Causes And Risk Factors Of Age Spots

History Of Intense Sunburns

Individuals with a history of intense sunburns tend to prematurely develop age spots and other damage to the skin like freckles and wrinkles. Those individuals who experience five or more intense sunburns by twenty years old are at an increased risk of developing age spots and skin cancer. A history of sunburns that can be classified as second-degree burns or worse may cause age spots to appear prematurely. Ultraviolet radiation causes damage to the skin's collagen and elastin, which can leave the skin looking saggy or leathery and littered with the brown patches known as age spots. All it takes is one bad sunburn for age spots to appear, but a history of intense sunburns can drastically increase their occurrence and amount.

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Advanced Age

Advanced age is one of the major risk factors for age spots, and they are very common in adults over fifty years old. Many of these individuals will have several age spots. However, these spots can begin appearing at forty years old, and some individuals may even develop age spots in their teenage years. As individuals age, they typically accumulate more exposure to the sun and other sources of ultraviolet rays, and this ultraviolet exposure causes the formation of the spots. Since age also increases the risk of other skin conditions, including melanoma and other forms of skin cancer, patients should see a dermatologist for a yearly skin examination. This is especially important since certain skin cancers often appear very similar to age spots.

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