If you’ve noticed new brown spots or rough patches appearing on your skin as you get older, you’re not alone. These changes are very common and often harmless, but they can sometimes cause concern or affect how you feel about your skin. Two of the most frequent age-related skin conditions are age spots (also known as sunspots or liver spots) and seborrheic keratoses. While they may look similar, they’re actually quite different in what causes them, how they appear, and how they’re treated. Keep reading, and we’ll walk you through what each one is, how they develop, whether they’re harmful, and when it’s a good idea to visit a dermatologist.
What Are Age Spots?
Age spots, sometimes called solar lentigines, are flat, brown, tan, or dark patches that appear on areas of the skin that get a lot of sun, like the face, hands, shoulders, and arms.
They tend to show up after the age of 50 but can appear earlier in people who spend a lot of time outdoors, have used tanning beds, or in adults that sunburn easily. They can range from the size of a freckle to about ½ inch across.
Why Do Age Spots Appear?
Age spots form because of cumulative sun exposure. Ultraviolet (UV) light triggers your skin to produce extra pigment (melanin), and over time this pigment can clump together, creating darker patches. The more time you’ve spent in the sun without protection, the more likely you are to notice them.
Are Age Spots Harmful?
The good news is that age spots are generally benign, which means they’re not cancerous. However, because they’re a sign of sun damage, they do indicate that your skin has been exposed to enough UV light to increase your risk of developing other sun-related skin conditions including skin cancer. Additionally, age spots can sometimes be confused with skin cancer like melanoma, so it’s important to get them checked by a dermatologist.
A dermatologist can typically identify age spots with a simple skin exam. If a spot looks unusual or has features that resemble skin cancer, such as rapid growth, irregular borders, or color changes, you may need additional testing like a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis.
Treatment Options for Age Spots
Since age spots are usually harmless, treatment isn’t medically necessary, but many people choose to lighten or remove them for cosmetic reasons. Some popular options include:
- Prescription or medical-grade creams with ingredients like hydroquinone, tretinoin, or azelaic acid to gradually fade pigmentation.
- Chemical peels or microdermabrasion to exfoliate the surface layers of the skin and even out tone.
- Cryotherapy, which uses a quick burst of liquid nitrogen to destroy the extra pigment. As the skin heals, it appears lighter.
- Light-based or laser therapies that target and break up excess pigment.
Prevention for Age Spots
The most effective way to prevent new age spots and keep existing ones from darkening is consistent sun protection.
- Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher every day (even on cloudy days). Reapply every two hours, or after swimming or sweating.
- Wear wide-brimmed hats, sunglasses, and protective long-sleeved clothing.
- Avoid peak sun hours (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) whenever possible and seek shade when you can.
- Do not use tanning beds.
- Perform regular skin self-exams to detect skin cancer early when it’s the most treatable.
What is Seborrheic Keratosis?
Seborrheic keratoses (often shortened to “SKs”) are common, non-cancerous skin growths that usually appear in middle age or later. Since they surface a little later in life, and have a wart-like look to them, they have often been described as the “barnacles of aging.” Some people only have one, while others may have multiple. They can be small to more than one inch across.
What Do SKs Look Like?
Seborrheic keratoses can range from white to black, but most are tan or brown. The texture is typically waxy or rough, and they often look as though they’re sitting on top of the skin’s surface rather than part of it. They can be itchy or get caught on clothing.
They most commonly appear on the face, chest, back, or head and neck, but can show up almost anywhere on the body, except the palms and soles of the feet.
Why Do SKs Appear?
The exact cause isn’t known, but they’re linked to aging and genetics. They’re not contagious or cancerous. Some people may develop just one or two, while others may have many, often running in families.
Is Seborrheic Keratosis Harmful?
Seborrheic keratoses are benign. They’re not considered dangerous, however, because they can sometimes resemble warts or even melanomas, it’s important to have them checked by a dermatologist if you’re unsure.
Treatment Options for SKs
Dermatologists can usually diagnose SKs with a quick visual exam. If a lesion has irregular features, bleeds, or changes in appearance, your doctor might recommend a biopsy to confirm it’s really an SK, or whether it’s skin cancer.
Treatment of SKs are considered if they:
- Get irritated or catches on clothing
- Bleed or become itchy
- Causes cosmetic concern
Common treatments include:
- Cryotherapy – freezing with liquid nitrogen
- Curettage or shaving – gently scraping off the growth
- Electrocautery – burning the lesion with a safe electric current
Prevention for Seborrheic Keratosis
There aren’t many ways to prevent seborrheic keratosis, since it’s so closely related to genetics and aging skin. However, regular skin checks with your dermatologist can help you monitor any new growths or changes in your skin to keep your skin healthy.
Here’s the Main Takeaway
Both age spots and SKs are very common, and thankfully generally harmless, but it’s always wise to have new or changing spots checked with a dermatologist to rule out anything more serious.
You should schedule an appointment with a dermatologist if you notice:
- A new or changing dark spot
- A spot that itches, bleeds, or scabs
- Growths that appear suddenly or rapidly increase in size
- Many spots or rough patches that make it difficult to monitor your skin at home
- Cosmetic concerns you’d like to address with professional treatments
If you have questions or concerns about an unusual spot or bump, contact Florida Dermatology and Skin Cancer Centers today to schedule an appointment at one of our convenient locations.
About Us
FLDSCC’s team of providers are experts in diagnosing and treating skin cancers; skin conditions and diseases such as eczema, rosacea, dry skin, rashes, and warts; and chronic skin diseases and infections, while simultaneously tackling aging skin, wound care, and a multitude of other skin, hair, and nail concerns.
Several FLDSCC providers are fellowship-trained in Mohs micrographic surgery, an effective state-of-the-art treatment for most types of skin cancers. Mohs surgery involves minimal discomfort and encourages the greatest preservation of healthy tissue, which means less risk of scarring and superior cosmetic results.
FLDSCC has many convenient locations throughout the state. For more information, visit www.fldscc.com, or call (855) FLD-SKIN.
