Dealing with those little dark spots on your skin that seem to pop up as you get older? You’re not alone! These are commonly known as age spots, though you might also hear them called “liver spots” or “solar lentigines.” They typically show up as flat, brown, gray, or even black marks, most often on parts of your body that get a lot of sun exposure. While they’re most frequently seen in adults over the age of 50, even younger folks can get them if they spend a lot of time soaking up the sun’s rays.
What Causes Age Spots?
The root cause of age spots is an excess production of melanin, which is the natural pigment that gives your skin, hair, and eyes their color. Think of melanin as your body’s natural sunblock. When your skin is exposed to the sun for long periods, it produces more melanin to protect itself, and sometimes this process can go a bit overboard, leading to these concentrated spots. Several factors contribute to their development, including:
