Guide to age spots

This article has been reviewed and approved by Dr. Ali Bagher, MD, Plastic Surgeon, on November 21, 2024.

Age spots, also known as sun spots or liver spots, are a common skin condition that affects most people as we get older. They are caused by an overproduction of melanin, which is the pigment that gives skin its color. Here we will take a closer look at how age spots occur, where on the body they often appear, different types of spots, and effective and modern treatments. 

Why do age spots appear?

As mentioned earlier, age spots are also known as sun spots and there is a good reason why. The main reason age spots form is due to prolonged exposure to UV rays. UV rays are present in both natural sunlight and in tanning beds. Although the sun also provides beneficial vitamin D, these rays can be damaging, resulting in an increased production of melanin, in an attempt to protect the skin. It is not uncommon for certain areas of the face, décolletage and hands to be particularly affected and for the skin in these areas to become darker than others. Hormonal changes, for example during pregnancy, can also cause pigmentation.

Areas that are easily affected

The reason why some areas are more easily affected than others depends mainly on how exposed to sun they are. As mentioned earlier, the face, hands and décolletage are commonly affected, as well as the shoulders.

Common sites for age spots are:

• Ears
• The face
• Hands
• décolletage
• Shoulders

Different types of pigmentation

However, age spots are not the only cause of skin pigmentation. There are many other types of spots that can occur throughout life. One example of a common type of pigmentation is melasma, which is a dark patch that occurs mainly in pregnant women or with the use of contraceptive pills. Lentigo is also a common skin condition where larger patches may appear after sun damage. Lentigo is most common in older people. Plocus is another skin disorder that is usually due to heredity.

Effective treatments

Even if age spots are not dangerous, they can be disturbing and affect your self-confidence. Luckily, there are many great and popular treatments to both reduce the visibility or remove age spots altogether. At Estetikcentrum we offer high-tech CO2 laser that helps to rejuvenate and repair the skin in depth. You will also find our popular treatment Alma Rejuve which combines several different types of laser to eliminate age spots and give you improved skin tone and texture.

Summary

Age spots are a common occurrence for most people, especially as we get older. Despite being a very common skin condition, it still affects many people's self-confidence and everyday life. By gaining a better understanding of why spots appear and where on the body they occur, we can better offer modern treatments that really work. At Estetikcentrum we offer several treatment options for you to choose from, such as Alma Rejuve and CO2 laser. Contact us today and we will help you schedule a personalized consultation on a day and time that suits you!