Over the years I have developed 20-30 small black spots on my skin. I
think they are called liver spots. I would like to know what causes
them but I am even more interested in how to get rid of them. Can you
tell me whether there is some bleaching solution I could use or if
they could be removed by lasers at a dermatologist's office?

Hello Kitlandis,

    When I was in school, I was taught that ?liver spots? are actually
a misspelling of ?Livor spots?, -- livor meaning ?colored, or
discolored?. People erroneously thought the spots came from the liver,
but in actuality, they come primarily from sun damage.


?Liver spots are flat brown-black spots that usually occur in
sun-exposed areas of the body. They are also called age spots. They
are unrelated to the liver or liver function.?

?Liver spots are changes in skin color associated with older skin. The
increased pigmentation may be brought on by aging, exposure to sun or
other forms of ultraviolet light, or other unknown causes.

Liver spots are extremely common after the age of 40. They occur most
often on the backs of the hands, on the forearms, shoulder, face, and
forehead, areas of highest sun exposure.
They are harmless and painless, but they may affect the cosmetic
appearance. Occasionally, liver spots may obscure the diagnosis of
skin cancers.?
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001141.htm


How Are Liver Spots Treated?
?Treatment of liver spots is usually performed by the dermatologic
surgeon in the office or other outpatient facility. Results can be
permanent if a sunscreen is used continuously after removal.

Following are common treatment approaches:

Sunscreens
The simplest treatment to protect the skin from further damage and
worsening of the spots is use of a sunscreen. Sunscreen is also
important after other treatment methods so the spots will not recur.

Bleaching Creams, Tretinoin, and Alpha-hydroxy Acids
These are topical applications prescribed by the physician to fade
small spots. Treatment normally takes anywhere from two months to a
year or longer.
Cryosurgery
The dermatologic surgeon freezes the skin tissue with liquid nitrogen
to remove liver spots and skin growths.

Peeling
A chemical solution is applied to peel away the blemished skin. The
face and hands usually heal in one to two weeks.

Dermabrasion
The skin is sanded lightly with a special instrument to remove the
spot. Upon healing, which normally takes a week or so, the liver spot
is gone. View the Dermabrasion fact sheet for more information.

Laser Surgery
New techniques with various lasers are used to remove the spots. A
beam of laser light is directed at the liver spots to selectively
eliminate the damaged skin.


Cryosurgery can be used to remove the spots
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002322.htm

Photoderm laser
http://www.drkovaklaser.com/171fba8d-ef8f-480a-bac7-03daacb513b8.cms



?Bleaching Creams
? What are they? 
Over-the-counter creams contain 2 percent hydroquinone, a bleaching
agent. Prescription creams may use single agents, such as Retin-A
(tretinoin) or combinations of medications such as hydroquinone with
tretinoin plus a cortisone cream.
? What are the risks? 
Over the counter bleaching creams are usually well tolerated and may
gradually lighten age spots over a couple of months. However, they are
not very effective. Prescription formulations are often more effective
but may have more side effects (such as redness, drying, and peeling)
and are expensive. Creams may not work for everyone and the risks and
benefits need to be discussed with your physician.?
http://dermanetwork.org/faq/faq_age_spots.asp


Anecdotally, I, being fair skinned, have had good luck with Porcelana!
About $7 dollars a jar, it is the slow, but inexpensive way. It took
almost 6 months for mine to disappear, but they did! Hydroquinone  is
the active ingredient, usually about 2% in over the counter products.
Your dermatologist can write a prescription for a stronger product,
but you may experience dry skin and redness.  I am also religious
about applying sunscreen before I leave the house, summer and winter.

Before you try any product however, please visit a good dermatologist
to have the spots evaluated. The dermatologist can determine if your
spots may be pre-cancerous (or, hopefully not), and recommend the best
treatment for your particular skin.

While liver spots can be black, they are usually brown in color.
http://www.martinpletscher.ch/bilder/kosmetik/Lentigo.JPG

http://www.cmsp.com/cmspweb/datav1/im070009.htm

http://www.skinandhealth.com/details/freckles_before_after



I hope this has helped you! Please request an Answer Clarification,
before rating, if any part is unclear.

Sincerely, Crabcakes




Search Terms
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Solar lentigo 
Liver spots