by 
The Curious Bag
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Our skin has specialized cells that release substances into the skin surface to protect our bodies from the sun's harmful rays. Dark spots on the skin, also called sun spots, may be due to overproduction of such a protective substance. In rare cases, dark spots may be cancerous.
Melanin
Melanin is released by melanocytes on the skin, triggered by the enzyme tyrosinase, and may cause dark spots on skin. Products designed to treat discolored skin due to the overproduction of melanin use ingredients that are "melanin-inhibiting".
Sun Spots
Hyperpigmentation, or sun spots, often appear on the neck, hands and face. They are generally harmless, appearing as a visibly darker spot on skin due to melanin activity; people who do not use sunscreen are more likely to have sun spots.
Prevention
Using sunscreen every day and avoiding unnecessary exposure to bright sunlight are two important measures that may help in controlling the outbreak of sun spots.
Treatment
Skin-care products that help to control sun spots include Tretinion (known as Renova) and azelaic acid, which is made from grains.
Melanoma
Sun spots are harmless, but not all dark spots are. Melanoma is a type of skin cancer in which melanocytes become cancerous due to excessive ultraviolet exposure. Melanoma is the most serious type of skin cancer and is a much rarer cause for dark spots on skin than are sun spots.
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