What do age spots look like

Some changes in your skin come with age, such as the unpopular age spots also known as sun spots or liver spots. These have nothing to do with the liver and are caused instead by long-term sun exposure.

Some of these dark spots, however, may look suspiciously like melanoma , the most deadly form of skin cancer. If you're not a dermatologist, you might be staring at the new brown mark on your skin and wondering whether it's merely a cosmetic issue or something worse. As a general rule, if that spot you're staring at is new to you, it's a good idea to check in with your dermatologist, says John Wolf Jr. People who have a personal or family history of skin cancer should go for an exam sooner.

What appear to be new age spots or liver spots could be a good excuse to get this process started. Even if your dermatologist finds no sign of skin cancer , he or she can let you know whether you have skin issues to watch out for. This doesn't just apply to fair-skinned people either: Dark-skinned individuals can also get skin cancer - and sometimes it's harder to see the early signs of it without professional help.

Melanoma in its early stages can resemble lentigines or, sometimes, seborrheic keratoses. If a bump grows on a mole or in a previously flat, discolored spot, see your dermatologist right away to get checked for possible skin cancer. One reason to call your dermatologist immediately is that if melanoma is diagnosed early, "it can be cured with surgery," says Wolf. But once it starts to deepen or spread to other parts of your body, melanoma can be difficult to treat. People who are light-skinned, have family members who have age spots, or who have had frequent suntans or burns are much more likely to develop liver spots.

Because liver spots may resemble other skin conditions, Dr. In most cases, liver spots can be diagnosed with only a visual inspection by your dermatologist, but if there is a concern that your age spot may be another condition, the dermatologist can also perform a skin biopsy to be absolutely certain. If you notice a new lesion on the skin that you suspect is an age spot, they should match the following common characteristics:. It may seem like liver spots will be easy to recognize, but this benign condition can closely resemble other skin conditions, including actinic keratoses , melanoma pigment-related skin cancer , and lentigo maligna a type of melanoma.

The visual similarity to these more serious conditions is why it is so important to have a dermatologist examine your liver spots to ensure the correct diagnosis. Liver spots are not cancerous, and they will not negatively impact skin health in any real way. However, according to Dr. Since liver spots may be a warning sign that patients are at increased risk for skin cancers, Dr.

When it comes to prevention, Dr. Walker recommends taking the following precautions:. Dermatology Partners team is here to help. You can get started working with our skilled dermatologists at any time by filling out our simple online scheduling request form.

Skin cancer is a serious health risk, and while many forms of skin cancer are very no Read More. Lee's Summit, Missouri - U. Melanoma prevention. The American Melanoma Foundation. Dermabrasion for wrinkles. American Society for Dermatologic Surgery. Accessed Oct.

Microdermabrasion for wrinkles. American Academy of Dermatology. Chien AL, et al. Chemical peels: FAQS. Sunscreen: How to protect your skin from the sun.

Food and Drug Administration. Sunscreen FAQs. The American Academy of Dermatology. Hugh JM. Minor dermatologic procedures. Metelitsa A, et al. Laser and light therapy for cutaneous hyperpigmentation. Desmedt B, et al. Overview of skin whitening agents with an insight into the illegal cosmetic market in Europe. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology.

Ortone JP, et al. Treatment of solar lentignines.