Age spots have little to do with aging. They have a lot to do with the sun.

Age spots are actually sun-induced freckles. They commonly appear on the backs of the hands, but can also be seen on the shoulders and face in persons who have had significant sun exposure.

Age spots are common in older people, but someone who has had significant sun exposure can get them in their late twenties, thirties and forties.

Even a little bit of sun worshipping can cause age spots later in life. Sunlight contains ultraviolet rays that cause suntans and burns. As time goes by, tanning causes more pigment than normal to be deposited in the skin. This leads eventually to flat, brown skin lesions known as age spots. They're also known as liver spots or sun spots.

Age spots are harmless. They're benign and they do not go on to become any type of skin cancer or premalignant skin lesion. But because some skin cancers such as melanoma can look like age spots, you should ask your doctor to examine your skin during your annual checkup.

Bleach it out. If your age spots are not too dark or large, over the counter skin bleaching creams containing 2% hydroquinone could help them fade away.

Don't overexpose yourself. The best way to treat and prevent age spots is to cut the time you spend in the sun. Once you have these spots, sunlight can make them appear darker and more prominent. To prevent this, always wear a sun block that has a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15 on exposed skin. In addition, try to wear a long-sleeved shirt and a broad-brimmed hat whenever you're outdoors.

Photofacial. A series of laser treatments that effectively reduce the appearance of age spots.

FAQ: Pigmented Lesions (Read More)

Pigmented Lesion Removal. Using a specially tailored treatment protocol for each patient, TLC Medispa is able to remove or greatly fade most pigmented lesions.