TL;DR: Key Takeaways
- Sun spots (solar lentigines) = flat, uniform, stable for years — benign
- Early melanoma can mimic a sun spot but shows uneven colour and slow growth
- The 5-second test: asymmetry + colour variation + change over time
- Lentigo maligna melanoma is the specific cancer that mimics age spots
- Photograph monthly — change is the strongest single warning sign
Part of the Sun Damage vs Skin Cancer hub.
At a Glance
| Feature | Sun Spot (Solar Lentigo) | Melanoma (Lentigo Maligna) |
|---|---|---|
| Colour | Uniform tan to medium brown | Multiple shades — tan, brown, dark brown, sometimes black or pink |
| Border | Smooth, well-defined | Notched, scalloped, or fading into normal skin |
| Shape | Round or oval, symmetric | Asymmetric — one half unlike the other |
| Size | 2–20 mm, stable | Often >6 mm at diagnosis, slowly enlarging |
| Texture | Completely flat, smooth | Mostly flat early; raised areas appear late |
| Location | Face, hands, shoulders, upper back — chronic sun exposure | Same areas, especially face in adults over 60 |
| Change over time | Stable for years | Slowly enlarges, darkens unevenly, develops new colours |
| Danger | None | Cancer — early treatment is curative; late treatment is not |
How a Sun Spot Looks
- Flat brown patch, completely smooth to the touch
- Uniform colour across the entire spot
- Round or oval with a clean border
- Usually appears alongside other similar spots in the same area
- Has been there unchanged for months or years
How Early Melanoma Looks
- Asymmetric — one half looks different from the other
- Multiple shades of brown, black, or pink within the same lesion
- Borders that fade, scallop, or notch instead of ending cleanly
- Slow but visible change in size or pigment over 3–12 months
- Stands out from your other spots ('ugly duckling' sign)
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The 5 Dermatologist Clues
- Asymmetry — fold the spot in half mentally; melanoma rarely matches
- Border quality — clean edge vs notched or fading
- Colour count — one shade vs three or more
- Diameter — sun spots are usually small; lesions over 6mm warrant attention
- Evolving — any change beats every other feature combined
Red-Flag Checklist
See a dermatologist within 2–4 weeks if your spot:
- Has darkened, enlarged or changed shape in the last 6 months
- Shows more than two colours within a single lesion
- Looks visibly different from every other age spot you have
- Is itching, bleeding, or has developed a raised area
- Appeared as a new pigmented spot after age 40
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