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Cosmetic
Dermatology Conditions - Age
Spots / Lentigo
Age spots,
sometimes called liver spots,
are light to dark brown patches
that appear on the hands, legs,
feet, or face as people age. Age
spots have rounded edges and
look very much like large
freckles. They are not a sign of
disease and are not harmful.
However, because age spots can
detract from the skin's
appearance, many people seek
treatment from a cosmetic
dermatologist for removing age
spots.
Age spots develop as a result of
genetics or exposure to the sun.
Some people are genetically
predisposed to developing age
spots. Younger individuals who
have relatives with age spots
can anticipate developing the
dark patches on their skin later
in life. The other cause of age
spots is prolonged sun exposure.
Many years of tanning, working
outdoors, or living in a sunny
climate makes people more likely
to develop age spots.
Unfortunately, exposure to the
sun also increases the risk of
skin cancer, so any spots that
have irregular edges or mottled
coloring should be examined by a
dermatologist.
Because they are only
superficial pigmented patches,
removing age spots is usually a
relatively simple process.
Chemical peels,
microdermabrasion, and IPLT
Photo-rejuvenation treatments
can all be effective in treating
age spots and other surface
damage to the skin.
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