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What ARE Age Spots, Anyway?

Those brown spots, if they have shown up later in life, are most likely age spots. Sometimes also called liver spots—although they have nothing at all to do with the liver—age spots are caused by long-term unprotected exposure to the sun, which causes changes in the color of the pigment in the skin, known as hyperpigmentation.

Age spots are most frequently found on the hands and forearms, because those are the areas of our bodies that receive the least amount of protection from clothing. While age spots are not in and of themselves dangerous, nor do they indicate disease, they are sun damage and are your skin’s way of telling you it has had too much sun.

To prevent age spots, Dr. Dennis Gross, creator of the MD Skincare line, says to always wear sunscreen. He recommends using a sunscreen with an SPF rating of 30 or higher. Remember that age spots most commonly occur on the hands and forearms, which we often neglect when applying our daily sunscreen, so don’t forget to pay attention to those areas. MD Skincare’s Water Resistant Sunscreen with Vitamin C SPF 30 absorbs quickly and leaves no residue. In addition, it’s paba-free and non-irritating, making it perfect for daily use for those with normal, sensitive or problem skin.

For on-the-go sun protection, MD Skincare Powerful Sun Protection SPF 30 Packettes are an extremely convenient, no-mess solution. The towelettes, which can be kept in a purse, car, diaper bag, wallet or anywhere you’d need to use sunscreen, protect against UVA and UVB rays and contain antioxidants to protect against damage from free radicals.

Once age spots have appeared, all hope is not lost; there are ways to lighten or eliminate them. However, there are many other more serious skin conditions that often can be mistaken for these innocent blemishes. For this reason, it is extremely important to consult with a dermatologist before embarking on any skin lightening regiment so that he or she can confirm that the spots you are trying to fade are not an indicator of a more critical situation.

Dr. Gross cautions: “Immediately alert your doctor of any spot that suddenly grows, especially if it changes in size, color or shape.” He also states that a good rule of thumb is to watch for the A, B, C and D factors: