Age Spots

Age spots are caused by an increased number of pigment-producing cells in the skin. They are thought to occur in response to long-term sun damage and are associated with aging of the skin. They are not harmful and do not represent skin cancer.

Age spots are flat, brown areas of skin that can be up to an inch across. They do not itch or cause any pain.

The skin tends to get thinner with age. This causes older people to have pale, translucent skin. The number of pigment, or color-containing, cells decreases. The color-containing cells that are left tend to get bigger and group together as age spots. Chronic sun damage speeds up the development of these spots.

Long-term sun protection, including the use of appropriate sunscreen products, can help prevent age spots.

A healthcare professional can diagnose age spots by examining the person's skin.

Age spots cause no long-term effects.

Age spots are not contagious and cause no risk to others.

Age spots are not generally treated, unless the individual requests treatment for cosmetic reasons. Treatments to remove age spots include the following:

• application of a small amount of acid
• cryotherapy, which uses the cold from liquid nitrogen to remove the spot
• laser surgery
• bleaching cream, which is generally used over a period of several months

Sometimes scarring or excessive pigment loss occurs as a complication of treatment.

Methods of treatment that destroy the outer layer of skin create blisters and a fine peeling of the pigmented skin tissue. After recovery, an individual can return to normal activities.

Any significant change in a skin lesion should be reported to a healthcare professional. If there is any suspicion that the lesion may represent cancer rather than an age spot, a skin biopsy can be done.