Introduction:
Liver spots are also termed solar lentigines, age spots, and sunspots. These are small, flat, dark areas observed on the skin. They can vary in size and are frequently seen in areas exposed to the sun, like the face, hands, shoulders, and arms. These can be diagnosed by having a look at them clinically. The treatment is mainly not required, but if these turn severe, corticosteroids can be given, or other therapies like dermabrasion, cryotherapy, etc can be performed.
What Are Liver Spots (Solar Lentiginosis)?
Liver spots (solar lentiginosis) are a dermatological condition that is mostly observed in white people who are above the age of 40. In this condition, pale brown to dark brown spots on the skin called solar lentigines, liver spots, or age spots are seen. Age spots are flat, generally oval skin areas with increased pigmentation. Or they are darker than the surrounding skin. They might appear brown, black, or gray.
They are mostly seen on parts of the body that regularly receive sun exposure, including the face, hands, arms, tops of the feet, shoulders, and upper back.
What Causes Liver Spots on the Skin?
Liver spots mostly appear in areas where melanin has gathered or accumulated. Melanin is the substance that provides pigmentation to the skin. When ultraviolet (UV) light falls on the skin, it speeds up the production of melanin. Over time, this process might cause sunspots. These liver spots can also be developed after medical treatments like radiation therapy.
What Do Liver Spots Look Like?
The appearance of a liver spot is a flat, well-circumscribed patch. It can be either round, oval, or irregular in shape. The color of a liver spot can vary from skin-colored tan to dark brown or black, and its size can vary from a few millimeters to several inches in diameter. These can be scaly up to some extent.
Liver spots are seen as groups of similar lesions on sun-exposed sites, specifically the face or the back of the hands. They occur in light and dark skin, but fair-skinned individuals are more susceptible to getting them.
How Are Liver Spots Diagnosed?
Liver spots are diagnosed frequently based on their clinical appearance. Occasionally, it can be difficult to differentiate an irregular solar lentigo from melanoma, a potentially dangerous kind of skin cancer, and the term atypical solar lentigo might be used. Examining with the help of dermatoscopy can make the diagnosis clear. If there is still diagnostic suspicion, a skin biopsy can be performed for histological examination.
How Are Liver Spots Treated?
Frequently, no treatment is required to treat liver spots. But if a person wants to lighten their appearance for cosmetic reasons, the treatment might include:
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Topical Treatment: The use of over-the-counter or prescription creams, lotions, or gels to lighten the skin is suggested. Some of the frequently incorporated options include hydroquinone, corticosteroids, and more.
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Chemical Peels: This treatment uses a chemical solution to safely extract the outer layer of the skin. The dermatologist might advise for chemical peels, microdermabrasion, or cryotherapy for maximum results.
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Cryotherapy: In this process, the dermatologist freezes age spots to destroy the melanin-forming cells. Cryotherapy works fast, but it might be uncomfortable for the patient.
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Dermabrasion: The dermatologist uses an exfoliating agent like a device or scrubs to smooth age spots away. Dermabrasion takes a long time to give results, but it works. In a study, it was found that for two in five patients who had the treatment twice a week for 16 weeks, sun spots disappeared.
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Laser Resurfacing: Lasers can damage melanin-forming cells or safely remove the top layer of the skin. Many people require only one or two laser therapy sessions to get free from the dark spots.
What Are the Changes Observed Within Liver Spots?
Seborrhoeic keratoses might be seen within solar lentigines. This results in localized thickening and change in texture within the lentigo. Solar lentigines might turn inflamed when they are called lichenoid keratoses or lichen-planus-like keratosis (because of the pattern of inflammation seen in histopathology). Lichenoid keratosis disappears with time.
How Are Liver Spots Prevented?
As it is always said, prevention is much better than cure! One should protect the skin from the sun by taking the following measures:
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Cover the skin with cotton clothing or wear hats, long-sleeved shirts, long skirts, or pants.
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Try to avoid the sun at midday, when sunlight is at its peak.
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Make use of sunglasses to protect the eyes.
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One should refrain from making use of tanning beds under any circumstances.
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Use high-quality broad-spectrum sunscreens that have an SPF (sun protection factor) rating of at least 30. Apply sunscreen at least 30 minutes before going out in the sun. Reapply it frequently. One should make use of sunscreen on cloudy days and in the winter as well.
Conclusion:
Age spots, also called solar lentigines, are light brown to black pigmented lesions of various sizes that are frequently developed in the areas of sun-exposed skin. White-skinned people are more susceptible to these spots. It is well known that age spots are related to chronic sun exposure and are linked with photodamage and an increased risk for skin cancer; however, the mechanisms underlying their development remain poorly understood. The diagnosis of liver spots can be done on the basis of their appearance. Treatment is not required as they are not harmful to the skin. A dermatologist can advise certain creams, lotions, gels, or in-office ways to lighten the skin. Skin-lightening therapies are effective, but it might take a few months to obtain the desired results.
It is always better to prevent such spots. These occur only due to excessive exposure to the sun. Therefore, one must use protective cotton covering while going in the sun, avoid maximum heat in the daytime, wear sunglasses, and use sunscreen frequently with a sun protection factor of more than 30.
