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Liver Spots

The liver spots are light-to-dark brown patches appearing on the back of the hands, forehead and temples as the person grows older. They are also called age spots and usually occur in sun-exposed areas of the body. They are unrelated to the liver or liver function.

Cause of Liver spots

They are caused by an uneven production of the tanning pigment called melanin in the skin. This can be caused by excess sun exposure, or merely highlighted by it.

Treating Liver spots

You can use a cream containing an ingredient called hydroquinone, which works by penetrating the skin tissue to "dissolve" the melanin. Within six to eight weeks, your skin should be back to normal However, you must ensure you use a safe level of hydroquinone - the recommended amount in a cream is a mere two per cent. Using a sunscreen on your hands on a daily basis can prevent these patches from appearing again.