SUN SPOTS

Almost everyone has a pigmented lesion of some type. These areas of the skin contain especially high concentrations of melanin and are typically caused by an excess of pigment commonly due to sun exposure, aging or congenital factors. Pigmented lesions vary widely in size, shape and depth. Some are no bigger than a fingertip or even a pinhead, while others may be as large as a hand and occur in such conspicuous places as the face, neck or arms. They can be either raised or flat and are usually a cosmetic rather than a medical concern. However, certain moles or "sun spots" can be precancerous; removing these lesions is medically necessary.