Age Spots - Skin Conditions

Age spots, also known as liver spots or solar lentigines, are small dark areas on your skin. They vary in size and usually appear on areas exposed to the sun most often, such as the face, hands, shoulders, and arms.

Age spots are very common in adults older than 50, but younger people can get them as well if they spend a lot of time in the sun or use tanning beds. Despite their name, age spots are not caused by age. Rather, they come from long-term sun exposure or exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light.

The increased pigmentation is usually due to the skin’s attempt to protect itself from harmful UV rays. The spots themselves are harmless and don’t need treatment, but they can look like cancerous growths. For cosmetic reasons, age spots can be lightened with skin-bleaching products or removed. However, preventing age spots by avoiding the sun and using sunscreen may be the easiest way to maintain your skin’s youthful appearance and to avoid these dark skin spots.