Age spot
Evenly light brown, sharp and regular edge, stays the same for years.
Other
Medically reviewed by Dr. A.M. van Coevorden, dermatologist, on
± 5 min read
Age spotsLight brown spots from sun damage
Age spots (solar lentigines) are evenly light brown, sharply defined spots on skin that has had a lot of sun: the face, the backs of the hands and the forearms. They are benign and do not turn into skin cancer, but they sometimes resemble spots that do need attention.
Reply within 12 to 48 hours · no referral needed · from € 39
- What are age spots?
- What causes age spots: is it the sun?
- What do age spots look like?
- Age spot or lentigo maligna: when is a spot suspicious?
- How does the dermatologist make the diagnosis?
- Age spot removal: what helps?
- Do age spots go away on their own?
- Preventing age spots: what you can do yourself
- When to see a dermatologist or GP?
- Frequently asked questions about age spots
What are age spots?
Age spots are benign pigmented spots that develop on skin that has been exposed to sunlight for years. Doctors call them solar lentigines or lentigo senilis. They are also known as sun spots or liver spots, although they have nothing to do with the liver.
They are very common. About eight in ten people over 65 have one or more age spots. People with fair skin who have spent a lot of time outdoors get them most often and earliest.
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Age spots are not contagious and do not turn into skin cancer. They are, however, a sign that your skin has had a lot of sun.
What causes age spots: is it the sun?
Yes. Age spots are caused by the damaging effect of sunlight over many years. In those places the pigment cells increase in number and produce more pigment. The name age spot is therefore not really accurate: it is about sun damage, not age as such.
Risk factors:
- Years of sun exposure, even without burning.
- Fair skin that burns easily.
- Working or exercising outdoors a lot, sunbed use.
What do age spots look like?
An age spot is a flat, evenly light brown to brown spot with a sharp, regular edge. They range from a few millimetres to a few centimetres and appear on the face, the backs of the hands, the forearms and sometimes the lower legs and shoulders.
- Flat: you cannot feel the spot.
- Evenly light brown to brown, with no black parts.
- Sharply and regularly defined, round or oval.
- Often several spots on the same sun-damaged skin.
- No itching, pain or other symptoms.
Age spots on the face and hands are the most noticeable. They do not disappear by themselves and often darken in summer.
Age spot or lentigo maligna: when is a spot suspicious?
An ordinary age spot is evenly light brown and regular in shape. Lentigo maligna is a superficial form of skin cancer that develops on the face of older people and initially looks like an age spot. The difference lies in the colour and the shape.
Lentigo maligna
Several shades of brown, black or grey mixed together, irregular and jagged edge, slowly enlarges over the years.
Seborrheic keratosis
Raised and palpable, warty or greasy surface, looks stuck onto the skin. Benign.
Read more about seborrheic keratosis, moles and melanoma, which can also resemble an age spot.
Please note
Is a brown spot on your face slowly getting bigger, developing different colours or an irregular edge? Have it assessed by a dermatologist.
How does the dermatologist make the diagnosis?
The dermatologist usually recognises an age spot by its appearance, with a dermatoscope if needed. If there is doubt about a mole, lentigo maligna or a melanoma, a small piece of skin is removed for examination.
With 247dermatologist you upload photos of the spot and answer a few questions. A registered dermatologist assesses within 12 to 48 hours whether the picture fits an age spot or whether further investigation is needed.
Age spot removal: what helps?
Treatment is not medically necessary. If you want to lighten or remove age spots for cosmetic reasons, there are several options.
Sun protection
The basis of every approach. Without daily protection the spots come back and new ones appear.
Prescription creams
A cream containing tretinoin or azelaic acid can gradually lighten the spots. A dermatologist can prescribe this and explains how to use it.
Freezing
Cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen lightens the spot. There is a small risk of a white or dark mark or a scar.
Laser
Pigment lasers or IPL break down the pigment. This is done in a clinic, not online.
Not sure whether a spot really is an age spot? Have it assessed first before you book a laser or peel treatment.
Do age spots go away on their own?
No. Age spots do not disappear by themselves. They remain benign and do not turn into skin cancer. The outlook is therefore good. Sun protection prevents them from darkening and stops new ones from appearing.
Preventing age spots: what you can do yourself
- Apply a high-factor sunscreen to your face and hands every day, even on cloudy days.
- Avoid the strong midday sun and wear a hat and protective clothing.
- Do not use sunbeds.
- Check your skin regularly: look for spots that grow, change colour or develop an irregular edge.
- Do not use aggressive bleaching products without advice from a doctor.
When to see a dermatologist or GP?
Have a spot assessed if:
- A spot slowly gets bigger, develops several colours or an irregular edge.
- A spot is dark brown or black, or has a black part.
- A spot starts to itch, bleed or becomes palpably thicker.
- You want to be sure a spot is benign before having it treated.
A dermatologist at 247dermatologist assesses your photos and tells you whether the picture fits an age spot. No referral needed.
Frequently asked questions about age spots
Not sure whether this needs a look? Have a dermatologist assess it: you get an answer within 12 to 48 hours, no referral needed. In an emergency, contact your GP straight away or call 112.
Are age spots dangerous?
No. Age spots are benign and do not turn into skin cancer. However, lentigo maligna and melanoma can look like them. If in doubt, have the spot assessed.
What is the difference between age spots and liver spots?
They are the same thing. Liver spot is an old folk name for an age spot. The spots have nothing to do with the liver.
Can I remove age spots myself?
Over-the-counter creams lighten the spots only slightly at best. For a real result you need prescription creams, freezing or laser. Always have a spot assessed first.
Do you only get age spots when you are old?
No. They are caused by sun damage. Fair-skinned people who spend a lot of time outdoors sometimes get them before the age of forty.
What is the difference between an age spot and a seborrheic keratosis?
An age spot is flat and evenly brown. A seborrheic keratosis is raised, feels rough or greasy and looks stuck onto the skin. Both are benign.
Does sunscreen help against age spots?
Yes. Sunscreen prevents new spots and keeps existing spots lighter. It does not make existing spots disappear.
Have a dermatologist look at your skin
Upload photos and answer a few questions. A BIG-registered dermatologist replies within 12 to 48 hours, no referral needed, from € 39.
If more is needed, the dermatologist refers you to a medical specialist.
Want to know what a dermatologist does, when you can see one and how quickly that can happen? Read more about the dermatologist.
Sources and more information
- Huidziekten.nl, patiëntenfolder Lentigo solaris (ouderdomsvlekken)
- Huidziekten.nl, patiëntenfolder Lentigo maligna
- Huidziekten.nl, zakboek Lentigo senilis / lentigo solaris
- Huidinfo.nl, Lentigo
Source: huidziekten.nl (dermatology patient leaflets) and Huidinfo.nl.
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