Liver Spots

Also known as age spots and solar lentigines, liver spots are harmless patches of pigmentation, ranging from the size of freckles to a few inches in diameter that usually occur on the arms, hands, shoulders, face, or areas that are usually exposed to the sun.

They usually form after 40 years of age, and although they are usually thought to be caused by overexposure to the sun, they can also form due to unknown causes since they can also occur in areas that are not exposed to the sun.

The reason they are known as liver spots is that, in the past, it was thought that they were caused due to the liver malfunctioning. They are usually brown or red in color, or the color of the liver; however, their color can range from black to gray.

Melanin is the pigment that gives color to the skin. Ultraviolet rays quicken the melanin production in skin. This extra melanin, which is produced in order to protect the skin, creates the tan we are all familiar with when we go out in the sun for an extended period of time.

These spots form when this extra melanin clumps together or higher concentrations of it is produced in certain parts of the skin. Usually, it takes years of being exposed to the sun for these age spots to form. Tanning beds and commercial tanning lamps can also lead to the formation of age spots, over time.

Apart from exposure to the sun, simply aging can cause melanin to be produced in excessive amounts, resulting in age spots. Genetic factors may also be one of the causes for this skin condition.

Age spots are quite harmless and require no treatment; however, some people dislike them because of cosmetic reasons. Also, their presence can sometimes confuse the diagnosis of skin cancer. Hence, there are treatments that can help fade or remove the age spots.

As these spots occur in the deepest layer of the epidermis, the treatment methods used for lightening or removing them have to penetrate deep into the skin.

Some of the treatment options are as follows:

• Topical bleaching creams, either used alone or along with retinoids and some mild steroid, the application of which may help in fading the spots gradually over a number of months. Nonprescription fading creams containing kojic acid or glycolic acid available over the counter, can also help in reduce the age spots.

• Another treatment is dermabrasion, which involves using a rapidly rotating brush to scrape off the top layer of the skin, which results in the formation of a new layer of skin in its place. This procedure can cause temporary redness and scabbing in the affected area.

• Using a chemical peel, of light or medium strength, can also help in gradually fading off age spots although a number of treatments are required before the results can be noticed. Basically, it involves using an acid for burning off the surface layer of the skin, which then enables new skin to form in its place.

• Cryotherapy or freezing is also used for destroying the extra pigmentation on the skin, which basically involves the application of liquid nitrogen on the affected area. As this area heals, there is marked lightening of the skin. Although this method is useful, there is a slight chance of discoloration or permanent scarring.

• Laser treatment is another effective method for treating age spots. It helps in destroying the extra cells in the basal layer of the skin that produce the extra melanin, without causing damage to the surface of the skin. 

Generally, a number of sessions are required, and after the treatment, the liver spots gradually fade away over a number of weeks or even months. Although laser treatment does not have many side effects, it can be quite costly.

You can prevent age spots from occurring by using sunscreen when you go out and also by avoiding exposing your skin to strong sunlight.

If you must go out during the peak hours of sunlight, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., make sure to cover yourself with protective clothing, like blouses and shirts with long sleeves, long pants or skirts or dresses, and hats with wide brims.

Since treatments for age spots are regarded as cosmetic, they are usually not covered by insurance. Also, there may be side effects of any of these treatment procedures. Hence, it is important to discuss them with your doctor in advance.

Disclaimer: This Story is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.