Age spots in the UK: learn what solar lentigines look like, treatment options, and when a brown spot needs urgent medical review.
Hebra Editorial Team
Hebra Journal
Age spots are one of the most common skin concerns in the UK, especially for people over 40 — yet they're also one of the most misunderstood. Knowing what age spots are, how they form, and crucially when they might be something more serious, can make a real difference to your skin health. This guide covers everything you need to know about age spots in the UK, from causes and home care through to professional treatment options.
Age spots — medically known as solar lentigines — are flat, brown, grey, or black patches that develop on areas of skin regularly exposed to the sun. Common sites include the face, hands, shoulders, forearms, and chest.
Despite their name, age spots are not caused by ageing itself. They're caused by cumulative UV radiation exposure over many years, which triggers localised overproduction of melanin — the pigment that gives skin its colour. Because UV damage accumulates over a lifetime, age spots do tend to appear more frequently after the age of 50, but younger people who spend a lot of time outdoors can develop them too.
They are entirely benign (non-cancerous) and don't require medical treatment. However, knowing how to distinguish them from potentially dangerous lesions like melanoma is critically important.
One of the biggest concerns people have when they notice a new brown spot is whether it could be skin cancer. The good news is that there are clear visual differences — but when in doubt, always get a professional opinion.
Typical age spot characteristics:
Warning signs that suggest something more serious:
This is the ABCDE rule used by dermatologists worldwide. If a spot ticks any of these boxes, it needs to be assessed by a skin specialist promptly.
It's worth noting that melanoma is the fifth most common cancer in the UK, with approximately 16,700 new cases diagnosed annually, according to Cancer Research UK. Early detection is vital — five-year survival rates exceed 90% when melanoma is caught at stage one. That's why prompt skin assessment matters so much.
Related read: when to see a dermatologist
The primary cause is ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun and from artificial sources like tanning beds. UV light accelerates melanin production in the skin as a protective response. When this happens repeatedly over many years in the same areas, the melanin clumps together, forming flat, darkened patches.
Several factors can increase your likelihood of developing age spots:
Age spots themselves aren't preventable in those who have already had years of sun exposure, but consistent use of broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen every day — even in cloudy UK weather — can slow new ones forming and prevent existing ones from darkening.
Because age spots are harmless, the NHS does not typically fund their removal, as treatment is considered cosmetic. However, several effective options are available privately:
Topical treatments Prescription-strength creams containing retinoids (vitamin A derivatives), hydroquinone, azelaic acid, or kojic acid can fade age spots gradually over weeks to months. These are generally used as a first step and are most effective on lighter spots.
Cryotherapy A quick procedure in which liquid nitrogen is applied to the spot to "freeze" the excess pigment. It's fast and effective, though there's a small risk of temporary or permanent changes to skin tone in the treated area.
Laser therapy Laser treatments — such as Q-switched Nd:YAG or intense pulsed light (IPL) — are among the most effective options for stubborn or numerous age spots. They work by targeting melanin directly, breaking it down without damaging surrounding skin. For people with many spots on the face, full-face laser resurfacing (CO2 or Fraxel) may give better overall results.
Chemical peels Superficial to medium-depth chemical peels can rapidly reduce the appearance of solar lentigines on the face. Results depend on peel strength and skin type.
The best results tend to come from combination approaches — for example, topical retinoids followed by a laser treatment. A qualified dermatologist can assess your skin and recommend the most appropriate option.
Related read: online dermatologist consultation
Many people notice age spots and simply wonder whether to seek treatment. But there are specific circumstances where getting a professional skin assessment quickly is important:
In the UK, waiting times to see a NHS dermatologist can range from 8 weeks to over 18 months, depending on your region and referral route. That's a long time to worry about a spot that might need prompt attention — or to delay treatment for a skin condition that's affecting your quality of life.
You don't have to wait months to get clarity on a skin concern. Hebra is a skin health triage app that lets you analyse your skin condition quickly and connect directly with qualified dermatologists — without the usual long waits.
Whether you've noticed a new age spot and aren't sure if it's harmless, or you want professional advice on treatment options, Hebra gives you fast, reliable access to specialist skin care from your phone or computer.
Take the first step today. Visit www.hebra.health to get your skin assessed by a dermatologist — without the 18-month wait.
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