The presence of white sun spots on the skin is clinically known asidiopathic guttate hypomelanosis(IGH).
IGH is a benign skin condition considered a cosmetic problem.
IGH can affect all skin tones.
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These white sun spots are a form ofhypopigmentationor a lack ofmelaninin the affected skin area.
Melanin is a substance in the body that determines eye, skin, and hair color.
The more melanin produced, the darker the eyes, skin, and hair.
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IGH spots often appear on the arms, legs, trunk, and face.
They do not cause itching or pain.
Treatment can reduce the appearance of white spots and may include topical creams and professional treatments.
Reproduced with permission from ©DermNet NZwww.dermnetnz.org2022.
Reproduced with permission from DermNetdermnetnz.org2023.
Sun spots arewhite spots on the skinwhereskin pigmenthas been lost.
These spots usually cause no symptoms.
Reproduced with permission from © DermNet and © Dr Richard Ashtondermnetnz.org2023.
They present as irregular shapes with uneven borders.
IGH skin spots can affect people of all races and skin tones.
They tend to occur more frequently in people with lighter skin types.
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White sun spots tend to stand out more on darker skin.
What Other Conditions Cause White Spots on Skin?
Other skin conditions can lead to white spots on the skin.
Once the lesions heal, they turn light-colored or white.
Tinea Versicolor
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Tinea versicolor often appears on the chest or back.
Treatment includes antifungal and anti-dandruff shampoos,antifungal creams, and oral antifungal medicines.
Vitiligo
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Vitiligo is not painful but causeslighter skin areasvulnerable to sunburn.
Skin patches will appear on the hands, feet, arms, face, and genitals.
Vitiligo also causes hair on the scalp, eyebrows, eyelashes, beard, and body to turn white.
Because the bodys inflammatory response causes vitiligo, it is treated with topical steroids.
Oral medications and skin therapy treatments are used to treat severe causes.
Milia
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Causes of milia include skin damage,corticosteroid use, and genetic or autoimmune diseases.
Babies with milia usually do not need treatment, but it is vital to keep the skin clean.
Adults with milia can treat it with exfoliators, retinol skincare products, or facial peels.
It is a benign (harmless) condition that does not cause pain or itching.
Adermatologistcan examine your skin, determine the cause of symptoms, and provide treatment.
A diagnosis of IGH is typically made based on the appearance of skin and skin lesions.
Are White Sun Spots Cancerous?
White spots on the skin are rarely a sign of cancer.They are usually linked to dermatologic skin conditions.
Everyone should limit their sun exposure and exposure to other UV sources, such as tanning beds.
But, they can be treated with over-the-counter (OTC) creams and professional treatments.
Unfortunately, IGH can be challenging to treat.
OTC Treatments
OTC steroid creams andretinoid creamscan help to reduce the appearance of white spots.
Steroid creams in mild strengths are available without a prescription.
Your healthcare provider can prescribe a more potent version to treat sun spots.
Steroid creams only should be used for short periods.
Long-term use can lead to unwanted side effects, including skin thinning and further skin color changes.
Both are concentrated forms of vitamin A.
Fractional lasers can reduce white spots by stimulating melanin production.
Dermabrasion is an exfoliating procedure that removes the outer layer of the skin to reveal the skin underneath.
Cryotherapy is an effective therapy for treating IGH.It involves using liquid nitrogen to freeze affected skin areas.
Cryotherapy is a low-cost and safe option, provided an experienced professional does it.
Chemical peels are safe, effective, and inexpensive for treating white sun spots.
Summary
White spots are a common skin condition, especially in people over 40.
Sun spots pose no health threat and cause no other symptoms, so removing them is not medically necessary.
Some people will want them removed for cosmetic reasons.
Treatment can help remove sun spots, but it will not eliminate them.
Professional treatments tend to offer the best safety and results.
They can examine your skin and prescribe treatments.
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