Tannability, Burnability and the Tale of Brown Spots: What Your Skin is Trying to Tell You

London Dermatology | 11 May 2025

Our skin is an incredible storyteller, and like any family history, it carries traits passed down through generations. Two of the most important inherited skin traits are tannability and burnability. They do not always appear together in harmony.

Inherited Traits: Tannability vs Burnability

Tannability refers to the skin’s ability to bronze beautifully in the sun. If you have inherited this from one side of your family, you might tan easily and be tempted to chase that sun-kissed glow.

However, there is a twist. If you have also inherited burnability from another ancestor, every tanning session comes with a hidden cost. While you may tan, you are also likely to burn. This combination can set the stage for future skin damage, including the development of brown spots.

What Are Solar Lentigoes?

These brown spots, medically known as solar lentigoes, are not simply signs of ageing. They are the visible result of sun exposure from around 20 or more years ago. Once they appear, they tend to grow larger and darken with each passing year.

Fortunately, modern dermatology offers a safe and effective treatment: cryotherapy, or freezing with liquid nitrogen spray.

To optimise results and reduce side effects, cryotherapy is usually performed in three sessions, sometimes preceded by a test treatment on a few spots. This method increases the likelihood that brown spots will clear completely, while minimising the risk of white marks appearing in their place.