Solar keratoses, or commonly known as sun spots are skin lesions that develop as a result of exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays.
These spots usually vary in size from as small as 2 millimetres up to 20 millimetres across. They can also appear as scaly or warty.
The colour of sun spots varies too. They can appear as being barely noticeable darkening in skin colour to a more obvious red.
Where can you find them
They are common on areas of the skin that has been exposed to the sun, such as the nose, the face, upper lips, ear, neck and back of the hands.
The good news is that these spots are not cancerous.
Treating sun spots
Sun spots take years to develop, so it's no wonder that some treatments may take time to work. However, some treatments may provide quick results but they may require lengthy recovery time. It is advised to consult your Doctor to seek professional medical advice.
Some of the following techniques may be of help:
- Lightening creams
- Laser therapy
- Chemical peel
- Freezing - also called cryotherapy
- Home remedies - Applying a bit of lemon juice diluted in water can help fade the appearance of sun spots. However, it increases the skin's sensitivity to sunlight - so if you plan to go outdoors, cover up with Solbari or sunscreen and protect the skin from direct sun exposure.
If at any time you feel you are unsure about a spot, mole or freckle, please contact your GP or dermatologist as soon as possible to get your skin checked.
You can find out more about Solbari's certified UPF50+ sun protective range by clicking the blue links below:
The Solbari Team
This blog is for information purposes only, always consult a medical professional.