Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsAre Aging Spots Normal?Is It an Aging Spot?RemovalSkin Care and Sun Protection
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Are Aging Spots Normal?
Is It an Aging Spot?
Removal
Skin Care and Sun Protection
Aging spots on the legs, also called age spots,liver spots, or solarlentigo, are a very common and normal part of aging. They look like large brown freckles and can show up almost anywhere that the skin experiences exposure to the sun.
Several methods are available to fade or remove aging spots. Some can be done at home, whereas others require a visit to a healthcare provider. This article will discuss how to identify an age spot, how to get it removed, and prevent future ones from appearing.
Zay Nyi Nyi / Getty Images
Are Aging Spots on Legs Normal?
Age spots on the legs are incredibly common and normal. They are especially common in people 40 years old and older.Areas of the body that are exposed to the sun, like the hands, face, arms, and legs, can develop aging spots.
Exposure tosunlightcauses melanocytes (pigment-producing cells in the skin) to multiply. The pigment they produce (melanin) collects in the skin cells. resulting in an age spot.
If new spots are appearing on the skin and they do not fit the description of an age spot, talk to a healthcare provider. Several skin conditions look similar to an age spot.
While these spots are often called liver spots, they are named after the color only. They are not related to the health of your liver.
When to Be Concerned About Age SpotsAge spots are completely harmless, but they can resemble other skin conditions. Some of these are serious and need treatment, while others are benign. It is good to see a healthcare provider to ensure a proper diagnosis. These conditions include:Melanoma in situ(skin cancer)Pigmentedactinic keratosis(precancerous spots)Lichenoid keratosis (benign inflamed lesion)Seborrhoeic keratosis(benign growths)One of the main concerns regarding skin spots is that they could beskin cancer. Spots that are related to skin cancer can look:Firm and redCrustyBleedingScaly or roughShiny or waxy
When to Be Concerned About Age Spots
Age spots are completely harmless, but they can resemble other skin conditions. Some of these are serious and need treatment, while others are benign. It is good to see a healthcare provider to ensure a proper diagnosis. These conditions include:Melanoma in situ(skin cancer)Pigmentedactinic keratosis(precancerous spots)Lichenoid keratosis (benign inflamed lesion)Seborrhoeic keratosis(benign growths)One of the main concerns regarding skin spots is that they could beskin cancer. Spots that are related to skin cancer can look:Firm and redCrustyBleedingScaly or roughShiny or waxy
Age spots are completely harmless, but they can resemble other skin conditions. Some of these are serious and need treatment, while others are benign. It is good to see a healthcare provider to ensure a proper diagnosis. These conditions include:
One of the main concerns regarding skin spots is that they could beskin cancer. Spots that are related to skin cancer can look:
Identifying Aging Spots on Legs
Age spots on the legs appear as tan orbrown spotson the skin. They have the following features:
People at Risk of Age SpotsPeople with light-colored skin and frequent sun exposure are at greater risk of developing age spots. However, those with darker skin can also develop age spots.
People at Risk of Age Spots
People with light-colored skin and frequent sun exposure are at greater risk of developing age spots. However, those with darker skin can also develop age spots.
Removing Aging Spots on Legs: What Are the Possibilities?
Age spots can be lightened or, in some cases, completely removed. There are many options when it comes to removing age spots. Before attempting to use any at-home remedies, talk to a healthcare provider. Ways age spots can be removed include the following:
Skin Care and Sun Protection With Aging Spots on Legs
Protecting the skin fromsun exposureis the best way to prevent age spots. When outside, stay in the shade and cover the skin with sun-protective clothing. You can find garments available that are rated for sun protection.
To protect your head, face, eyes, and neck, wear a wide-brimmed hat and ultraviolet (UV) ray–protective sunglasses. On all exposed skin, wear broad-spectrumsunscreenwith a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher and water resistance.
Even if aging spots have been treated, they can still return if good sun protection habits are followed.
Summary
Aging spots on the legs appear as people get older and with long-term sun exposure. They are harmless discolorations of the skin that occur when sun exposure stimulates pigment-producing cells in the skin.
It is good to see a healthcare provider to ensure the spots are not a more concerning skin condition, such as skin cancer or precancerous actinic keratosis. A healthcare provider can recommend the best way to have them faded or removed if desired. Removal can be done with creams, lasers, or a chemical peel.
8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.DermNet.Solar lentigo.MedlinePlus.Aging spots - should you be concerned?Mount Sinai.Liver spots.DermNet.Atypical solar lentigo.American of Dermatologic Surgery.Age spots.American Academy of Dermatology Association.What can get rid of age spots?DermNet.Hydroquinone.DermNet.Cysteamine cream.
8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.DermNet.Solar lentigo.MedlinePlus.Aging spots - should you be concerned?Mount Sinai.Liver spots.DermNet.Atypical solar lentigo.American of Dermatologic Surgery.Age spots.American Academy of Dermatology Association.What can get rid of age spots?DermNet.Hydroquinone.DermNet.Cysteamine cream.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
DermNet.Solar lentigo.MedlinePlus.Aging spots - should you be concerned?Mount Sinai.Liver spots.DermNet.Atypical solar lentigo.American of Dermatologic Surgery.Age spots.American Academy of Dermatology Association.What can get rid of age spots?DermNet.Hydroquinone.DermNet.Cysteamine cream.
DermNet.Solar lentigo.
MedlinePlus.Aging spots - should you be concerned?
Mount Sinai.Liver spots.
DermNet.Atypical solar lentigo.
American of Dermatologic Surgery.Age spots.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.What can get rid of age spots?
DermNet.Hydroquinone.
DermNet.Cysteamine cream.
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
