Question: What can I do about the “liver” spots that seem to come with age?

Dr. Hibberd's Answer:

Liver spots are otherwise known as solar or senile lentignes or age spots. They are actually not related to liver function or disease. They are age-related flat, brown spots that occur most often in sun exposed areas such as forehead, shoulders, face, forearms, and back of hands, and appear most often after the age of 40. An irregular, multicolored, or black appearance will require biopsy confirmation to be sure it is not a skin cancer.

Though no treatment is usually necessary, many prefer to improve the cosmetic appearance by using bleaching lotions available from your doctor. Some prefer to have them removed by laser treatment or even by light cryotherapy (freezing). These skin lesions are painless, but permanent, changes that many prefer to remove or bleach for cosmetic reasons.