Age brings with it a number of health issues, some hidden and some visible. An annoying member of the latter group is the brown spots, at times called age or liver spots, which seem to remind us that age is finally catching up. Its appearance plays on the mind more than it affects the body. And to compound the irritation, it appears more on those parts which we generally expose to the elements and to the visible eye. And with time, they keep growing.
But this process is not totally irreversible. So do not lose hope as help is at hand. A simple ploy and you can get rid of these bothersome spots. So finally you can do more than just mutter, ‘out, damn spot, out, I say!’
Time and place of occurrence
These spots occur frequently on the face, limbs, and shoulders; places generally exposed to the sun. With age, they grow in number and size and seem to announce your age.
A clue to its cause can go a long way in preventing the marks from occurring. Almost everyone loves the outdoors. But it also means exposing yourself to the sun and ultraviolet rays. The tanning bed or sunscreen is no protection from the harmful exposure to the rays. The more the exposure, the quicker the exposed part of your skin darkens with melanin, the pigment that causes the dark tan. The dark spots appear with the passage of time at those same places.
Is it harmful
Sustained exposure to UV rays is certainly harmful. But you have to be observant if some of the spots appear darker or of a different color. Also, watch out for borders surrounding the spots. And also see if there are any marked changes in their growth. See your doctor if any spot turns tender or red. Opt for the ABCDE test of Melanoma to be doubly sure that the spots are benign and just an eyesore.