Skip to main content

Page Updated:

Aging is a fact of life that we must simply accept; however, we can combat the signs of aging, such as age spots, with a variety of dermatologic treatments. Paul M. Friedman, M.D. is one of the most highly trained and gifted dermatologists in the country, and he has helped thousands of patients reverse the signs of aging in a healthy, safe, and effective way.

What are Age Spots, Why Do They Occur?

One very common sign of aging is the age spot. Age spots are also known by many as sun spots, liver spots, lentigos, or lentigines. Age spots are flat, tan, brown, or black in color and appear on areas of the skin that have been exposed to sun. As we age, sun spots appear on the backs of our hands, our forearms, our neck, chest, and face. The pigment-producing cells in the skin are activated to produce more pigment by ultraviolet rays. While these spots are not cancerous, patients may be at risk for developing skin cancer if they have age spots.

Our Patients’ Results

bna-sample Before
bna-sample After
bna-sample Before
bna-sample After

*Individual Results May Vary

What Causes Age Spots?

Age spots increase in number as we age and as we are exposed to the sun. People who sun burn easily and who freckle easily are more likely to develop age spots than those who do not burn easily. It is very important that patients realize that if you have had enough sun exposure to develop age spots, your chances of getting skin cancer are higher.

What do age spots look like?

As we mentioned above, they vary greatly in size and shape and color. They can be as small as pea-sized or as large as a dime. Age spots are typically round and have irregular borders. Age spots are most commonly found on the areas of the body that are most often exposed to the sun: shoulders, forearms, upper back, face and the backs of the hands.

Treatments for Age Spots

The best treatment is preventative, avoid sun exposure and wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen. Age spots can be treated with the following:

Laser therapy is a safe and effective treatment for sun damage or wrinkles. Advanced laser technology utilizes laser energy that is selectively absorbed by the pigment in the age spot and does not harm the surrounding skin. This is especially good news when we are treating the face.