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Causes
By Mayo Clinic staff
Ultraviolet (UV) light accelerates the production of melanin. Melanin is the dark pigment in the epidermis that gives your skin its normal color. The extra melanin — produced to protect the deeper layers of your skin — creates the darker color of a tan. Age spots develop when the extra melanin becomes "clumped" or is produced in higher concentrations than normal.
Most often, it takes years of sun exposure for these dark spots to occur — they typically develop very slowly over time. Using commercial tanning lamps and tanning beds can eventually result in the same changes.
In addition to sun exposure, simply growing older can cause the extra production of melanin and subsequent age spots. Genetics also plays a role in how susceptible you are to the development of age spots.
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- Ortonne JP, et al. Treatment of solar lentigines. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 2006;54:S262.
- Farris PK. Combination therapy for solar lentigines. Journal of Drugs in Dermatology. 2004;3:S23.
- What you need to know about moles and dysplastic nevi. National Cancer Institute. http://www.cancer.gov/pdf/WYNTK/WYNTK_moles.pdf. Accessed Dec. 4, 2008.
- The sun and your skin. American Academy of Dermatology. http://www.aad.org/public/publications/pamphlets/sun_sun.html. Accessed Dec. 3, 2008.
- Habif TP. Light-related diseases and disorders of pigmentation. In: Habif TP. Clinical Dermatology: A Color Guide to Diagnosis and Therapy. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby; 2004. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/112580021-4/0/1195/130.html?tocnode=51442208&fromURL=130.html#4-u1.0-B0-323-01319-8..50021-2--cesec13_2361. Accessed Dec. 4, 2008.
- Alpha hydroxy acids. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. http://www.naturaldatabase.com. Accessed Dec. 4, 2008.
- Draelos ZD. Skin lightening preparations and the hydroquinone controversy. Dermatologic Therapy. 2007;20:308.
- Chawla S, et al. Mechanism of tyrosinase inhibition by deoxyArbutin and its second-generation derivatives. British Journal of Dermatology. 2008;159:1267.
