What are Age and Sun Spots?
Age spots (also called sun or liver spots) are flat brown, gray, or black spots on the skin. They usually occur on sun-exposed areas.
Treatment Options
Many creams, lasers and other treatments are available for this condition such as:
Medicinal/Topical:
- Prescription creams containing Retinol, Retin A, Hydroquinone
Non-Medicinal/Topical:
- Vitamin C antioxidants, SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF or C E ferulic
- ZO vitamin C serum
- Non-retinol bright alive
Therapeutic:
- Halo Laser Skin Resurfacing
- Chemical peels
- Photofacials/IPL,
- And many other treatments
What Causes Age and Sun Spots?
Age spots are the result of excess production of melanin, or skin pigment. Doctors don’t always know why age spots develop. Skin ageing, sun exposure, or other forms of ultraviolet (UV) light exposure, such as tanning beds, are all possible causes. You’re most likely to develop sun spots on the areas of your skin that receive the most sun exposure.
Symptoms
Age spots may affect people of all skin types, but they’re more common in people with light skin. Age spots:
- Are flat, oval areas of increased pigmentation
- Are usually tan, brown or black
- Occur on skin that has had the most sun exposure over the years, such as the backs of hands, tops of feet, face, shoulders and upper back
Age spots range from freckle size to about a 1/2 inch (13 mm) across and can group together, making them more noticeable.