Age spots typically appear as flat, brown areas of skin, but they can also appear as tan or black spots. These dark spots can vary in size, but are larger than freckles. While they can appear almost anywhere on the skin, they usually develop in areas most likely to be uncovered and therefore exposed to the sun, such as the face, shoulders, arms, and hands. Dark sports usually develop as the result of sun damage.
Ultraviolet (UV) light penetrates deep into the skin and triggers the production of melanin, which is a pigment that gives skin its color. Melanin also causes skin to tan upon exposure to UV radiation in sunlight or tanning beds. Melanin protects the skin from burning. Overproduction of melanin can cause the pigment to clump and move upwards to the surface of the skin, resulting in a visible dark spot.
Brown spots are very common in people over the age of 40. This is because, as we age, the clumps of melanin continue to accumulate and grow denser over the years. The body’s production of melanin also decreases over the years, which leaves skin looking especially pale – except in the areas where pigment has clumped. Brown spots really stand out against paler skin.