What Are the Brown Spots on the Skin of the Face?
Also known as solar lentigines, age spots, or hyperpigmentosis, are the small brown spots that form on adult faces. These spots are usually harmless and can be faded for cosmetic purposes.DescriptionAge spots are flat and brown, sometimes gray or black. They vary in size from freckle-sized to a few centimeters, and they appear on the face as well as other parts of the body frequently exposed to the sun. Age spots are often grouped together.CausesUltraviolet light from sun exposure causes skin to produce melanin more quickly. Melanin is a dark pigment produced in the deeper layers of the skin to protect it from sun exposure. The age spots that result from this exposure are actually “clumped” bits of melanin. The spots can also be caused by age, genetics and hormones, especially during pregnancy. Contrary to popular belief, age spots do not indicate liver problems.When to see a doctorMost age spots do not require medical treatment, but they should be checked for irregularities. According
