Dark Spots On Legs: Causes And How Can You Remove Them?

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What Causes Dark Spots on Your Legs and How Can You Treat Them?Medically reviewed by Owen Kramer, M.D. — Written by Ann Pietrangelo — Updated on April 25, 2023

Causes
Home remedies
OTC treatments
Laser treatments
Prescription treatments
When to seek care
Bottom line

You can develop hyperpigmentation on your legs due to sun exposure, diabetes, and other health conditions. In some cases, irregular dark spots may be melanoma. Treatment can depend on the cause.

If you have dark spots on your legs, you’re not alone. This generally happens when that patch of skin produces or contains more melanin than the surrounding skin.

Melanin is what gives your skin its color. The more melanin you have, the darker your skin. Freckles and dark spots mean those areas have more melanin. Dark spots are common among people of all skin tones. You can have dark spots on your legs or anywhere else on your body.

There are steps you can take to lighten those spots and, in some cases, prevent more spots from developing.

This article will take a closer look at the most common causes of dark spots on the legs, what you can do about them, and warning signs that mean you should see a doctor.

What causes dark spots on the legs?

There are several things that can cause dark spots on your legs. While they’re most likely harmless, some dark spots could be a sign of something more serious.

Sun damage

Skin reacts to sunlight by producing more melanin. Some patches of skin may produce melanin in abundance while nearby skin produces less.

Getting too much sun is a common cause of dark spots. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, it’s the leading cause for people with light skin.

If you have dark spots on your legs, there’s a chance that it’s due to sun damage.

Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation

If you’ve had acne, eczema, psoriasis, or an injury to your skin, it can cause inflammation and an increase in melanin in areas where skin lesions have appeared. The American Academy of Dermatology notes that these types of dark spots are most common among people with darker skin.

Diabetes

Some people with diabetes develop a resistance to insulin. This can prevent the body from properly using the insulin produced by the pancreas.

As a result, excessive amounts of insulin can build up in the bloodstream. This can cause a dark band of skin that’s likely to appear around the neck. This is known as acanthosis nigricans and doesn’t generally occur on the legs.

Melanoma

Melanoma is a type of skin cancer. In males, it tends to appear on the face or trunk. In females, it tends to develop on the legs. Melanoma can take many forms and may require a visual examination by a dermatologist for detection.

Melanoma can also develop from an existing mole or as a new lesion. Signs to watch out for include a mole that:

has an irregular shape or irregular border
is multicolored
itches or bleeds
is larger than a quarter of an inch
changes in size, shape, or color

Other causes

Addison’s disease: This rare disorder can cause generalized hyperpigmentation, especially on sun-exposed skin and pressure points. This may cause you to have darker skin on your knees.
Tinea versicolor: This yeast infection can cause lighter or darker patches of skin, most commonly on the upper trunk and arms. It doesn’t commonly affect the legs. The patches may become more noticeable if you get a tan.

Home remedies

Sunscreen

Sunscreen won’t lighten dark spots on your legs, but it can help keep them from getting darker. It can also prevent new dark spots from forming.

Protect your skin from the sun all year long. If your legs will be exposed, use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. Sunscreen may also help you make the most out of any skin lightening products you’re using.

Aloe vera

One study shows that aloin, the active ingredient in aloe vera, has the potential to lighten skin. However, there’s not enough evidence to suggest aloe vera is effective for lightening dark spots. More studies are needed in humans to investigate this use of aloe vera.

Aloe vera gels and lotions can provide relief from dry, sunburned skin. You can open the leaf of an aloe vera plant and apply the gel directly to your skin. Alternatively, you can buy lotions and gels that contain aloe.

However, this is unlikely to be helpful for lightening dark spots on the skin.

Over-the-counter (OTC) treatments

There are many OTC products that claim to lighten skin, though evidence is limited. Some work better than others, so you may have to try a few to see how they work for you.

Read the package insert so you know how often to apply the product and how long it may take before you see an improvement.

Studies show that these ingredients may be helpful in the management of hyperpigmentation:

soy
niacinamide
vitamin C
kojic acid
arbutin
emblica extract
glutathione
licorice extract
lignin peroxidase
n-acetylglucosamine
topical adapalene 0.1%

Arbutin, kojic acid, and licorice may cause an allergic reaction in some people. If that happens, stop using the product immediately and follow up with your doctor.

