Are you also experiencing brown spots on your skin? Let's talk about these 'Age Spots'!

Have you ever looked in the mirror and noticed those little brown spots on the tops of your hands, cheeks, and face? You've probably seen them on your mother, father, or grandparents' skin. Many people get a little scared when they see these spots that appear as they age, thinking, "Oh, is this some kind of disease?" But are they really dangerous? Today, let's talk about these 'age spots' or, as some call them, 'liver spots' that many people have.

What are these Age Spots?

Simply put, these are flat spots on your skin that are darker than normal, usually brown. They can come in all sizes. Some are as small as a dot, while others can be as large as a centimeter.

These spots are often seen on areas of our body that are frequently exposed to the sun . Think of your face, upper arms, neck, around the shoulders, and so on.

The important thing is that even though these are called 'Liver Spots', these spots actually have nothing to do with your liver. As the name suggests, these spots have a brownish color similar to the color of the liver, which is why they have been called that since ancient times. Therefore, it is more medically correct to call them 'Age Spots' or 'Sun Spots'. Doctors call this condition 'Solar Lentigines'.

Who is more likely to develop these spots?

These are usually seen more in people over the age of 50. The likelihood of them occurring increases with age. But that doesn't mean that younger people don't get them. Sometimes, even younger people can get them. You are especially at risk of developing these spots if you have any of the following conditions:

• If you have fair skin: People with fair skin, that is, fair-skinned people, are more likely to develop these spots.
• If you have been severely sunburned in the past: If you went to the beach or played cricket when you were young or young, and your skin turned red and burned until you left, that can also affect it.
• If you are exposed to the sun for a long time: This risk is higher for those who spend a lot of time in the strong sun during the day, whether due to work or other reasons.
• If you use devices to artificially tan your skin: Although these are not very popular in Sri Lanka, the devices called tanning beds that some people use are also a major reason for this.

Why do these spots actually form? What is the cause?

The reason for this is very simple. We all have a natural pigment that gives our skin its color. We call this melanin.You may have seen some people very white, some very tan, and some very black. The difference in these colors is due to the amount of melanin in each person's skin.

When we are exposed to the sun, our body speeds up the production of this melanin to protect our skin. That's why we feel a little darker when we're in the sun.

Now imagine that the same part of our skin is exposed to the sun continuously for many years. What happens is that in those places, the melanin pigment is produced in excess and accumulates in one place, like clumps. That's what we see as these brown spots, or 'age spots'.

In addition, these types of spots can also occur after certain medical treatments, such as radiation therapy for cancer.

What exactly do these spots look like and what are their characteristics?

To help you identify these spots more easily, let's take a look at their main characteristics. I'll put this in a table for your convenience.

How does a doctor recognize this?

Usually, if you go to see a doctor, especially a dermatologist, with a spot like this, he or she will be able to recognize it as an 'age spot' just by looking at it.

However, very rarely, if the doctor has any doubts about the appearance of this mole, that is, if he has the slightest suspicion that "could this be skin cancer?", he may do a small test to confirm it. We call this a 'skin biopsy' .

This involves taking a small piece of skin from the area where the mole is and sending it to a lab. There, they look at it under a microscope to see if it contains anything like cancer cells or another infection. This is nothing to be afraid of, it's just a routine test to rule out any suspicions.

What are the treatments for these spots?

First of all, these spots are not harmful to your health, so they don't necessarily need to be treated. However, many people are concerned about their appearance and resort to treatments to remove these spots. If you want to do the same, there are various treatments for that.

It's best to talk to your dermatologist to decide which treatment method is best for you.

What skin lightening cosmetics should you avoid?

This is very important. Not all skin whitening and freckle removal creams on the market, especially those sold online, are good. Some products can have very dangerous side effects.

Therefore, always consult your dermatologist before using a new skin care product. When buying products, look for these words on the ingredients list. These are signs that they contain mercury:

• Calomel
• Cinnabaris
• Red hydrargyri oxide
• Quicksilver
• Anything containing the words "mercury" or "mercuric".

Are these spots dangerous? Could they be cancerous?

A true 'age spot' is not dangerous at all, and it does not cause cancer.

But the problem here is that some dangerous types of skin cancer (for example, melanoma) can look like these age spots in the early stages. It is difficult for the average person to tell the difference between the two.

That's why, if you notice a new spot on your skin, it's very, very important to show it to a dermatologist to make sure it's a harmless 'age spot.' It 's always best to be safe than sorry.

Will these spots come back after treatment?

Yes, there is a chance that they will come back. Treatments only remove existing spots. But if you don't continue to protect your skin from the sun, there is always a chance that new spots will form. So the most important thing is to prevent these spots from forming.

So how do you prevent these spots from appearing?

Since the main cause of these spots is exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light, the best thing to do is to protect yourself from it. Make these things a habit.

1. Wear sunscreen every day: When going out every day, even on a rainy day, apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 to all exposed areas, such as your face, neck, and hands. Don't forget to reapply every two hours if you're sweating or working in water.

2. Avoid the sun: Whenever possible, minimize direct exposure to the sun between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., when the sun's rays are strongest.

3. Wear protective clothing: When going out in the sun, wear a large hat, long-sleeved clothing, and pants to cover as much skin as possible.

When is it best to see a doctor?

Although age spots are not dangerous, it is important to be aware of some changes that could be signs of skin cancer.

• If the spot is bleeding .
• If the color of the mole changes , especially if it becomes black .
• If the edge around the spot becomes irregular (losing its round shape and spreading out to one side).
• If the spot is getting bigger quickly .

A change like this doesn't necessarily mean it's cancer, but it's extremely important to get it checked for your safety.