Age spots are markings that occur on the skin after continuous sun exposure. They are not harmful; however, some individuals want to eliminate Skin Deep Laser MD age spots for aesthetic reasons. Other names for age spots are solar lentigines and liver spots. However, liver spots have nothing to do with your liver. Age spots are flat and darker than the nearby skin. Furthermore, they might be tan, brown, or black and resemble freckles.

Age spots diagnosis

A dermatologist or healthcare practitioner will often identify age spots by visual examination, biopsy, or both.

• Visual examination: During a visual exam, your doctor will evaluate the color, size, and form of your mark to establish whether it is indeed an age spot. They may also feel the area to see if it has a raised texture or the same texture as your surrounding skin.
• Biopsy: If your doctor or dermatologist suspects the black spot is something other than an age spot, they will usually recommend a biopsy. A tiny skin sample is removed from the age spot and sent to a lab to assess for cancer or other abnormalities.

Are age spots connected with cancer?

Cancerous age spots do not exist. They can mimic some forms of skin cancer; therefore, it is critical to understand the distinctions. Skin cancer is more prone to develop in places that have been exposed to sunlight for an extended length of time. Age spots might resemble precancerous actinic keratosis (AK) growths. Conversely, age spots are flat, whereas AK growths are generally rough. Other things to be aware of are:

• Rough areas of skin that may hurt when scratched dry.
• Scaly, pink, or red patches of the skin.
• White, scaly spots that resemble warts.

Additionally, if you think that you have AK growths, you should seek medical attention. It is always a good idea to visit a doctor if you notice any strange changes in your skin. When skin cancer is detected early, therapy has a high success rate.

How to prevent age spots

While you can’t always avoid age spots, you can take a few precautions to reduce your chances of getting them:

• Keep off the sun from 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when its rays are at their strongest.
• Use sunscreen every day. It should be made of an SPF of at least 30 and protect against UVA and UVB radiation.
• Administer sunscreen for at least 30 minutes before going out in the sun.
• Apply sunscreen every 2 hours or more frequently if swimming or sweating.
• Protective clothing should be worn, including hats, long-sleeved shirts, and slacks. These protect your skin from UV rays. Also, wear UV-blocking clothing with an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) of at least 40 for the optimum protection.

Age spots are not threatening and do not require medical attention. For aesthetic reasons, some individuals opt to lighten or eliminate them. Anyone concerned about the emergence of new markings or other changes to their skin should consult a doctor. Call Skin Deep Laser MD to schedule your meeting to learn more about various age spot procedures.