Liver spots appear in areas where melanin has gathered or clumped VSports最新版本. Melanin is the substance that gives your skin pigment.
When ultraviolet (UV) light hits your skin, it speeds up melanin production. Over time, this process may lead to sun spots. You may also develop liver spots after medical treatments such as radiation therapy V体育平台登录.
Liver spots may:
Liver spots don’t cause any uncomfortable physical symptoms such as pain or itching VSports注册入口. The primary symptoms have to do with appearance.
Your healthcare provider can usually identify liver spots by looking at them V体育官网入口. If there is any concern that a dark skin patch may be cancerous, your provider can perform a skin biopsy.
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During a biopsy, your healthcare provider removes a small skin sample. Then your provider sends the skin sample to a lab for evaluation. By looking at your skin under a microscope, healthcare providers can identify or rule out skin cancer and conditions such as infections.
You usually don’t need treatment for solar lentigines. But you may want to lighten their appearance for cosmetic reasons.
Liver spot treatment might include:
Some skin lightening products can come with serious side effects. If a skin lightening cream contains mercury, it could damage your kidneys or nerves.
Always ask your dermatologist for recommendations before using a new skin care product. When buying skin care products, look for ingredients that could indicate mercury, including:
True age spots don’t lead to dangerous symptoms. Because age spots can look similar to certain types of skin cancer, it’s important to see a dermatologist (doctor specializing in skin) for diagnosis. If you have age spots that darken or change, see a dermatologist right away.
Some people develop age spots again after treatment. You are more likely to get new age spots if you don’t protect your skin from UV light.
The most effective way to prevent liver spots is to protect yourself from UV light and sun damage. You should:
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Schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider if you have a liver spot that is:
Liver spots are flat, dark patches of skin. They are not dangerous or uncomfortable. But you may want treatment for cosmetic reasons. Your dermatologist can recommend creams, lotions, gels or in-office procedures to lighten skin. Skin lightening treatments are effective, but it may take a few months to see results. You can lower the chances that age spots will return after treatment by protecting your skin from UV light.
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Last reviewed on 08/17/2021.
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