Brown Spots - Age Spots
What are Brown Spots - Age Spots?
Brown Spots – Age Spots, also known as liver spots and solar lentigines, are flat tan, brown or black spots. They widely vary in size and usually appear on the face, hands, shoulders and arms, which are areas of the skin that are most exposed to the sun. Spots are very common in adults over the age 50, however, younger people can get them too, especially if they spend a lot of time in the sun without sunscreen.
Are age spots harmful?
True spots are harmless and don’t require treatment. For cosmetic purposes, these spots can be lightened with skin-bleaching products or removed. However, preventing age spots by avoiding the sun and using a broad-spectrum sunscreen everyday may be the easiest way to maintain your skin’s youthful appearance.
What you need to know about brown spots?
Age spots or liver spots occur when the top surface layer of skin expands with more pigment and develops what can look like a large freckle. One may appear by itself, or a few may be clustered together.
Some people also have a hereditary predisposition to age spots. However, brown spots can resemble potentially harmful growths, such as precancerous scaly, red elevations called actinic keratoses. Dark spots, which may be cancerous, may also appear to be lentigines. This is why it is important to have any spot on your skin that is new to be properly evaluated by one of our providers.
Start Your Journey Towards Beautiful Skin
Do's and Dont's
Do:
- Avoid excessive sun exposure.
Wear a broad spectrum sunscreen every day. - Have spots evaluated by one of our providers.
Don’t:
- Smoke.
What treatment is available?
Fotofacial Using Intense Pulse Light
A “fotofacial,” uses intense pulses of light (IPL) to penetrate deep into the skin. Most appropriate for lighter skin, IPL™ causes collagen and blood vessels below the epidermis to constrict, reducing redness and age lines.
People who may benefit from a fotofacial have:
- Blotchy, sun-damaged, or discolored skin
- Freckles
- Large pores
- Wrinkles
Request a consultation
Request an Appointment
For more information or to request a consultation at one of our several dermatology offices across the valley! Please call us at 480-398-1550 or fill out the contact form below and we will reach out within 24 to 48 hours.
