Liver spot

Age spots ( lentigines Latin senile, solar lentigines ) are pigmentary disorders of the skin. They are caused by the increased incidence of chronic exposure to ultraviolet radiation, such as sunlight. This leads to local, sharply defined light brown spot formations ( " maculae " ) with proliferation of melanin -producing melanocytes, mainly in the back of the hands, forearms and face skin. When the patch is specific to clusters of brownish waxy pigment lipofuscin (also age or wear and tear pigment), which is the end product of the oxidation of unsaturated fatty acids of cell membranes. The lysosomes are no longer able to completely eliminate the substance. He remains as a stain.

The phenomenon is related to the freckles (Latin Ephelides ). At freckles However, it is not a reproduction of the melanocytes. Age spots can be removed best by medical laser therapy or treatment with fruit, vitamin A acid or Rucinolhaltigen preparations, see also ( " skin whitening "). A subsequent consistent UV protection prevents the re-occurrence. Age spots are benign. However, since a sub-form of malignant melanoma are ( lentigo maligna - melanoma ), which has distinct similarities and evolved from a lentigo maligna, medical / dermatological assessment of age spots is recommended.

To prevent age spots a consistent daily application of sunscreens with a high SPF is recommended. In case of keratosis Dermatologists recommend the use of creams containing diclofenac sodium gel as an active ingredient.