Age spots are one of the most common reasons adults search online for “brown spots on skin”. You may also hear them called liver spots or sun spots — and it’s completely normal to wonder whether these are different conditions, or something you should be worried about.
In most cases, these marks are harmless pigment changes linked to sun exposure and ageing. However, because some concerning skin conditions can look similar, it’s important to know what’s typical, what isn’t, and when it’s sensible to get a spot checked by a doctor.
What Are Age Spots?
Age spots are flat areas of increased pigmentation that develop over time, most commonly on skin that has had years of sun exposure. You might notice them on:
- Face
- Hands
- Forearms
- Shoulders and upper chest
They are often light to dark brown, usually smooth, and typically painless. Medically, they are often referred to as solar lentigines (a term your clinician may use), but “age spots” is the most common phrase patients use.
What Are Liver Spots?
Liver spots are not related to your liver. This is an older, non-medical term that people still use widely in everyday language.
In practice, “liver spots” usually refer to the same thing as age spots — flat brown patches that tend to appear with age and sun exposure. They are very common and do not automatically indicate an internal health problem.
What Are Sun Spots?
Sun spots is another common name for the same type of pigmentation. The term highlights the key trigger: UV exposure over time. Years of sunlight (and sometimes past sunburn or tanning) can lead to clusters of pigmentation that become more noticeable as we get older.
Age Spots vs Liver Spots vs Sun Spots: Are They Actually Different?
For most people, these are simply different names for the same type of benign pigmentation.
| Term | What it usually means | Are they different? |
|---|---|---|
| Age spots | Brown pigmentation linked to sun exposure and age | No – typically the same condition |
| Liver spots | Older name people use for age spots | No – not related to liver disease |
| Sun spots | Pigmentation caused by long-term UV exposure | No – typically the same condition |
What Do Age Spots Usually Look Like?
Typical age spots are:
- Flat (not raised)
- Light to dark brown
- Smooth to the touch
- Well-defined in shape
- Painless
Important: If a brown lesion is raised, rough, waxy or looks “stuck on”, it may be something different — such as a seborrheic keratosis (a very common benign growth).
Are Age Spots Dangerous?
In most cases, age spots are harmless and do not cause medical problems. However, it’s important not to assume that any brown mark is “just an age spot”, because some skin cancers and pre-cancerous changes can look similar.
If you are unsure, or if a spot is changing, the safest approach is to have it assessed by a doctor or qualified clinician.
How to Check a Spot Using the ABCDE Criteria
A helpful way to think about whether a spot needs checking is the ABCDE guide. If a mark is new or changing, or it has any of the features below, it should be reviewed by a healthcare professional:
- A – Asymmetry: one half looks different to the other
- B – Border: irregular, blurred or notched edges
- C – Colour: uneven colour or multiple shades
- D – Diameter: larger than 6mm or increasing in size
- E – Evolution: changing in size, shape, colour, bleeding or crusting
Bottom line: any new or changing spot should be checked by a doctor, particularly if it looks different from your other marks.
Age Spots vs Skin Cancer: Why Assessment Matters
Many benign conditions can look worrying, and some serious conditions can look deceptively simple. That’s why self-checks are useful for awareness, but they cannot replace medical assessment when there is uncertainty.
If you have a brown spot that is changing, symptomatic, or simply not quite right, a professional review can provide clarity and peace of mind.
What Causes Age Spots?
Age spots are most commonly linked to:
- Cumulative sun exposure over many years
- Fairer skin types
- Ageing
- Genetics
- Past sunburn or tanning
Can Age Spots Be Treated or Removed?
Many people choose not to treat age spots at all. Others prefer treatment for cosmetic reasons, or because they want reassurance after assessment.
Depending on the diagnosis and the type of lesion, treatment options may include:
- Cryotherapy (freezing) for selected benign lesions, where clinically appropriate. You can read more here: cryotherapy treatment.
- Removal if the lesion is raised or diagnosed as a thicker benign growth such as a seborrheic keratosis. Learn more here: seborrheic keratosis removal.
Important: Treatment should only be carried out after the diagnosis has been confirmed by a docotor. This helps ensure the right approach is chosen and avoids treating a lesion that needs a different type of medical assessment.
FAQs
Are liver spots linked to liver disease?
No. “Liver spots” is a common older term for age spots and is not usually related to liver problems.
Can age spots appear suddenly?
Age spots often become more noticeable over time. Any spot that appears suddenly or changes quickly should be checked by a doctor.
Should age spots be checked by a doctor?
If you’re unsure of the diagnosis, or if a spot is new or changing, it’s sensible to have it assessed — particularly using the ABCDE guide above.
Can age spots be frozen off?
Some benign lesions can be treated with freezing when clinically appropriate, but the correct treatment depends on the diagnosis. Learn more about our cryotherapy treatment.
Final Thoughts
Age spots are extremely common and, in most cases, harmless. However, because some skin cancers and other conditions can look similar, it’s important not to make assumptions — particularly if a spot is new, changing, or looks different from others on your skin.
A dermatology consultation allows your skin to be assessed properly using dermoscopy, a specialist tool that helps distinguish benign age spots from other lesions that may require closer attention. This provides reassurance and ensures the correct diagnosis before any treatment is considered. If an age spot has been confirmed as benign but is cosmetically bothersome or catching on clothing, treatment options such as cryotherapy (freezing) may be appropriate.
If you have concerns about age spots, or would like them checked and treated safely where appropriate, booking a dermatology consultation is the best next step.
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