Despite their name, liver spots have absolutely nothing to do with your liver! These patches of pigmented skin are also commonly referred to as age spots, although the most appropriate name would be sun spots.
The skin contains cells that produce melanin when the skin is exposed to the sun’s rays. The melanin absorbs the energy of the sun’s rays, thus protecting the body from the harmful effects. While many of us believe we look better and even healthier with a tan, its very appearance denotes damage inflicted on the skin.
As we age, our skin is less able to regulate the production and regulation of melanin, resulting in uneven pigmentation and patches of darker skin. These ‘liver spots’ can appear anywhere on the skin, although those areas most often exposed to the sun are usually those that are worst affected.
It is always advisable to take the route of prevention, and to invest in a good quality sun block that can protect the skin. For damage that has already been done, the visible signs of that damage can be reduced with the help of pigmentation treatment.
