How do sun spots form?

A sun spot does not appear in a day. It is the result of a build-up that spreads across the whole year and carries on through every season, and summer is the most intense period of that build-up.

The upper layer of the skin contains cells called melanocytes. Their job is to protect the tissue underneath by producing a pigment called melanin against ultraviolet rays. This is really a defence response.

With strong and repeated sun exposure, melanocytes are overstimulated. The pigment they produce collects unevenly in some areas of the skin, and when it reaches the surface it shows up as a dark patch.

This is why spots are mostly noticed in September and October: as the tan fades, the difference in tone becomes clearer.

The type, depth and cause of a spot change the treatment approach. A diagnosis comes first.

Which doctor should you see for dark spots on the face? A dark spot is a skin finding and is assessed in the dermatology department. Sun spots, pregnancy-related dark patches and marks left by spots can look alike. Their approaches are different, though.

Home mixtures such as lemon or apple cider vinegar do not remove spots. Acidic mixtures irritate the skin, and an irritated area can darken even more in the sun.

There is no single number for how many sessions it takes for a spot to clear. The time depends on the type and depth of the spot and on how well it is protected from the sun.

Laser and peels are used for some spots, but in other spots they can make the spot worse. That is why a diagnosis is made before any treatment.