White spots can appear when skin proteins or dead cells become trapped under the skin’s surface. They can also result from depigmentation, or color loss, due to vitiligo or another health condition. White skin spots are not usually a reason for concern and do not cause major symptoms.

White spots on the skin can result from a variety of skin conditions and are usually harmless. The most common white spots are idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis, usually a result of sun exposure. However, skin cancers can also develop due to repeated, unprotected exposure to the sun and other sources of UV radiation, such as tanning beds.

White bumps called milia are the most common cause, but hard bumps can also be from closed pores, cysts, keratoses, skin cancer, and more. These white bumps can appear on your face under your eyes, on your cheek, forehead, chin, or nose. White bumps on the face become more common with age and during pregnancy.

White spots on the skin appear lighter than your normal skin color. Most of the time we think sun exposure causes extra melanin production and brown spots or a tan to form on the skin. However, exposure to the sun can also cause the skin to stop producing melanin, which causes white spots in those areas.