We know you love the sun! We do too! That’s one of the reasons we live here in Denver— to enjoy the wonderful year-round outdoor activities.
The only problem with fun-in-the-sun is that the sun can damage your skin, so skin care is very important. Even when the sun is tucked behind the clouds, harmful UV rays still get through.
The sun can turn your smooth, beautiful skin into a patchwork of:
- Uneven freckles
- Sunspots
- Pigmented lesions
Combine exposure to the sun with the aging process, and now you can add age spots (liver spots) to the mix.
When You Get Right Down to It
Age spots, skin spots, liver spots, and pigmented lesions are all the same thing: small, flat dark areas on the skin. If you are older than 50, then you probably already have more than a few.
If you are younger than 50 but spend a lot of time in the sun, you may have noticed them on your skin too. You usually see them in areas that are consistently exposed to the sun, like your face, hands, shoulders, and arms.
They Can Be Removed
These spots vary in size and might look like cancerous growths, but typically they are not. They are a sign your skin has been exposed to the sun a lot, and it has attempted to protect itself from more sun damage.
If you aren’t a fan of the spots, we have skin care options that can lighten or remove them. You can also prevent more spots from appearing by using sunscreen and avoiding the sun- but we’ll get to that later.
The Source of Spots
Age spots, sun spots, and pigmented lesions affect people of all skin types. However, they are more common in adults with light skin. Ultraviolet (UV) rays speed up the production of melanin (the natural pigment that gives skin its color).
Melanin becomes clumped or is produced in high concentrations when your skin is exposed to a large amount of UV rays from the sun or a tanning bed.
Oval areas of increased pigmentation that are usually tan to dark brown appear on the skin’s surface. Their size can range from tiny dots to about 1/2 inch (13 millimeters) across.
They can also group, which will make them more noticeable. Although freckles can fade if you avoid the sun, age spots are permanent.
Spot Check
Although age spots require no medical care, Dr. Norton recommends checking your spots if they:
- Have increased in size
- Are black
- Have an unusual combination of colors
- Have irregular borders
- Are bleeding
Poised for Prevention
To help avoid age spots and getting new spots after treatment, follow these tips for limiting your sun exposure:
- Avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
- Use sunscreen
- Cover up
- Check out our age-defying skincare products
Clearing the Clutter
If you are tired of having your skin cluttered with sunspots, age spots, and pigmented lesions, we can help!
Our laser skin therapy and micro-needling treatments are incredibly effective at achieving brighter, more uniform skin without downtime. Contact us today for an appointment!
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