Our skin contains a pigment called melanin, which protects the body from sun damage by absorbing ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Melanin also gives skin its color – darker skin has more melanin, and lighter skin has less. When you get a suntan, this is because the UV light from the sun makes your skin cells produce extra melanin, making your skin look darker. If someone has frequent, or intense sun exposure, melanin can clump into localized areas of highly concentrated pigment, creating an age spot. People are also exposed to UV light from tanning beds. The spot of pigment is actually your skin’s natural process of attempting to protect itself from sun damage. Age spots are most common in people who are 50 or older, but younger people who get a lot of sun exposure can get them too. Frequent suntanning, and not using sunscreen can make age spots larger, and darker. Some spots are red in color, and these can be caused by an overgrowth in the blood vessels under your skin. There are many different kinds of red spots including cherry angiomas, allergies, or rosacea. It’s important to have the cause of red spots properly diagnosed by a doctor, as some require different interventions.