Age spots

Besides the obvious – ageing, there are a range of causes that can lead to developing age spots. Often harmless, age spots may simply be a sign of overactivity in your pigment cells. These cells create patches of skin that appear darker than the rest of your skin that can add to the visible signs of ageing. 

They can even surface as a result of various lifestyle factors. If you are prone to excessive stress or high levels of estrogen, or you eat a diet that is high in unsaturated fats or low in Vitamin E, you may be more prone to age spots than others.

Age spots may be a sign of long-term overexposure to sunlight so making sure your clinical team have the experience in dealing with suspicious spots and bumps is vitally important.  

While it’s likely that your spots are simply a sign of ageing and nothing more, it’s important to have regular skin checks in case they are indicative of cancerous cells. Even if your age spots have not caused problems during skin checks in your youth, they can become problematic as you age.

They can also develop into rough, scaly skin patches known as solar keratoses. These patches are precancerous, meaning they can develop into cancerous cells over time and may need to be removed.

While many age spots are relatively innocuous, they can also cause problems down the line if left untreated. 

Regular skin checks and self-examinations are important in order to detect any common signs of cancerous cells. 

Potential problems to look for include asymmetry, irregular borders, differences in colour, size, or changes. If you notice any spots that look out of the ordinary, it’s well worth getting them looked at.