Age spots, also known as liver spots, are flat brown or gray spots that occur mostly in people over the age of 40. They are the result of excessive exposure to the sun and are common on the hands, neck and face, although they can also occur on other parts of the body. According to the Mayo Clinic, age spots do not pose any serious health risk, although some may look like cancerous growth on the skin. There are several lightening treatments for age spots. Prevention is possible by reducing sun exposure and by using sunblock with an SPF of over 20.
Causes
Excessive, prolonged exposure to the sun is the most common cause of age spots on the chest and elsewhere on the skin. Age spots may also occur in younger people who are susceptible to freckles and have sensitive skin that burns easily. Derma Network explains that when exposed to the sun, pigmentation cells in the chest are activated to produce more pigment, resulting in brown spots.
Symptoms
Mostly seen in the Caucasian population, the symptoms include the formation of small flat brown or gray spots, deep wrinkles and rough and thinner-looking skin. In some cases, the spots could appear as if they are expanding in size and could be of a very dark color. If this happens, consult your doctor immediately.
Treatment
The Mayo Clinic and Derma Network suggest a number of treatments for age spots on the chest. Laser therapy is the most expensive treatment but offers a permanent solution by destroying the pigmentation cells responsible for age spots without damaging the skin. Dermabrasion and chemical peels help in removing the topmost layer of the skin, resulting in skin lightening. Bleaching creams and sun protection can also help lighten and prevent age spots when used regularly on an ongoing basis.
Home Remedies
Lemon juice can be applied to age spots to lighten them. Lemon juice is helpful because it has acidic properties that can lighten the skin if used regularly. However, the effectiveness of this treatment has not been medically proven.
Considerations
Always use a sun protection lotion when traveling or stepping out of your home, especially if your skin is prone to sunburn. Consult a doctor if you see an irregularly shaped age spot that is of a different color or appears to be growing, because it could be a cancerous growth. Before beginning any treatment for age spots, you should talk to your dermatologist and see what he recommends.
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