Age spots: Are 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, such as the backs of hands, tops of feet, face, shoulders and upper back.
Spots that become asymmetric, have borders that shift, get darker or lighter, or change in diameter should be checked for skin cancer. Speed of changes. Age spots tend to shift from pink to yellow to tan to brown over several years. Spots that are changing more rapidly should be evaluated.
They're also called liver spots or age spots. A lentigo can grow very slowly over many years, or it can appear suddenly. They may have rounded or uneven edges. Lentigines can appear in different areas of your body, depending on their cause.
Age spots can easily be confused with melanoma. Find out the difference between skin cancer and "sun" spots - and when to call the doctor. Some changes in your skin come with age, such as the unpopular age spots (also known as sun spots or liver spots).
Age spots are also known as sun spots, liver spots, or solar lentigines. They are small, flat, brown spots on the skin that begin to appear later in life on sun-exposed areas. They are particularly common on the face, neck, arms, and backs of the hands, usually sparing the knuckles.
Age spots don't require medical care. Have your doctor look at spots that are black or have changed in appearance. These changes can be signs of melanoma, a serious form of skin cancer.
These spots are called “actinic lentigines,” which are more commonly referred to as sun spots, age spots, or liver spots. These small, gray-brown spots aren't a type of skin cancer. They also don't progress to become skin cancer and don't require any treatment.
Redness or new swelling beyond the border of a mole. Color that spreads from the border of a spot into surrounding skin. Itching, pain, or tenderness in an area that doesn't go away or goes away then comes back. Changes in the surface of a mole: oozing, scaliness, bleeding, or the appearance of a lump or bump.
Age spots can look like actinic keratosis (AK) growths, which are precancerous. However, age spots are flat, while AK growths usually feel rough. Other issues to look out for include: rough patches of skin that may be painful when rubbed.
A seborrheic keratosis (seb-o-REE-ik ker-uh-TOE-sis) is a common noncancerous (benign) skin growth. People tend to get more of them as they get older. Seborrheic keratoses are usually brown, black or light tan. The growths (lesions) look waxy or scaly and slightly raised.
Other lifestyle changes that cause stress will alter a person's hormones and, in return, cause skin changes. These changes may come in the form of acne, aging spots, dryness, oiliness, and other issues.
When we experience chronic, continual stress there's an increase in hormones that directly impact the skin. We experience an increase in breakout activity, hyperpigmentation, sensitivity and premature skin ageing.
Liver spots are flat, brown or black spots that can appear on areas of the skin that are exposed to the sun. They have nothing to do with the liver or liver function. Lentigos, sometimes called age spots or freckles, are a result of cumulative damage to the skin by sunlight.
They most often start popping up at or around age 50, but younger people can also get age spots if they spend a lot of time in the sun. If you don't like the appearance of your age spots, there are many things you can do to get rid of them.
Here's one of the major differences: sunspots tend to crop up on areas of your skin that have had a lot of sun exposure over the years. On the other hand, melanoma — the fastest growing and most deadly form of skin cancer — can appear anywhere, even in areas with no sun exposure or limited exposure to UV rays.
Texture. The spots have the same texture as the rest of your skin. They typically appear on sun-exposed areas. They're flat to the touch and don't cause any pain.
You should see your doctor if you have: a spot or sore that doesn't heal within 4 weeks. a spot or sore that hurts, is itchy, crusty, scabs over, or bleeds for more than 4 weeks. areas where the skin has broken down (an ulcer) and doesn't heal within 4 weeks, and you can't think of a reason for this change.
Border that is irregular: The edges are often ragged, notched, or blurred in outline. The pigment may spread into the surrounding skin. Color that is uneven: Shades of black, brown, and tan may be present. Areas of white, gray, red, pink, or blue may also be seen.
If you find a suspicious spot, seeing a dermatologist can give you peace of mind. Dermatologists are experts in caring for the skin and have more experience diagnosing skin cancer than any other doctor.
What do they look like? Sunspots appear as flat, darker patches of skin (tan to dark brown) that are found on areas of the body that have experienced high levels of sun exposure such as the face, shoulders, hands, chest, and the backs of hands.
age pigment or lipofuscin, was proposed to be such a material. It is a brown pigment that generally increases with age, and its formation is increased by consumption of unsaturated fats, by vitamin E deficiency, by stress, and by exposure to excess estrogen."
Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light.
Ultraviolet radiation, which speeds the natural aging process, is the primary cause of early wrinkling. Exposure to UV light breaks down your skin's connective tissue — collagen and elastin fibers, which lie in the deeper layer of skin (dermis).
Brown spots are caused by the overproduction of melanin in your skin. Melanin is the pigment that gives your skin, hair and eyes their color. It is produced by cells called melanocytes. Think of melanocytes as sponges that soak up sunlight.
People can attempt to treat age spots at home using over-the-counter (OTC) topical creams and lotions. These products may help lighten the skin and cause the age spots to fade.