Age Spots / Lentigo

Age spots, sometimes called liver spots, are light to dark brown patches that appear on the hands, legs, feet, or face as people age. Age spots have rounded edges and look very much like large freckles. They are not a sign of disease and are not harmful. However, because age spots can detract from the skin’s appearance, many people seek treatment from a cosmetic dermatologist for removing age spots.

Age spots develop as a result of genetics or exposure to the sun. Some people are genetically predisposed to developing age spots. Younger individuals who have relatives with age spots can anticipate developing the dark patches on their skin later in life. The other cause of age spots is prolonged sun exposure. Many years of tanning, working outdoors, or living in a sunny climate makes people more likely to develop age spots. Unfortunately, exposure to the sun also increases the risk of skin cancer, so any spots that have irregular edges or mottled coloring should be examined by a dermatologist.

Because they are only superficial pigmented patches, removing age spots is usually a relatively simple process. Chemical peels, microdermabrasion, and IPLT Photo-rejuvenation treatments can all be effective in treating age spots and other surface damage to the skin.