Causes of Age Spots

Age spots are spots of pigmentation on the skin. They are also known as:

• Sun spots
• Liver spots
• Lentigos
• Lentigines

These spots are flat, tan, brown, or dark brown and form on sun-exposed skin. As people age, the sun spots most commonly appear on the back of the hands, the forearms, neck, chest, and face. These spots are associated with cumulative sun exposure.

The pigment produces cells in the skin, called melanocytes, which are activated to produce more pigment (melanin) by ultraviolet rays. The melanin sometimes clumps together and forms age spots. They are not cancerous but people with a large number of age spots may be at risk for skin cancer.

The brown spots on the skin come from being out in the sun unprotected for too long. As people age, the skin is subjected to more and more sun damage. The skin has the ability to absorb sunlight and melanin protects the sun naturally from UV rays. As a person ages, though, the skin’s natural ability to fend off UV rays from the sun. These rays begin to destroy the skin and age spots develop.

Age spots increase with age and increased sun exposure. There are some skin types that are more prone to freckles, age spots, and sunburns. It is important to recognize that if a person has had enough sun exposure to develop age spots, he or she has a higher risk of skin cancer as well.

Contact a Houston Medical Spa

For more information on age spots and methods of removing them, contact the Houston medical spa Dermagenix at 713-662-3376 today.