Moles, Freckles and Sunspots: What Is the Difference?

It is common to notice brown or darker spots on the skin, particularly on areas that receive regular sun exposure. These darker spots may be freckles, sunspots or moles. They can look similar, but they are quite distinct, with different causes and characteristics. Knowing the differences can help you identify changes that may need medical attention.

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What Are Freckles?

Freckles are small, flat areas of increased pigmentation. They are more common in people with very fair skin and in those with blonde or red hair. Freckles result from a combination of genetics and sun exposure, and increased sun exposure makes them more noticeable.

Freckles are usually light to medium brown and often occur in groups. They most often appear on the face, shoulders, arms and upper chest, at least partly because these areas receive more sun exposure than the rest of the body.

Unlike some other types of pigmentation, freckles may become lighter when sun exposure decreases, and they can be less noticeable during winter. Freckles themselves are harmless and do not turn into skin cancer, but they are an indication of a skin type that is more susceptible to sun damage — so good sun protection remains important.

What Are Sunspots?

Sunspots, also known as solar lentigines or age spots, are flat areas of increased pigmentation caused by accumulated sun exposure. For this reason, they are more likely to appear in older people.

Sunspots are usually larger than freckles and can range from tan to dark brown. They commonly occur on the face, hands, shoulders and arms. Unlike freckles, sunspots generally remain visible once they appear. They do not fade when sun exposure decreases, and they can become darker with continued exposure.

Sunspots are generally harmless and do not become cancerous. However, they are a sign of long-term UV exposure, which is known to increase the risk of developing skin cancer. In addition, some skin cancers — including melanoma — can initially look like an innocuous sunspot. This is why a new or changing area of pigmentation should not simply be assumed to be a sunspot.

What Are Moles?

Moles, also called naevi, develop when melanocytes — the pigment-producing cells in the skin — grow in clusters. They can be present from birth or develop during childhood, adolescence and early adulthood.

Moles can occur anywhere on the body and may be flat or raised. They range from skin-coloured to pink, brown or black. Most moles are benign and remain stable, although new moles can develop and existing moles can change with age or with hormonal changes.

Some types of moles are associated with an increased risk of melanoma. A mole that changes in size, shape or colour should therefore be assessed by a doctor or dermatologist.

How Can You Recognise Possible Skin Cancer?

It is not always possible to distinguish a harmless freckle, sunspot or mole from an early skin cancer simply by looking at it. A useful guide for identifying suspicious changes is the ABCDE method:

• Asymmetry: one half of the spot looks different from the other.
• Border: the edges are irregular, uneven or poorly defined.
• Colour: the spot contains several colours, or its colour changes.
• Diameter: the spot is larger than approximately 6 mm, although melanoma can be smaller.
• Evolving: the spot changes in size, shape, colour or appearance.

Other warning signs include a spot that is persistently itchy or sore, or that bleeds, crusts or fails to heal. A new spot that looks noticeably different from other marks on the skin should also be assessed.

Importantly, melanoma does not always follow the typical ABCDE pattern. It can be small, flat and relatively uniform in appearance, which is one reason professional assessment can be valuable.

How Can Skin Cancer Risk Be Reduced?

Reduce UV Exposure from the Sun

Reducing UV exposure is an important part of protecting your skin. Whenever the UV Index is 3 or above, Cancer Council recommends five forms of protection: slip on clothing that covers the skin, slop on broad-spectrum, water-resistant SPF50 or SPF50+ sunscreen, slap on a broad-brimmed hat, seek shade, and slide on sunglasses.

Never use a solarium or sunbed. Commercial solariums have been banned across Australia since 2015, and there is no such thing as a safe tan.

Check Your Skin for Potential Problems

Regularly examining your skin can help you identify changes early. Checking your whole body every few months helps you become familiar with your normal pattern of moles and pigmentation. Areas that are difficult to see, such as the scalp and back, may require assistance.

There is no single skin-check schedule that suits everyone. People with a personal or family history of skin cancer, many moles, fair skin or significant previous sun exposure may need more frequent professional assessment. A dermatologist can assess your individual risk and recommend an appropriate schedule.

What to Do If You Suspect a Problem

A new or changing spot should not be ignored simply because it looks like a freckle or sunspot. Early assessment of suspicious skin changes improves the chance of detecting any skin cancer at an earlier stage, when treatment is generally more straightforward.

What to Watch For

Freckles, moles and sunspots are common and generally harmless in themselves. But their presence indicates at least moderate sun exposure, and can point to a skin type that is prone to damage and to future skin cancer. Early skin cancer can also look like a sunspot or another ordinary skin mark, and skin cancer can develop from a mole.

Check your skin regularly and take note of any changes. Protecting your skin from UV exposure is equally important for reducing the risk of sun damage and skin cancer. If a spot looks different from your other marks, changes in appearance, or causes you concern, it is best to have it assessed by a doctor or dermatologist rather than relying on appearance alone.