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Age Spots Removal · Manhattan Dermatologist · Cosmetic Laser Dermatology NYC

Information may not be reliable

5/17/2019

Manhattan Dermatology Specialists

Sun Spots

Sun spots, also known as solar lentigines are mainly caused by sun exposure.

Sun Damage Shows

Lentigines are those flat brown or tan spots that appear on the backs of your hands, on your face, arms and shoulders the areas that get the most ultraviolet ray exposure over the years. And while people over the age of 50 commonly develop the spots, younger adults who spend a lot of time outside without UV protection often begin to show them earlier.

Sun spots can be mistaken for cancerous melanomas, so you should have them checked out by a New York City dermatologist if you have concerns. True sun spots, however, are harmless. The only damage sun spots make is to your appearance.

How You Can Tell

Mostly, you see sun spots when you have fair skin, but they’re no strangers to darker skinned people. Typically, they can range in size from the size of a freckle to as big as one-half inch in diameter. Additionally, sun spots tend to show up in groups, which make them even more noticeable and unsightly. Other characteristics of sun spots include:

- They show up on those areas that have gotten a lot of exposure to the sun.

- The color of sun spots tends to run from light tan to medium brown.

- Usually they’re flat, not raised. They’re just darker pigmented skin.

- They are sharply defined.

Where Sun Spots Come From

Dermatology researchers have learned that sun spots happen when sun exposure leads to excess melanin deposition in the top layer of your skin. Melanin darkens as it’s exposed to the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun. All over, you get a tan when you spend time unprotected in the sun. But most often certain spots on your skin get more exposure and the color tends to clump together creating sun spots. Not wearing sufficient sunscreen encourages the spots to grow. You’re also at a higher risk of getting them if you have lighter skin or have a history of getting sunburned. Extensive time outside unprotected or time spent in tanning booths increase your chances of getting sun spots too.

Diagnosis

An experienced Manhattan dermatologist sees sun spots almost every day. Such doctors usually can tell just by looking at them if yours are indeed sun spots. When in doubt, however, your dermatologist may take a small sample of the skin and send it to a lab for confirmation. To take the sample in the office, your dermatology doctor first numbs the area and then shaves off a tiny sample. It takes less than a minute, and you won’t need more than a Band-Aid when you leave. Spots that look a lot like sun spots also are easily recognizable to your dermatologist. In fact, you may have one of the conditions that closely resemble the brown sun spots:

- Seborrheic Keratoses: These are very close in color to sun spots, but they look more like warts. They also have a waxy feel and seem to be pasted on your skin rather than part of it, whereas sun spots don’t feel any different from the rest of your skin.

- Moles: Sometimes, moles are flat, like sun spots, and often mistaken for the solar lentigines.

- Melanoma: A certain kind of skin cancer called a lentigo maligna melanoma can be similar in size and shape to sun spots. However, it has more a jagged edge and changes shape and color over time.

Manhattan Dermatology Specialists
Union Square
55 W 17th St Ste 103,
New York, NY 10011
(212) 378-9984

Upper East Side
983 Park Ave, Ste 1D1,
New York, NY 10028
(212) 427-8750
https://www.manhattandermatologistsnyc.com

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Working Hours Union Square & Upper East Side :
Monday: 8AM–7PM
Tuesday: 8AM–7PM
Wednesday: 8AM–7PM
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Friday: 8AM–5PM
Saturday: Closed
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Age Spots Removal · Manhattan Dermatologist · Cosmetic Laser Dermatology NYC Information may not be reliable

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Age Spots Removal · Manhattan Dermatologist · Cosmetic Laser Dermatology NYC

Information may not be reliable