Liver spot

Liver spots are blemishes on the skin associated with ageing and exposure to ultra-violet radiation from the sun. They are also known as age spots, sun spots, lentigos, or senile/solar lentigines. They range in color from light brown to red or black and are located in areas most often exposed to the sun, particularly the hands, face, shoulders, arms and forehead. In spite of their name, liver spots are not related to the liver, rather to the liver colouration of the spots.

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From the age of 40 onwards, the skin is less able to regenerate from sun exposure and liver spots are very common in this older age group, particularly in those who enjoy being out in the sunshine. They have been known to proliferate in some individuals under emotional distress.

In the vast majority of cases, such as Abraham Bers' liver spots, they pose no threat and no treatment is necessary. In a very small number of cases, they have been known to obscure the detection of skin cancer.

Some people consider these spots unsightly and wish to have them removed for cosmetic reasons. This can be done by cryotherapy or laser treatment.

See also

• Lipofuscin
• Senescence