Solar Lentigines, also referred to as age spots, and liver spots, are concentrated areas of pigmentation that occur as part of the aging process. These spots most frequently appear on areas of skin consistently exposed to the sun, such as the face, backs of the hands and shoulders.
Brown spots rarely pose more than a cosmetic concern, but some do resemble cancerous growths. For this reason, it is always a good idea to have brown spots, particularly if they change in appearance, evaluated by a dermatologist.
Causes of Lentigines
The most frequent cause of age spots is sun exposure. However, brown spots can also develop from any type of exposure to UV rays, including tanning beds. UV light promotes melanin production in the body, which is what creates the darker skin color. When melanin gets produced in high concentrations in a single area of skin, brown spots can appear, usually years later with advancing age.
Treatment Options
Traditional options include prescription medications, cosmeceutical products, chemical peels, and cryotherapy. Laser technologies offer more precise method of treating sun and age spots. Laser skin resurfacing, IPL photofacials, and Q switched KTP laser could all be used to treat brown spots.