Age spots, or liver spots, are flat marks that appear on the skin and result from excessive pigmentation caused by sun exposure. Age spots generally appear on the face, arms and other areas that receive the most exposure to the sun. Although its common name suggests otherwise, age spots often affect individuals over the age of 40, but can appear on younger individuals as well.
Appearance
Age spots generally appear on areas of the body that are the most often exposed to the sun. These vary in size and can be as small as a pea or as large as a dime. They are often irregular in shape and are seldom perfectly round. Color variations are also common, and generally appear in varying shades of gray, black and brown.
Causes
According to the Mayo Clinic, age spots are caused by excessive production of melanin, a dark pigment of the skin that gathers in one particular area. Ultraviolet light from the sun can accelerate the production of melanin, resulting in the formation of age spots.
Aging can also increase the production of melanin, thus the common name of age spots. The Mayo Clinic states that genetics can also play a role in the development of age spots.
Considerations
True age spots are simply a hyperpigmentation of the skin, thus they are not harmful. However, these spots often appear similar to other abnormal skin pigmentations that are potentially harmful and should be examined by a dermatologist. It is extremely important to have any new spots examined by a professional and tested if necessary to ensure that they are noncancerous and harmless.
Treatment and Removal
They Mayo Clinic lists several cosmetic treatments that can lighten or remove age spots. Prescription medications such as steroids and bleaching creams are often used to lighten age spots, although these generally require several months of use before you will notice improvement.
Freezing can also lighten age spots, though there is a risk of permanent discoloration and scarring associated with this treatment method.
Laser therapy is another effective lightening method and has few side effects. Although this is a favorable treatment option, it often requires several treatments and can be expensive. Results are generally not noticeable for several weeks or months.
More intensive forms of treatment are dermabrasion and chemical peels, which involve removing the outer layers of skin and allowing for new skin formation.
Home Remedies
HomeRemediesWeb.com lists several home treatments for age spots. The site suggests that lemon juice, castor oil and aloe vera gel applied directly to the affected areas of the skin can lighten the spots if used consistently for several weeks or months.
The site also lists a remedy utilizing equal parts apple cider vinegar and the juice of an onion. It is recommended you apply a mixture of the two components directly to the skin and allow it to set as long as possible. A gradual lightening should be apparent in as little as six weeks.
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