Sun damage on the arms and legs has been difficult to treat. Not only is it often unsightly – blotchy brown and red – but also is the area where skin cancers and precancerous spots begin.
People of all skin types develop sun-damaged skin on the face, chest and neck, the hands and arms, and the legs. Sun damage occurs from repeated long-term exposure to UVA and UVB, resulting in brown spots (liver spots, sun freckles), dilated blood vessels and fine lines and wrinkles. Fortunately, there is multiple sun damaged skin treatments that our providers at Advanced Dermatology can employ.
Now several researchers are using a multilayered approach to treating sun damage on the arms and legs which makes sense to me and is yielding good results (in expert hands only please). For the arms and legs, combining a glycolic or light TCA peel (for the texture). The best is definitely TCA based peel.
Age spots are the little skin blemishes that develop on the skin that are associated with aging and exposure to the harsh radiation of the suns UV rays. Age spots are sometimes referred to as brown spots, stains, or sun spots, and despite the liver spot nickname, have no association with the liver.
Age spots are flat, unlike moles, and range in color from light brown to black. You can generally find these spots in the areas of your skin most exposed to the sun, such as on your arms, face, shoulders, and forehead. Age spots on the hands are extremely common.
The skin protects itself against cuts and other traumas through bruises and scars. In the same way, age spots are the skins defense against the suns damage.
Medically, these spots are known as lentigos or liver spots. They are also believed to be a genetic inheritance and could relate to a bad diet, lack of exercise and poor liver function.
As the skin ages, it is less able to regenerate itself from the suns damage. These little tan, brown, grey and black spots appear on the skin’s surface. The skin’s pigment, called melanin, accumulates on the surface (epidermis) and form these little collections of darker marks that are noticeable on the skin. They most commonly occur in the areas that are most often exposed to the sun; the arms, legs, neck, shoulders, chest and facial area. Since the liver spots are caused by age and sun exposure, they can, therefore, occur on all skin types. Too many people allow these unsightly skin blemishes go unaddressed.
Fortunately, they are not harmful. They are just a sign of the years gone by. However, it is important to notice any radical changes in size, color, or relief of these blemishes. Should any strange changes occur immediately consult your medical doctor.
Protecting the skin properly at a young age will prevent not only age spots but also serious skin diseases such as skin cancer. This will not only protect against blemishes and diseases but also those unwanted fine lines and wrinkles. Even if you already have these age spots you can prevent them from getting worse by looking after and protecting your skin now. It’s never too late.
I’m Fabulous Cosmetics has a popular TCA body peel that can be done at home or by a licensed professional. This TCA body peel is ready to use and comes with step by step instruction on how to use. For a fraction of the cost, you can do it yourself at home.