The sun has many wonderful benefits. One favorite? It triggers the production of serotonin , the neurotransmitter that boosts feelings of well-being. Still, too much sun exposure isn’t always a good thing—especially when it comes to the skin. In fact, it isn’t uncommon to notice sunspots and hyperpigmentation after a carefree summer of soaking up the sun.

“We can encounter the onset of skin spots for multiple reasons—for example, taking birth control or pregnancy or menopause—but the main cause is direct exposure to the sun,” says Dr. Flavia Guatteo , a specialist in plastic and reconstructive surgery based in Milan.

What are sunspots?

Hyperpigmentation or dyschromia (a.k.a. sunspots and dark spots) arise from an irregular accumulation of melanin produced by melanocytes—and many

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