Age spots: Skin condition from sun exposure
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Age spots are flat, brown or black spots that appear on various skin areas. Often people who have been exposed to the sun or UV rays for a long time have to deal with this. The spots are benign, but confirmation by a doctor is needed to rule out other skin conditions. Age spots get their name from the fact that it gives patients an older appearance. The skin abnormality can be treated with creams, lotions and other medical and alternative therapies to give the patients a younger appearance. The best treatment is prevention, which can be achieved by avoiding chronic exposure to the sun.
Causes: Due to long exposure to the sun
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With age spots, a form of pigmentation spots, changes in the skin color occur as the skin ages. The color change is the result of aging, or exposure to sunlight or other ultraviolet light sources, such as tanning beds. Melanin, the pigment in the top layer of the skin (epidermis), gives the skin its normal color. UV light accelerates the production of melanin, which creates a tan skin tone so that the deeper skin layers are protected from UV rays. After prolonged exposure to the sun
Liver spots risk factors
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People over 50 are particularly affected, but younger people who often work in the sun sometimes also have to deal with age spots. People with fair skin tones, poor nutrition, lack of exercise and poor skin care are also more likely than others to be affected by age spots. Smoking is also a risk factor. With the LEOPARD syndrome
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45 minMain dishRed cabbage, mild olive oil, quinoa plus, forest outing, lemon, sesame oil, soy sauce less salt, Bio Today tahini white in pot, tap water,grilled red cabbage with quinoa salad -
30 minDessertBrie, Roquefort, port salut, gruyere, Camembert, walnut, garlic, thyme, honey, grape, baguette, Red onion, red grape, raisins, Red wine, Red wine vinegar, Brown sugar,generous cheese plate with onion marmalade -
30 minDessertFull Milk, whipped cream, macaroon, custard powder, vanilla sugar, sugar, protein, amaretto, almond liqueur, basic recipe cooking pears,macaroon pastry with casserole
Symptoms: Painless, flat spots
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Age spots often appear after the age of 40, and often appear on the face, back of hands, top of feet, forearms, shoulders, upper back and / or forehead. These age spots are mainly found on skin areas that have been exposed to the sun for a long time. The spots are painless, flat and oval-shaped. They have a gray or light brown to black color (hyperpigmentation) with variable size of a few millimeters (small freckles)
Diagnosis and investigations
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The doctor examines the age spots on the skin, questions the patient about his age and history of sun exposure. He is usually already able to diagnose age spots on the basis of this information. If the doctor is not entirely sure, or the age spot has an irregular edge, he takes a piece of tissue from the age spot and has this biopsy (tissue sample) examined further to confirm the diagnosis. Sometimes an age spot is very similar to a melanoma, a birthmark or an old age wart
Treatment of liver-colored spots
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Professional medical treatment Usually, age spots don't need treatment. Some patients do want to improve the appearance of the skin, which is possible with bleaching lotions or creams. Most bleaching lotions contain hydroquinone. This medicine is safe to lighten the dark areas of the skin, but in some patients they cause blisters or other skin reactions as a side effect. Freezing (cryotherapy), laser treatment or microdermabrasion
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40 minMain dishlemongrass, fresh ginger, Red peppers, onions, tomato cubes, fresh cod fillet, coriander, oil, ground turmeric (koenjit), coconut milk, salt,fish in creamy coconut sauce -
15 minSide dishsweet potato, soft goat cheese, egg, spring / forest onion,stuffed sweet potato with egg
Skin condition complications
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From time to time a melanoma (form of skin cancer) develops
Prevention lentigines: Protect from the sun
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Protecting the skin from the sun is necessary to prevent age spots. This is possible by covering the skin with clothing such as hats, long sleeves, long skirts or wearing pants. Sunglasses also protect the eyes. Avoiding the sun in the afternoon is also necessary; the sun shines the strongest in the afternoon. Sunscreens with a factor of at least 30 are also necessary, and the patient applies them for at least half an hour before going outside. In addition, he regularly reapplies the cream to the skin. Finally, the use of sunscreen is also necessary in winter.
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Protecting the skin from the sun is necessary to prevent age spots. This is possible by covering the skin with clothing such as hats, long sleeves, long skirts or wearing pants. Sunglasses also protect the eyes. Avoiding the sun in the afternoon is also necessary; the sun shines strongest in the afternoon. Sunscreens with a factor of at least 30 are also necessary