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Sudden black spot on face
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Skin & Hair Concerns
Question #11788
45 days ago
87

Sudden black spot on face - #11788

Neil

I am really worried because I noticed a sudden black spot on my face a few days ago. Like, one day I didn’t have it and then the next it just appeared. I thought maybe it was just a pimple or something but it hasn't gone away, and it’s starting to get me really anxious. The spot is about the size of a dime and it's not raised, just kinda flat. I tried some over-the-counter cream but it just seems like the black spot on my face is getting darker or something. I don't usually have skin issues, but I did have a bad sunburn last summer, and I've been thinking this might be related?? I’m really scared it could be something serious. I’ve read about various skin conditions, but it seems like there are too many possibilities for this sudden black spot on my face. Should I go to a doctor right away? Or is it ok to wait a bit and see if it fades? I feel kinda silly but I can’t stop looking at it in the mirror, and I’m worried if it’ll spread or stay there forever. Anyone had this happen? What do you think causes a sudden black spot on face? I just wanna make sure it’s nothing to really stress about.

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Doctors’ responses

Noticing a sudden black spot on your face can indeed be concerning, especially if it appeared quickly and doesn’t seem to be going away. Let’s consider a few possibilities. One immediate thought is a lentigo, which is a small pigmented spot, often related to sun exposure, and given you mentioned a bad sunburn last summer, it might be connected. However, the fact that it’s darkening warrants careful attention. Melanoma, a type of skin cancer, is something to consider given its ability to present as a dark spot, especially if there are changes in size, color, or shape. It might sound worrying, but it’s essential to rule out any serious causes. A nevus, or mole, could also appear suddenly but typically isn’t so sudden or uniformly dark. In cases like this, where there’s a new spot that changes, it’s prudent to consult a dermatologist sooner rather than later to visually inspect it and possibly perform a dermatoscopic examination, which provides a closer look at skin lesions to decide if a biopsy or other investigation is necessary. Over-the-counter creams generally won’t affect spots related to deeper pigmentation changes, so discontinuing them for now while assessing changes may keep your observations clearer. While it might seem like it can wait, rapid changes or darkening spots often merit quicker clinical evaluation to exclude anything serious, and also to ease your anxiety about it being something lasting or harmful. If making an appointment with a dermatologist isn’t immediate, a general practitioner can also provide an initial assessment and advice. Remember, early evaluation is key, especially with any skin changes as it helps catch and tackle issues at their onset.

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