Liver spots are flat areas of increased pigmentation caused mainly by years of ultraviolet exposure. The medical name is solar lentigines, and they are also called age spots or sun spots. They have no connection with liver disease and are usually harmless.
What they look like
Solar lentigines are usually:
- flat and smooth rather than raised
- tan, brown or dark brown
- round or oval with a reasonably clear edge
- found on sun-exposed areas such as the face, shoulders, forearms and backs of the hands
- more common and numerous with age and cumulative sun exposure
They can occur on every skin tone, although the color and contrast vary. A raised, rough or waxy brown growth may be a different benign condition, such as a seborrhoeic keratosis.
When a dark mark should be checked
It is not always possible to distinguish an age spot from melanoma or another skin condition without examination. Arrange a prompt assessment if a mark:
- is new and looks different from your other marks
- changes in size, shape or color
- has an irregular border or several colors
- becomes raised, scaly, itchy, painful or inflamed
- bleeds, crusts or does not heal
A clinician may examine the mark with a dermatoscope. If the diagnosis is uncertain, a sample or complete removal may be recommended. Do not try to bleach, freeze or burn an undiagnosed dark lesion at home.
Do liver spots need treatment?
Harmless solar lentigines do not require treatment. Cosmetic options may include prescription fading creams, cryotherapy, chemical peels, intense pulsed light or laser treatment. Results vary, and procedures can cause irritation, scarring or lighter or darker pigmentation, particularly in darker skin tones.
A dermatologist should confirm that the mark is benign before cosmetic treatment. Sun protection remains important because treatment does not prevent new spots from forming.
Protecting sun-exposed skin
- Use broad-spectrum sunscreen with an appropriate high SPF and reapply as directed.
- Seek shade when ultraviolet radiation is strongest.
- Wear protective clothing, a hat and sunglasses.
- Avoid tanning beds.
- Check your skin regularly for new or changing marks.
Solar lentigines are a sign of accumulated sun exposure. Regular protection can also reduce further photoaging, actinic keratoses and skin cancer risk. Find more guidance in Skin Health.
Sources
Reviewed: 28 August 2026
Medical disclaimer: This information is general and cannot diagnose a skin mark. Have new, changing or unusual lesions assessed by a qualified healthcare professional.