Age spots — also called sun spots, liver spots or solar lentigines — are flat brown patches on skin that has had years of sun: the face, backs of the hands, shoulders and arms. They are harmless. The problem is that some skin cancers can look similar at first, so it's worth knowing the difference.
What age spots look like
- Flat, oval, tan to dark brown.
- Even colour and a smooth, regular edge.
- Usually small, from a few millimetres to about a centimetre.
- On sun-exposed areas, appearing gradually from your 30s or 40s.
- They don't itch, bleed or change quickly.
The ABCDE warning signs of melanoma
- A — Asymmetry: one half doesn't match the other.
- B — Border: ragged, notched or blurred edges.
- C — Colour: several colours or uneven shades (brown, black, red, white, blue).
- D — Diameter: larger than about 6mm, though melanomas can be smaller.
- E — Evolving: any change in size, shape, colour, height, or new symptoms like bleeding or itching.
See a doctor promptly for any spot that is new and looks different from your others, changes, bleeds, itches, crusts or doesn't heal. Rough, scaly patches on sun-exposed skin should also be checked. No app or article can rule out skin cancer; only an examination can.
Fading harmless age spots
- Daily sunscreen: essential, or spots darken and return.
- Retinoids, vitamin C, tranexamic acid and niacinamide fade spots gradually over months.
- Hydroquinone (prescription in many countries) is effective for short courses.
- In-office: laser and IPL treatments, and cryotherapy, can remove spots faster.
Rosee scans your face on your iPhone and tracks texture, tone, hydration, glow, redness and dark circles from scan to scan, so you can see whether a routine is actually working instead of guessing from the mirror. The photo never leaves your phone. After seven scans it also estimates a Skin Vitality Age, rounded to whole years and never from a single selfie. Every feature is open for your first week, then it is a monthly or yearly subscription.
Frequently asked questions
How can you tell if an age spot is skin cancer?
Age spots are flat, evenly coloured and stable. Warning signs of skin cancer include asymmetry, irregular borders, multiple colours, size over about 6mm, and any change, bleeding or itching. A doctor should examine anything suspicious.
Can age spots turn into cancer?
True age spots (solar lentigines) are benign and don't turn into cancer, but they show sun damage, which raises skin cancer risk overall. Some cancers can be mistaken for age spots, so changing spots need a check.
What is the best way to remove age spots?
Laser, IPL or cryotherapy remove them fastest. At home, retinoids, vitamin C, tranexamic acid and daily sunscreen fade them over months.