Sun spots, or Solar Lentigo as they is properly known, are induced by sun exposure. They are also known as liver spots because people in the past thought that they are a symptom of a liver disease. Sun spots are in reality benign in nature, but since they can make the skin look uneven, some people undergo cosmetic treatment to make them fade away.
Sun spots are more abundant in fair-skinned people than in dark-skinned ones. Although they are common among older people, they can sometimes appear on the skin of young adults, especially those who are constantly under the sun. Sun spots may appear as brown or red patches, or even darker. They are formed in areas that are usually bare like the face, the arms, and the hands.
Melanin production plays a major role in the formation of age spots, another term for sun spots. In fact, sun spots are a concentration of excess melanin in the skin. As a means of protection from the sun's UV rays, the skin would increase its production of melanin, which is characterized by the darkening of the skin due to sunburn. Sometimes, even when the sunburn has already healed, some portions of the skin, often in patches, will remain dark. Those dark patches are what we call sun spots.
Most people believe that sun spots are early signs of skin cancer although there is little or no evidence at all to prove that. However, proper diagnosis of the condition should be done as there have been reports of melanoma, a dangerous form of skin cancer, being mistaken for harmless sun spots. Sun spots may not be a sign of skin cancer but they indicate that the skin has received damaged and can be at a higher risk for skin cancer.
To prevent sun spots and other forms of sun damage, patients are advised to minimize their sun exposure. Most people do not realize that a minor sunburn is already a form of sun damage, and when left untreated may be contributing to more serious skin conditions. Wearing sunscreen and long sleeved shirt when working or playing outdoors are other excellent ways to avoid sun spots.
Sun spots usually form slowly and may only become prominent in the later years of a person's life, although sometimes, they can appear instantly as a result of sunburn. There are several ways to treat sun spots, with the most effective procedures quite expensive for most people. To avoid the trouble of having to go through cosmetic surgery, it would be best to learn more about the said condition.
Sun spots are more abundant in fair-skinned people than in dark-skinned ones. Although they are common among older people, they can sometimes appear on the skin of young adults, especially those who are constantly under the sun. Sun spots may appear as brown or red patches, or even darker. They are formed in areas that are usually bare like the face, the arms, and the hands.
Melanin production plays a major role in the formation of age spots, another term for sun spots. In fact, sun spots are a concentration of excess melanin in the skin. As a means of protection from the sun's UV rays, the skin would increase its production of melanin, which is characterized by the darkening of the skin due to sunburn. Sometimes, even when the sunburn has already healed, some portions of the skin, often in patches, will remain dark. Those dark patches are what we call sun spots.
Most people believe that sun spots are early signs of skin cancer although there is little or no evidence at all to prove that. However, proper diagnosis of the condition should be done as there have been reports of melanoma, a dangerous form of skin cancer, being mistaken for harmless sun spots. Sun spots may not be a sign of skin cancer but they indicate that the skin has received damaged and can be at a higher risk for skin cancer.
To prevent sun spots and other forms of sun damage, patients are advised to minimize their sun exposure. Most people do not realize that a minor sunburn is already a form of sun damage, and when left untreated may be contributing to more serious skin conditions. Wearing sunscreen and long sleeved shirt when working or playing outdoors are other excellent ways to avoid sun spots.
Sun spots usually form slowly and may only become prominent in the later years of a person's life, although sometimes, they can appear instantly as a result of sunburn. There are several ways to treat sun spots, with the most effective procedures quite expensive for most people. To avoid the trouble of having to go through cosmetic surgery, it would be best to learn more about the said condition.
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