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Liver spots

What are they?

Liver spots – or age spots – are small, flat dark areas on the skin. They vary in size and usually appear on areas exposed to the sun, such as the face, hands, shoulders and arms.

What do they look like?

They’re flat, oval areas of increased pigmentation, usually tan colour to dark brown. They occur on skin that’s had the most sun exposure over the years. Their size ranges from a freckle to about 1/2in (13mm).

What causes them?

Age spots are caused by overactive pigment cells. Ultraviolet (UV) light speeds up the production of melanin, a natural pigment that gives skin its colour.

What’s the treatment?

„ Medications Applying prescription bleaching creams (hydroquinone) alone or with retinoids (tretinoin) and a mild steroid might gradually fade the spots over time.

„ Laser and intense pulsed light These therapies destroy melaninproducing cells without damaging the skin’s surface. These approaches typically require two to three sessions.

„ Freezing This procedure applies liquid nitrogen to the spot for five seconds or less. This destroys the extra pigment.

„ Dermabrasion It sands down the surface layer of skin and new skin grows in its place. It may take several months for pinkness to fade.

„ Microdermabrasion It’s a less aggressive approach than dermabrasion. It leaves mild skin blemishes with a smoother appearance. You’ll need a series of procedures over months to get modest, temporary results.

„ Chemical peel This method uses a chemical solution to remove the top layers of skin. New, smoother skin grows to take its place. You might need several treatments to see any results.

After treatment, when outdoors, you’ll need to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 and wear protective clothing otherwise you’ll burn.