You often notice a bump-like mark on the back of your hand or your cheek, known as an age spot. These spots appear as flat brown or black spots on the skin. Age spots occur on your hands and face due to sun exposure. Age spots are known liver spots. It is often the case that these spots begin to appear at an early age or even in childhood, but this condition is more common in middle age and old age. Spending too much time in sunlight is one of the main causes of age spots. If you feel that new spots have started appearing on your skin you can contact the best Dermatologist in Rawalpindi.
Symptoms:
Age spots can affect people with any skin type but the age spot effect is more common in people with sensitive skin. Age spots are flat, with oval locations of raised pigmentation. These spots are usually tan to dark brown. Age spots happen on skin that has had the most sun disclosure over the years, such as the backs of hands, canopies of feet, face, shoulders, and upper back.
The following symptoms characterize age spots:
- Age spots change from light brown to black. Strong sunlight darkens them.
- The spots contain the same texture as the rest of your skin. They typically arise on sun-exposed sites. They’re flat to the touch and don’t induce any discomfort.
- Age spots can differ from the extent of a very small freckle to an inch in diameter.
- They may occur on their own or in a group, which can make them more prominent.
- Age spots are commonly round or oval, with very limited borders.
Causes:
Overactive pigment cells cause age spots. The production of melanin is increased by ultraviolet rays. A natural pigment gives skin its color. The skin is exposed to intense sunlight for years. Age spots appear when the melanin system is upset. These are also caused by the use of commercial tanning lamps. Excess production of melanin increases age spots.
Even experts are not fully aware of why spots are formed, but some people have an inherent bias toward them. In other words, we can also say that if the age spots are already there in your family, chances are they can also happen to you. Aging, ultraviolet rays, and tanning beds can also be possible causes. Your face, back of the hands, shoulders, upper back, and forearms are exposed to the sun more.
Diagnosis:
A physician will be able to determine age spots with a visual examination. They may utilize a dermatoscopy, which is a hand-held magnifying instrument that medical specialists use to analyze areas of skin.
In some circumstances, it can be complex to distinguish an age spot from melanoma, a kind of cancer that develops in cells that have pigment.
If a physician is unsure, he may summon a skin biopsy.
Are age spots connected with cancer?
We can not call age spots cancer. These can be similar to other types of skin cancer. Age spots are not cancerous. They can sometimes resemble types of skin cancer, however, so it is essential to be aware of the differences. Skin cancer is more possible to extend in areas that have been revealed to the sun over a long period. Age spots can look like actinic keratosis developments, which are precancerous.
Preventing age spots:
While you can’t always stop age spots, you can take a few steps to support lower your options of developing them:
- Avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when the sun’s beams are most extreme.
- Wear sunscreen every day. Use sunscreen for fifteen to 30 minutes before going outdoors.
- Wear defensive clothing, such as hats, pants, and long-sleeved shirts. These protect your skin from ultraviolet rays.
Home remedies:
The following natural remedies may also support lightening age spots.
- Applying aloe vera to age spots each day can lighten the scars.
- Red onion skin may decrease age spots. A person can look for topical lotions that contain Allium cepa.
- Orchid extracts may remove age spots. The extracts are components in some skin care products.
Treatments:
If you want your age spot to decrease significantly, treatments are available to reduce or eliminate these symptoms. The pigment is located on the outer surface of the skin. It is important to reach this layer of skin to reduce age spots.
If you want to remove a confirmed age spot for cosmetic reasons, you can have a variety of options.
- Laser and intense pulsed light.
- Freezing
- Chemical peel.
For better treatment, you can visit Mid city Hospital.