Age spots are small, flat dark areas on the skin. They vary in size and usually appear on areas exposed to the sun, such as the face, hands, shoulders and arms. Age spots are also called sunspots, liver spots and solar lentigines.
Age spots are very common in adults older than 50, but younger people can get them if they spend time in the sun.
Age spots can look like cancerous growths. True age spots don't need treatment, but they are a sign the skin has received a lot of sun exposure and are an attempt by skin to protect itself from more sun damage. For cosmetic reasons, they can be lightened or removed.
Age spots may affect people of all skin types, but they're more common in adults with light skin. Unlike freckles, which are common in children and fade with no sun exposure, age spots don't fade.
Age spots:
Age spots are caused by overactive pigment cells. Ultraviolet (UV) light speeds up the production of melanin, a natural pigment that gives skin its color. On skin that has had years of sun exposure, age spots appear when melanin becomes clumped or is produced in high concentrations.
To help avoid age spots and new spots after treatment, follow these tips for limiting sun exposure:
Cover up. For protection from the sun, wear tightly woven clothing that covers your arms and legs and a broad-brimmed hat, which provides more protection than does a baseball cap or golf visor.
Consider wearing clothing designed to provide sun protection. Look for clothes labeled with an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) of 40 to 50 to get the best protection.
SEPIA OFFICINALIS Sepia is one the excellent remedies for liver spots. There is yellow-brownish spots on face, especially cheeks , forehead and cheeks and nose . A yellow saddle across the upper part of cheeks and nose. There is dark circle under the eyes. Facial discoloration during pregnancy, after childbirth and menopause.Sepia is suited to persons having dark hair, and rigid fibre.
LYCOPODIUM CLAVATUM Lycopodium is another effective remedy for liver spots with grayish –yellow discoloration of the face, with blue circles around the eyes and on abdomen.Lycopodium patient always suffer from flatulent complaints. The person likes warm food and drinks. There is a special craving for sweets.
ARGENTUM NITRICUM Argentum nitricum is prescribed for liver spots where the face looks sunken , old, pale and bluish. Old man’s look, sickly, sunken grayish of muddy colour. Skin is brown, tense and hard.
CADMIUM SULPH Cadmium sulph is effective for liver spots with yellow stains on nose and cheeks and other areas of skin.The color varies from yellowish to brown. The colour gets worse from exposure to sun and wind.Itching of the face.
COPAIVA OFFICINALIS Copaiva is prescribed for liver spots where brown spots are seen on the face and hands. Presence of circumscribed lenticular patches with itching. Mottled appearance .
CAULOPHYLLUM THALICTROIDES Caulophyllum is prescribed where moth spots on forehead with leucorrhea. Discoloration of skin in women with menstrual and uterine disorders.Skin was hot and dry.
THUJA OCCIDENTALIS Thuja occidentalis is excellent for liver spots where the skin is pale, waxy, shiny, dark under eyes.Nettled with spider like veins.Skin looks diry , dry with brown spots.
PLUMBUM METALLICUM Plumbum met is prescribed for liver spots with yellow , corpse like spots on sunken cheeks.Skin of face is greasy and shiny. Face pale and emaciated.e.t.c