None of these products are FDA-approved for skin lightening. Many OTC supplements and extracts aren’t well-regulated, and some products don’t have well-established guidelines for safe use. It’s important to discuss this with your doctor before use.

Laser treatments

Your doctor or dermatologist may recommend laser treatment, depending on the cause of your dark spots. You may need multiple treatments to see an improvement.

Laser treatment can be done alone or in combination with topical skin lightening therapy. How the laser works depends on the type of laser used and your specific cause of hyperpigmentation.

One type of procedure uses targeted beams of light to remove layers of skin. Another type of procedure targets the dermis to promote collagen growth and tightening of the skin.

Laser treatments may not be a good option if you have darker skin, as you may heal with pigmentation that’s darker than it was originally. Laser treatments should only be performed by a qualified physician.

Cryotherapy

Cryotherapy is a procedure in which liquid nitrogen is used to destroy skin pigment cells. As your skin heals, the spots may start to lighten. Cryotherapy should only be performed by an experienced dermatologist.

Prescription treatments

Your doctor can prescribe bleaching creams that contain hydroquinone, a skin lightening agent. These can be combined with prescription retinoids and mild steroids.

With these prescription treatments, the dark spots may gradually fade over the span of a few months to a year.

However, hydroquinone should not be used for many months without taking a break, since this can actually lead to darkening.

Chemical peels

If topical therapy alone doesn’t work, combining it with superficial chemical peels may be an option. Ingredients to look for include:

glycolic acid
kojic acid
lactic acid
resorcinol
salicylic acid
tretinoin

Talk to your primary care doctor or dermatologist before trying chemical peels.

When to see a doctor

Dark spots on your legs are usually not a cause for concern, but you may want to mention them at your next doctor visit.

If you’re concerned about the appearance of dark spots on your skin, talk to your doctor or dermatologist about the safest and most effective types of treatment. The Healthline FindCare tool can provide options in your area if you don’t already have a doctor.

Signs that you should see a doctor right away include:

spots that are raised and not smooth
moles that are changing in appearance
dark spots on your palms, fingers, soles of your feet, toes, mouth, nose, vagina, or anus
other types of unusual lesions on your body

The bottom line

Dark spots on your legs may be harmless. But if they bother you, there are OTC products and home remedies that may help them fade. You can prevent further darkening and additional dark spots by using sunscreen all year long.

If you want to get rid of dark spots on your skin, see your doctor or a dermatologist. They can help guide you to the treatment with the most potential.

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesHistoryHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Alexis AF, et al. (2013). Natural ingredients for darker skin types: Growing options for hyperpigmentation.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24002160
Ali SA, et al. (2012). On the novel action of melanolyosis by a leaf extract of aloe vera and its active ingredient aloin, potent skin depigmenting agents. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0031-1298406
Dermatologist shines light on natural ingredients used in new topical treatments for hyperpigmentation. (2014).https://www.aad.org/media/news-releases/dermatologist-shines-light-on-natural-ingredients-used-in-new-topical-treatments-for-hyperpigmentation
Diabetes: 12 warning signs that appear on your skin. (n.d.).https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/other-conditions/diabetes-warning-signs
Laser skin resurfacing skin care procedure. (n.d.).https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/laser-skin-resurfacing
Mayo Clinic Staff. (2018). Age spots (liver spots).https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/age-spots/symptoms-causes/syc-20355859
Mayo Clinic Staff. (2019). Skin cancer.https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/skin-cancer/symptoms-causes/syc-20377605
Sarkar SB, et al. (2012). Addison’s disease. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4103%2F0976-237X.107450
Tinea versicolor: Signs and symptoms. (n.d.).https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/color-problems/tinea-versicolor#symptoms
Variety of options available to treat pigmentation problems. (2013).https://www.aad.org/media/news-releases/variety-of-options-available-to-treat-pigmentation-problems
What can get rid of age spots? (n.d.).https://www.aad.org/public/skin-hair-nails/anti-aging-skin-care/age-spots

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Medically reviewed by Owen Kramer, M.D. — Written by Ann Pietrangelo — Updated on April 25, 2023

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