“"If you've had spots, it's very likely they'll come back."”

The first thing to do is differentiate between the spots known as solar lentigines and melasma. Lentigines are dark spots on the skin that appear due to accumulated sun damage over time; they vary in size and range in color from light to dark brown. Melasma is a skin condition that appears as irregularly shaped patches, usually on the cheeks, forehead, nose, and upper lip, and its appearance is linked to hormonal changes. The former are usually epidermal spots, relatively easy to remove.

“If we maintain proper skin care, using high sun protection year-round, it is unlikely that they will reappear,”, explains Dr. Javier Pérez Diez, aesthetic doctor at Clínica Premium Marbella. “However, it is possible that new ones may appear over time, especially if the factors that caused the first ones persist.” Sunlight is the main cause of blemishes. “Continuous use of sunscreen is essential, as is keeping the skin protected from external aggressors such as wind, cold, dehydration, or any process that causes skin inflammation,” concludes Dr. Pérez Diez.