Prevention and Treatment of Age Spots

Age spots also called liver spots and solar lentigines. Age spots are collections of color caused by exposure to the sun. They also sometimes result from bruising that leaves blood pigments behind. The increased pigmentation may be brought on by aging, exposure to sun or other forms of ultraviolet light, or other unknown causes. They are harmless and painless, but they may affect the cosmetic appearance. Occasionally, liver spots may obscure the diagnosis of skin cancers. They are most common in people over age 55.

The spots commonly appear on the hands but can occur almost somewhere, particularly sun-exposed areas such as the face, back, arms, feet, shoulders and face. These spots are common on the backs of the hand, face and legs. Age spots range from freckle-size to more than a centimeter across and can group together, making them more prominent. Often, age spots are accompanied by other signs of sun damage, including deep wrinkles, dry, rough skin, fine red veins on your cheeks, nose and ears and thinner, more translucent-looking skin. No treatment is needed in most cases. The best cure for age spots is prevention.

The key to preventing age spots is sun avoidance and daily sunscreen use. Sunscreens tender physical or chemical protection from the sun's harmful UV rays. Physical sunscreens protect your skin by producing a thin layer of protection that reflects or scatters the UVA and UVB rays even before they can break through the skin. Your diet plays a major role in the prevention of age spots. Eat food items containing green leafy vegetables, carrots, yams, nuts and fish that are rich in calcium, iron and carotene. Age spots can be treated with freezing, acids, skin sanding, electric needle and any other methods which cause a superficial destruction of the skin.

Retinoid, derived synthetically from Vitamin A, have been used to get rid of age spots for quite several time. Cryotherapy (freezing) or laser treatment may be recommended to demolish the liver spots. Cryotherapy involves applying liquid nitrogen or other freezing agent to the age spots to destroy the extra pigment. Laser therapy destroys the extra melanocytes that create the dark pigment without damaging the skin's surface. Treatments with laser typically require several sessions. For persons with dark skin, hydroquinone alternatives are recommended, such as kojic acid.