Chemical Peels For Liver Spots

The "Encyclopedia of Family Health" says liver spots can appear at any age. They are brown spots on your skin that are similar to freckles. Liver spots do not change color or multiply on exposure to sunlight, but freckles do. Liver spots also are referred to as lentigines and can be a source of concern because they can look unsightly. A chemical peel is a procedure used to treat liver spots.

Causes of Liver Spots

The "Encyclopedia of Family Health" says liver spots might stem from increased activity of melanocytes--the pigment-producing cells in your skin--in one area of your skin or from extra amounts of melanocytes in one area of your skin. Sunlight increases the activity of melanocytes, so excessive sun exposure can cause liver spots. Other causes include aging, hormonal changes and skin conditions such as bruises, cuts or acne.

Chemical Peels

Superficial or medium-depth chemical peels can be used to fade liver spots, according to the Mayo Clinic. Chemical peels result in the peeling or sloughing off, of layers of your skin. Superficial chemical peels remove the top layer of your skin, and medium-depth peels cause the top (epidermis) and part of the bottom layer of your skin (dermis) to slough off.

Procedures

A superficial chemical peel can be done by qualified aestheticians, physicians or dermatologists. Medium-depth peels may be done only by qualified dermatologists or physicians. During a chemical peel, a solution such as alphahydroxy acid or trichloroacetic acid is applied to the liver spot. The chemical solution is removed after a while, and this causes the top layer of your skin peel off.

Results

After a chemical peel, the age spot on your skin gradually fades away as the blemished area peels off and new skin develops. If you have a superficial chemical peel for liver spots on your skin, you might need several treatments before you notice positive results.

Considerations

After a chemical peel, Mayo Clinic recommends that you protect your skin from the sun. Apply sunscreen before you go outdoors, and wear protective clothing, such as hats and long-sleeved shirts. The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery says a chemical peel done with trichloroacteic acid is especially effective in treating darker-skinned people.