Зміст
Despite their name, liver spots are not directly related to liver function. Liver spots, also known as pigment spots or age spots, form as a result of abnormal processes associated with the transformation of pigments in the skin and/or long-term exposure to solar radiation. In this article, you will learn what liver spots on the skin are and whether they can be removed.
Liver spots – what are they and what do they look like?
The name of liver spots comes from their color – that is, a color reminiscent of liver tissue, dark brown, even brown. Liver spots, also known as age spots, age spots or lenticular spots, are small pigmented lesions scattered across the skin. They are regular, round, or oval, dark brown or brown and usually grow slowly. If the changes grow quickly, have an irregular shape and/or are very dark, black, you should immediately contact a specialist, as these may not be pigment spots, but symptoms, for example, of melanoma.
Liver spots – causes
Liver spots are typically not harmful to health. It is rather a kind of cosmetic defect that most often occurs as a result of excessive exposure to solar radiation. However, this is not a quick process, and we only learn about excessive sun exposure after age 40 or even later. This is why liver spots are sometimes called age spots, as they appear on the skin over the years as a result of excessive sun exposure over the years. They occur not only as a result of prolonged exposure to solar radiation, but also, for example, as a result of insufficient and infrequent use of sunscreen, applying too thin a layer of cream or not reapplying cream after several hours of wear. Using certain herbs or medications may also contribute to the later development of age spots. Especially it concerns:
- Diuretic drugs and herbs, for example, nettle, birch, dandelion, horsetail, goldenrod,
- diabetes medications,
- Blood pressure medications
- Antibiotics,
- contraceptives,
In addition, the risk of age spots increases in people with fair skin and in pregnant women (this is due to the effect of hormones). Liver spots usually do not develop during pregnancy, but may appear sometime after pregnancy, especially if the expectant mother was overheated in the sun before giving birth.
Liver spots on the face and body
Liver spots most often appear on the hands, especially on the outside. This is an area where we rarely apply sunscreen, and at the same time it is very exposed to solar radiation. We also typically encounter liver spots on:
- face, neck,
- neckline and shoulders,
- back,
- Less commonly on the buttocks and lower extremities.
As you can see, the places we are most exposed to the sun are also the places where liver spots appear. There are typically fewer of them on the body than around the face and hands.
Spots on the liver after drinking alcohol
Some people believe that excessive alcohol consumption can cause liver spots. However, this is a false belief. Age spots are associated with pigmentation disorders due to sun exposure. Some people may confuse these abnormalities with pigmentation changes associated with liver disease, such as cirrhosis. Liver cirrhosis can develop as a result of alcohol abuse. At the same time, it can lead to the formation of dark, diffuse spots on the skin.
Liver spots in a child
Liver spots are most often characteristic of older people, so you almost never see them in children. If we suspect age spots in a child, they can easily be confused with other skin pigmentation disorders. Every time, a specialist should dispel our doubts about this.
Home Remedies for Liver Spots
Home remedies for age spots are very mild, but it is certainly worth starting home therapy before deciding on more invasive treatments. The best home solutions for bleaching are:
- Lemon juice,
- ginger “ointment” with honey and lemon,
- aloe gel,
- Lemon and ginger mask,
- onion juice,
- cream” from vitamin C capsules.
Liver spots – how to remove?
Among the methods for removing or eliminating age spots are the following:
- Acid and medical peelings,
- Laser therapy
- phototherapy,
- cryotherapy,
Creams and cosmetics for liver spots are also popular, and they are usually designed to lighten the spots. However, they are not as effective in their role as more invasive methods of aesthetic medicine. The best creams are those that contain glycolic acid and/or retinoids. Let’s also remember that we can reduce the further development of age spots simply by avoiding sun exposure and using sunscreen.
