LIVER SPOTS

Liver spots are the brown to black stains occurring on the skin. This is usually due to the exposure of the skin to ultraviolet rays from the sun. Long back it was thought that liver spots are due to the liver problems.

But now it is confirmed that it has no connection with the liver and its function.  Hands, arms, shoulders, face and forehead are the common areas affected by the liver spots.  Liver spots are very common in the patients over the age of 40.  Liver spots are not harmful patches.  It is due to the increased pigmentation and it ranges from the small size to the few inches.  Liver spots do not cause any medical problems.  But patients do not like the appearance of the spatches or spots on the skin.

Senile or solar lentigines, sun spots, skin spots and age spots are some of the names which denote liver spots.  Liver spots do not need any treatment.  Liver spots are not dangerous but it may look like skin cancer.  Liver spots can be treated by laser, chemicals and also by natural means.  The epidermal layer of the skin produces large pigments.  Sometimes liver spots may also occur in childhood. Hereditary predisposition is also done by many people. They are common among the people who have spent too much time in the sun.  Using cosmetics these liver spots can be lightened.  Darkening of the spots can be reduced by avoiding the sun.  Infections must be avoided at the place of spots.