Fact sheet

Sunspots and Skin Checks

Rough, scaly patches on sun-damaged skin, also called solar or actinic keratoses. Not cancer, but a sign of sun damage, and a small number turn into skin cancer. Treatable, and largely preventable.

The sunspot ladder

Sun protection is for everyone. A single sunspot can just be watched; lots of them, or ones that are sore, are usually treated.

  1. Step 1 · Self-careDaily sunscreen and sun protectionSPF 50+ broad-spectrum sunscreen on face, ears, neck, arms and hands every day, plus a hat, shade and covering up when UV is 3 or above.
    Works
    In a large Queensland trial, daily sunscreen meant fewer squamous cell skin cancers and, over the next decade, about half as many melanomas
    Cost
    About $10–20 a bottle
    How long
    Every day, for life; reapply every 2 hours outdoors
    Watch for
    Most people use too little. About a teaspoon per limb, face and neck.

    Sunscreen works best on skin, not in your bag.

  2. Step 2 · Self-careKnow your skin and watch spotsCheck your whole skin every few months in good light, using a mirror or a helper for your back and scalp.
    Works
    No trials of self-checks in numbers; finding a changing spot early makes skin cancer much easier to treat
    Cost
    Free
    How long
    Ongoing
    Watch for
    New spots, changing spots, sores that bleed or don’t heal, or tender lumps growing in a sunspot: see your GP.

    Photograph a spot you’re unsure of. Your phone is a better memory than you are.

  3. Step 3 · GPFreezing (cryotherapy)Liquid nitrogen sprayed on individual spots. Blisters, scabs and falls off over a few weeks.
    Works
    About 85 in 100 treated spots cleared in one trial
    Cost
    Often bulk-billed or a small gap fee
    How long
    A few seconds per spot; heals in 1–3 weeks
    Watch for
    Stinging and blistering, and sometimes a pale mark afterwards.

    Quick, cold and effective. Great for a handful of spots.

  4. Step 4 · PrescriptionTreatment creams (fluorouracil, imiquimod)Rubbed on a whole sun-damaged area to clear visible and not-yet-visible spots.
    Works
    In a 2019 trial, fluorouracil cream kept 3 in 4 people’s treated areas mostly clear at a year, vs about half with imiquimod
    Cost
    Under the $25 PBS co-payment for many products, when eligible
    How long
    Fluorouracil: usually 2–4 weeks. Imiquimod: several weeks, in cycles.
    Watch for
    The skin gets red, crusty and sore before it heals. That’s the cream working, but call your GP if it’s severe.

    Two ugly weeks for a fresher-looking year. Plan around photos and weddings.

  5. Step 5 · SpecialistLight treatment (photodynamic therapy) or surgeryA cream that makes sun-damaged cells sensitive, then light. Thick or suspicious spots are cut or scraped out and sent to the lab.
    Works
    Light treatment: about 4 in 10 had areas mostly clear at a year in the same 2019 trial
    Cost
    Private fees, often a few hundred dollars; surgery and biopsies attract Medicare rebates
    How long
    Light treatment: one or two sessions. Surgery: one visit, with stitches for 1–2 weeks.
    Watch for
    Light treatment can sting during the session. A lump or a sore that won’t heal needs a biopsy, not just more freezing.

    Pricier, but handy if you can’t face weeks of red skin.

Costs are rough Australian prices in November 2026 and vary by pharmacy and provider. PBS co-payment: $25, or $7.70 with a concession card. Results are typical figures from trials, not promises.

Save your money

Popular, heavily marketed or often asked about, but the evidence is weak or says no.

What you can do

See your GP if

See your GP promptly, within a week or two, for a fast-growing lump, a dark spot that is changing quickly, or a mole that bleeds. These aren’t emergencies, but they shouldn’t wait for your next routine check.

Common questions

What do sunspots look like?

Rough, dry, scaly patches, often easier to feel than see, like sandpaper. Usually skin-coloured, pink, red or brown and up to 1–2 cm, on the face, ears, scalp, hands, arms and legs.

Who gets them?

People with lots of past sun exposure, especially those with fair skin that burns easily and outdoor workers. They become more common with age. Darker skin types get them less often.

How is a sunspot diagnosed?

Usually by looking and feeling, often with a magnifying light (dermatoscope). If a spot is thick, tender, growing or unusual, a small sample (biopsy) checks for skin cancer.

What should I look for in a skin check?

Changes. New spots, spots that grow or change shape or colour, spots that look different from the rest, and sores that bleed, itch or don’t heal. For moles, think ABCDE: Asymmetry, Border, Colour, Diameter and Evolving.

Helpful resources

Evidence and more information

Reviewed 1 November 2026. General education, not personal medical advice. Treatment depends on your situation, so talk to your GP or pharmacist.

Related

maladywise.com/sunspots/