in diameter.
- Evolving – Unlike most benign moles, melanoma changes over time. If you have a mole or skin growth, watch it for signs of changes in size, shape, and color.
If you notice any of the ACBDEs of melanoma, it is important that you tell your dermatologist right away and schedule an appointment. Performing regular skin checks at home, as well as annual skin checks with a dermatologist, can help you catch skin cancer before it becomes life-threatening.
Caring for Your Skin and Addressing Dark Spots
Understanding the causes and characteristics of small dark spots on skin empowers you to take proactive steps for healthier skin. Protecting your skin from sun damage, monitoring changes in spots, and consulting a dermatologist for professional advice are essential for addressing pigmentation issues effectively. Treatments like chemical peels, counter creams, or cryotherapy can remove the top layer of affected skin and restore a more even tone.
The following strategies help manage skin pigmentation issues effectively:
- Use broad-spectrum sunscreen to prevent further sun damage and hyperpigmentation.
- Monitor pigment changes and track any new or evolving dark patches on the skin.
- Consult a dermatologist for professional assessment and treatment options.
- Incorporate skin-brightening treatments, such as chemical peels, brightening creams, and laser therapy.
- Stay consistent with skincare routines that include antioxidants, exfoliants, and hydrating ingredients to maintain an even complexion.
Taking early action improves skin clarity and prevents worsening skin pigmentation issues. Developing a customized skincare regimen with professional guidance fosters long-term skin health. Dermatologists provide expert insight into pigmentation treatment solutions, helping restore radiant, even-toned skin.
Advanced Dermatology of the Midlands | Best Dermatologist Omaha, NE & Council Bluffs, IA | Board Certified Dermatologists
Take the first step toward healthier, clearer skin by visiting Advanced Dermatology of the Midlands. Our board-certified dermatologists specialize in treating small dark spots on skin and other pigmentation concerns. Using advanced technology and evidence-based medicine, we create personalized treatment plans to address your unique needs. Contact us to schedule a consultation and let our experienced team help you achieve vibrant, healthy skin.
