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Liver spots

Contents of this page:

Illustrations

Lentigo, solar on the back
Lentigo, solar on the back
Lentigo, solar with erythema on the arm
Lentigo, solar with erythema on the arm

Alternative Names    Return to top

Sun-induced skin changes - liver spots; Senile or solar lentigines; Skin spots - aging; Age spots

Definition    Return to top

Liver spots are flat, brown-black spots that usually occur in sun-exposed areas of the body. They are unrelated to the liver or liver function.

Causes    Return to top

Liver spots are changes in skin color that occur in older skin. The increased color may be brought on by aging, exposure to the sun or other forms of ultraviolet light, or other unknown causes.

Liver spots are extremely common after age 40. They occur most often on areas that have had the greatest sun exposure, such as the:

Symptoms    Return to top

Skin lesion that is:

Exams and Tests    Return to top

A diagnosis is based on the appearance of the skin, especially if you are over 40 and have had a lot of sun exposure over the years. A liver spot that looks irregular may be biopsied to confirm that it is not skin cancer.

Treatment    Return to top

No treatment is needed in most cases. You can improve the cosmetic appearance of your skin by using skin bleaching lotions or creams. Freezing (cryotherapy) or laser treatment may be recommended to destroy the liver spots.

Outlook (Prognosis)    Return to top

Liver spots are not medically dangerous. They are permanent skin changes that may affect the cosmetic appearance of the skin.

Possible Complications    Return to top

Liver spots are harmless and painless, but they may affect the appearance. This can cause emotional distress.

Occasionally, liver spots may make it difficult to diagnose skin cancers.

When to Contact a Medical Professional    Return to top

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if:

Prevention    Return to top

Protect your skin from the sun by taking the following precautions:

Update Date: 10/3/2008

Updated by: Kevin Berman, MD, PhD, Atlanta Center for Dermatologic Disease, Atlanta, GA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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