Age spots are also referred to as brown spots, liver spots & sun spots and generally form as we get older due to increased production of melanin and years of exposure to ultraviolet rays (sun, tanning beds, etc), all of which cause skin pigmentation. However, they can develop at any age to any sex or race and are most likely to appear on the face, hands, shoulders, and forearms, areas most exposed to UV radiation, but can appear on other areas of the skin as well. Prevention starts with minimizing your exposure to the sun and avoiding tanning beds. Aside from causing age spots, they damage your skin cells, speed up signs of aging, and worst of all can lead to skin cancer. We all love the sun and a beautiful golden tan but unfortunately, there is nothing safe about exposing your skin to ultraviolet rays.
Age spots are round or oval, range in color from light brown to black, and have the same texture as the rest of your skin. They are not dangerous or harmful, cause no pain or health problems, and can be greatly diminished, in many cases faded totally depending on your skin type. Lighter skin is tougher to treat but not impossible.
Those most at risk of developing age spots
People over 40 years of age
Fair (light) skin types
Overexposure to sunlight
History of frequently using tanning beds
Signs of age spots
Flat, oval areas of increased pigmentation
Are usually tan to dark brown
Occur on skin that has had the most sun exposure over the years (backs of hands, tops of feet, face, shoulders & upper back)
Range from freckle size to about 1/2 inch (13 millimeters) across
Treatments for age spots
Applying prescription bleaching creams (can cause redness, skin ulcers, swelling, itching, burning, tenderness, scaly skin)
Laser (causes redness, swelling, itching & pain; may cause skin color change & scarring)
Intense pulsed light (harmless but expensive)
Freezing (cryotherapy) - risk of scarring or permanent skin discoloration
Dermabrasion (causes bleeding)
Microdermabrasion (resolves without any downtime)
Chemical peel (minor skin damage & skin repairs itself; soothing treatments speed the healing process)
Creams & serums w/ natural skin brighteners (No side effects but lots of anti-aging benefits)
What could it be if not age spots?
Seborrheic keratosis, which is a common non-cancerous skin growth
Actinic keratosis, which are precancerous growths that develop when skin is badly damaged by ultraviolet light
Skin cancer, abnormal growth of skin cells
Signs of seborrheic keratosis
Rough bumps slightly raised from the surrounding skin
White or light tan in appearance, which may darken to brown or black
Have a waxy, pasted-on look
Look scaly or like a wart
Bumps are well-defined from the surrounding skin
Not usually cause pain but may sometimes itch a little
Signs of actinic keratosis
Rough, dry, or scaly patch of skin, usually less than 1 inch (2.5 centimeters) in diameter
Flat to slightly raised patch or bump on the top layer of skin
In some cases, a hard, wartlike surface
Color variations, including pink, red or brown
Form on the chest, back, stomach, scalp, face, neck, or other parts of the body (but not on the palms & soles)
Itching, burning, bleeding or crusting
signs of skin cancer
Abnormal growth of skin cells
Usually caused by the sun’s harmful rays
Caught early, skin cancer is highly treatable
Before deciding on any treatment, you should first see a dermatologist to determine the cause of your discoloration.
Irresistibly Ageless can help you fade age spots naturally while also providing your skin with nourishment, hydration, and protection against UV radiation & free radicals for a more youthful appearance. As with any skincare product, results are not immediate, Our creams, serums, chemical peels, and microdermabrasion work over time to fade discoloration, revealing a more even skin tone and a brighter complexion.
Recommended Products
Fade away age spots & reveal a brighter more youthful complexion today!
Always remember to protect your skin with sunscreen, even under clothing