1. Spot the Signs of Aging
Liver spots, also called age spots and senile lentigines, are flat spots that range from the size of a freckle to an inch or more. These areas of increased pigmentation that appear on the skin are harmless and painless. They range in color from gray to brown to black. Age spots often appear on areas of the body with high sun exposure, such as the hands, face, arms and shoulders. They are most common in people with fair skin who are over age 40. However, many younger people and those with darker skin also get liver spots.
2. Check Age Spots for Cancer
Many people self-diagnose their age spots simply by looking at them, but if the spots are new, ask a doctor to check them. If he suspects an irregularity, the doctor will conduct tests to rule out other conditions, including lentigo maligna, a type of skin cancer.
3. Stay Calm When the Spots Appear
Although many people find their liver spots and dark freckles unsightly and upsetting, they usually are not dangerous. Age spots are generally irregular or oval shaped, with sharply defined borders. Liver spots are not cancerous, and they do not indicate any problems with your liver. Always seek medical attention from your family doctor or dermatologist if the age spots change shape, size or color.
4. Prevent These Signs of Aging
Avoiding exposure to the sun is the best way to prevent age spots. The damage from the sun that takes place before the age of 20 is one of the key factors in your skin's appearance. Wear a hat, a long-sleeved shirt and pants and apply high PHF sunscreen whenever you go outside. Avoid the hottest rays of the sun (between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.) to keep your skin looking younger. If your skin already has age spots, avoid additional sun exposure to keep the spots from darkening and enlarging.
5. Make the Spots Fade
Treating age spots is not necessary, but their appearance may bother you. Prescription medications can lighten the color of the spots. Other ways to treat age spots include home remedies, such as applying lemon juice, papaya flesh or Japanese sake directly onto them everyday for several weeks. A few research studies show that a diet rich in soy and flavanoids can diminish age spots. Others opt for chemical peels, microdermabrasion or laser treatments to rid themselves of the blemishes.
