Don't Be Fooled
Shedding the Light on Age Spots
Age spots, also known as sun spots or liver spots, can tarnish the cutest of complexions. And, while sexy starlets like Laura Flynn Boyle and Jenny McCarthy can make these dark patches sprinkled across their skin look sexy, not all of us are lucky. So, before you are mistaken for someone twice your age, start shedding the light age spots by reading on.
What are Age Spots?
Despite their name, age spots have nothing to do with how old you are. Known as lentigines on the medical circuit, the brownish spots can appear on your face and body, mainly due to overexposure to the sun as your body tries its darnedest to fend off UV rays that can damage your glowing skin. And, while the melanin pigment within your skin is responsible for absorbing sunlight, over time, repeat exposure to UV rays damages your skin and lowers your ability to produce melanin pigment. Combined with your skin’s waning ability to protect your bod from the sun as you age, your chances of developing signs of sun damage eventually rise. This is why your once youthful look is suddenly blemished by age spots, sun spots and liver spots.
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Does Tanning Cause Age Spots?
While you may hold the perfect tan as your standard for beauty, the truth is that the golden glow is just a sign of unhealthy skin. A tan is simply your body’s way of sending up the red flag that your skin has been damaged. As your skin attempts to guard your bod against further damage, whether the UVA and UVB light is coming from the sun or a tanning bed, age spots develop when the damage in one spot is more concentrated than another. Your skin tone can also affect your chances of sporting age spots, also recognized in the form of freckles.
Health Effects of Sun Damage
Whether you scope out a new age spot or are speckled with freckles, the telltale brown spots are signs that UV rays have damaged the melanocytes – the cells in the skin’s surface layer. Any time you notice a change in your skin, whether it is an age spot, pigmented lesion or any elevated spot on your skin, it’s important not to assume that it’s harmless. See a dermatologist when you notice any changes in color or shape to your cute complexion to determine if they are cancerous or of any concern. Your physician may perform a biopsy to determine the lesion’s condition.
Age spots, also dubbed liver spots, brown spots and sun spots, can have you looking years beyond your age. And, while you can do your best to prevent these glamor-less dark marks from forming, the good news is that you can also turn back the clock on those sneaky spots that have already through a variety of cosmetic procedures. Talk to your doctor about laser treatments or IPL PhotoFacials for removing these pesky spots.
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