Age spots, also known as liver spots or solar lentigines, are flat, brown, gray, or black spots that appear on the skin, typically in areas that have been exposed to the sun over a long period. They are more common in adults older than the age of 50, hence the name “age spots,” although they can develop earlier in life. Age spots usually occur on areas of the skin that receive the most sun exposure, such as the face, hands, shoulders, and arms.
Although it is similar, sun damage actually refers to the harm caused to the skin from prolonged exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. Sun damage can manifest in a variety of ways, including sunburn, premature aging, hyperpigmentation, and even skin cancer.