Sunspots, also known as solar lentigines or age spots, are common skin discolorations that frequently appear on areas exposed to the sun. These flat, brownish marks develop over time due to cumulative exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from sunlight. While generally benign, their presence indicates past sun damage to the skin. Understanding the characteristics of these spots and how to manage them is helpful for skin health.
Identifying Sunspots on Shoulders
Sunspots on shoulders typically appear as flat patches of skin that are darker than the surrounding area, ranging in color from tan to dark brown or even black. Their shape can be round, oval, or irregular, and their size may vary from a few millimeters to several centimeters. These spots usually feel smooth to the touch and do not raise above the skin’s surface. Shoulders are a common location for sunspots because they receive significant and frequent sun exposure. This repeated UV exposure stimulates melanocytes, the pigment-producing cells in the skin, to produce excess melanin. These common sunspots are considered harmless and do not pose a health risk.
Preventing New Sunspots
Preventing the formation of new sunspots involves consistent and proactive measures to limit UV exposure. Applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 30 or higher is an effective daily strategy. Sunscreen should be generously applied to all exposed skin and reapplied every two hours, or more frequently if swimming or sweating.
Wearing protective clothing offers a physical barrier against UV rays. Long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and wide-brimmed hats made of tightly woven fabrics can significantly reduce sun exposure. Some clothing also carries an Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) rating, indicating its level of sun protection.
Seeking shade, especially during peak sun hours between 10 AM and 4 PM, helps minimize direct UV radiation exposure. Even in the shade, reflective surfaces like water or sand can still expose skin to UV rays, so combining shade with other protective measures is advisable.
Avoiding tanning beds is also important, as the UV radiation from these devices can cause sunspots and increase the risk of skin damage.
When to Consult a Doctor
While most sunspots are harmless, certain changes in any skin lesion warrant a medical evaluation to rule out skin cancer. Dermatologists often advise observing the “ABCDEs” of melanoma, a serious skin cancer, when examining spots:
- Asymmetry: One half of the spot does not match the other.
- Border irregularity: Edges are uneven, ragged, or blurred.
- Color variation: Multiple colors (brown, black, tan, red, white, blue) within a single spot.
- Diameter: Greater than 6 millimeters (roughly a pencil eraser).
- Evolving: Any change in size, shape, color, or symptoms like itching or bleeding.
Consulting a healthcare professional is recommended for any new or unusual skin spots, or if existing spots exhibit any of these characteristics. Early detection and diagnosis of skin cancer can lead to more favorable outcomes.
Options for Existing Sunspots
For individuals seeking to reduce the appearance of existing sunspots, several options are available after a medical professional confirms the spots are benign. At-home topical creams containing ingredients like retinoids, alpha hydroxy acids, or vitamin C can help lighten pigmentation over time by promoting skin cell turnover and inhibiting melanin production. Some natural remedies like aloe vera, apple cider vinegar, and licorice extract are also explored for their skin-lightening properties.
Professional treatments offer more targeted and often quicker results. These treatments are typically chosen for cosmetic reasons once a dermatologist has confirmed the spots are not cancerous.
- Cryotherapy: Involves freezing the sunspot with liquid nitrogen, causing the pigmented cells to slough off and allowing new, lighter skin to appear.
- Laser therapy (e.g., Intense Pulsed Light or IPL): Uses specific wavelengths of light to target and break down the excess melanin in the spots without damaging the surrounding skin.
- Chemical peels: Involve applying a solution to the skin to exfoliate the top layer, revealing smoother, more evenly toned skin underneath.
- Microdermabrasion: Uses a device to gently abrade the skin’s surface, promoting new cell growth and reducing the appearance of spots.