Tag: liver spot

Liver spots / age spots are blemishes on the skin associated with aging and exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun. They range in colour from light brown to red or black and are located in areas most often exposed to the sun, particularly the hands, face, shoulders, arms and forehead, and the scalp if bald.

The spots derive their name from the fact that they were once incorrectly believed to be caused by liver problems, but they are physiologically unrelated to the liver, save for a similar colour. From the age of 40 onward the skin is less able to regenerate from sun exposure, and liver spots are very common in this age group.