A macule is a flat, distinct, discolored area of skin less than 1 centimeter wide that usually does not include a change in skin texture or thickness. Macules are identified by simply looking at them and touching them. If the lesion isn’t raised and it’s less than 1 cm in size, it’s by definition a macule. Macules can be caused by various conditions that affect the appearance of the skin, resulting in areas of discoloration. Some examples of conditions that are likely to cause macules are vitiligo, moles, freckles, sun spots, age spots, and liver spots. Macules can be a variety of colors based on the cause. For example, macules can be moles (which are hyperpigmented, or darker, relative to the skin) or vitiligo lesions (which are hypopigmented or depigmented, or lighter, relative to the skin) .