Age spots, which are sometimes referred to as sun spots, liver spots or lentigines, are non-malignant, flat brown, tan, red or black discolorations that form on the skin. Age spots are often seen on the backs of hands and on the face. They develop most commonly on people over the age of forty, hence their name. Age spots begin to form when sun exposure destroys the skin's melanocyte cells. These cells produce the melanin pigment that protects our skin from sun damage. As we age, our bodies cannot rebuild damaged melanocytes as quickly, resulting in a build up of pigmentation on certain exposed areas. It may take years for an emerging age spot to become visible.
It was long-believed that liver dysfunction was another cause of age spots, although this theory has been questioned in recent years. The belief was that, as we age, our metabolism slows, and our liver's ability to purify the body of toxins diminishes. Supposedly, this build up of toxins could be a contributing factor in the appearance of age spots.
Age spots can be prevented through proper skin care during one's youth. Sun avoidance and sun protection are key to minimizing your risks of developing age spots. Many people do not realize that they are exposed to the sun's harmful rays every time they leave their house. Simply sitting in your car on the way to work each day submits your skin to harsh sun exposure. It is therefore imperative that you apply sun block, with an SPF of fifteen or higher, to all exposed body parts every day before leaving the house.
For those who have already developed age spots, there are a number of ways in which to treat them. Options for age spot removal include chemical peels, laser resurfacing, intense pulsed light therapy and bleaching creams. All of these procedures can be performed in a dermatologist's office, and require no anesthesia or sedation of any kind. They are not considered invasive, and patients can usually leave the office within less than two hours. Afterward, treated skin must be cared for at home in accordance with the doctor's orders, so as to avoid infection.
For those interested in more natural remedies, daily applications (directly to the age spot) of aloe vera gel, apple cider vinegar mixed with onion juice, lemon juice or castor oil have been said to reduce these blemishes over time.
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