What are yellow brown spots on skin?
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1) DR P. MARAZZI / Science Source 2) Hercules Robinson / Medical Images 3) SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Getty Images 4) SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Science Source 5) Scott Camazine / Medical Images 6) Cappi Thompson / Getty Images 7) Dr P. Marazzi / Science Source 8) rushay booysen / Getty Images 9) MAURO FERMARIELLO/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Getty Images 10) Hercules Robinson / Medical Images 11) Martin Rotker / Medical Images 12) eldemir / Getty Images 13) Dr M.A. Ansary / Science Source SOURCES: Mayo Clinic: “Age Spots (liver spots),” “Tinea versicolor,” “Sunburn,” “Spider veins,” “Vitiligo.” National Rosacea Society: “All About Rosacea.” Cleveland Clinic: “Pigmentation: Abnormal Pigmentation,” “Eczema.” American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology: “Contact Dermatitis Overview.” National Eczema Association: “What is Eczema?” “Eczema in skin of color: What you need to know.” American Academy of Dermatology Association: “10 Reasons Your Face is Red.” Breastcancer.org: “Skin Discoloration,” “Injection Site Reaction.” Johns Hopkins Medicine: “Yeast Infection.” National Psoriasis Foundation: “About Psoriasis,” “Treating Skin of Color.” American Society for Dermatologic Surgery: “Spider Veins.” MedlinePlus: “Shingles.” American Osteopathic College of Dermatology: “Vitiligo.” Fargo MV, Grogan SP, Saquil A. Evaluation of jaundice in adults. Am Fam Physician. 2017;95(3):164-168. PMID: 28145671pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28145671/. Korenblat KM, Berk PD. Approach to the patient with jaundice or abnormal liver tests. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 138. Lidofsky SD. Jaundice. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease: Pathophysiology/Diagnosis/Management. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 21. Taylor TA, Wheatley MA. Jaundice. In: Walls RM, Hockberger RS, Gausche-Hill M, eds. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018:chap 25. Last reviewed on: 4/19/2021 Reviewed by: Michael M. Phillips, MD, Emeritus Professor of Medicine, The George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. Brown spots are caused by the overproduction of melanin in your skin. Melanin is the pigment that gives your skin, hair and eyes their color. It is produced by cells called melanocytes. Think of melanocytes as sponges that soak up sunlight. The more ultraviolet (UV) exposure your skin gets, the more saturated with melanin your sponges will get. Contrary to popular belief dark-skinned individuals do not have more melanocytes. Light and dark-skinned people have similar numbers of melanocytes on our skin. The difference is in the pigment-containing organelles, called melanosomes, which are larger, more numerous and more pigmented in dark compared to light-skin people. To make this quite simple, there are four main reasons that you would see brown spots on your skin:
Brown spots, known medically as solar lentigo (lentigines plural), are a common part of the aging process of your skin. Many people call them “age spots” or “liver spots” but dermatologists prefer to call them “wisdom spots” because we collect more of them the older/wiser we get. Roughly 75 percent of Caucasian people over the age of 60 are likely to have one or more of these lesions. These spots develop in response to sun damage. Somewhere in your life, you must have not used sunscreen regularly, may have enjoyed tanning out in the sun a bit too much or you used tanning beds. For us women, some other reasons for brown spots or darkening of the skin on the face are hormonal changes, especially during pregnancy. Yes, we women have yet another reason to stress when pregnant. Don’t worry, the pregnancy glow is still real but while your acne may clear during pregnancy and your hair may start growing like weeds, the skin on your face may start to experience a hormone-related darkening called melasma. It is known as “the mask of pregnancy” and it appears as brown patches on the upper lip, forehead and cheeks. Suddenly, you have a brown mustache! It is very common in moms-to-be but also in women who take birth control pills. It can simply be due to changes in the estrogen and progesterone levels that happen during the regular menstrual cycle too. Is There Anything I Can Do to Prevent Getting More Brown Spots?Of course! Sun exposure is the biggest factor that can contribute to darkening of the skin. Good UV protection includes:
I’ve heard patients say, “I do not like how sunscreen makes me look,” or “I am allergic to all sunscreens,” or “I do not like how it makes my skin feel” – yes, we have heard it all. Let me give you the news, the right sunscreen for you does already exist but you will need to find it through trial and error. I always tell my patients the best sunscreen is the one you will use! How Can I Treat the Brown Spots That I Already Have on My Face?Brown spots are not dangerous. The only reason to have them treated is cosmetic – because we feel it will improve our appearance, make us look younger and ultimately enhance our self-esteem. Treating existing hyperpigmentation is harder than preventing it and is much more expensive.
Is it Just an Age Spot or Skin Cancer?The potential signs of skin cancer (melanoma) can be identified with the ABCDE acronym:
If you see any of these signs, do not hesitate to ask your healthcare provider or a dermatologist to evaluate it. I always tell my patients better safe than sorry. When should I be worried about brown spots on my skin?Age spots don't require medical care. Have your doctor look at spots that are black or have changed in appearance. These changes can be signs of melanoma, a serious form of skin cancer.
What causes brownish spots on skin?Dark spots on the skin, or hyperpigmentation, occur when some areas of the skin produce more melanin than usual. Melanin gives the eyes, skin, and hair their color. Dark spots on the skin are not a cause for concern and do not need treatment, though people may choose to remove them for cosmetic reasons.
What are dark yellow or brown spots on the skin called?Melasma. This is a common skin condition that usually affects facial skin and causes brown patches. It affects women more often than men. Triggers of melasma can include sun exposure and hormonal changes.
Are brown spots on skin normal?These are commonly called "age spots" or "liver spots." They are irregular in shape, larger than freckles, and vary from tan to very dark brown. They occur in sun-exposed skin. Some are direct consequences of severe sunburns. They are common in people of all skin types.
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