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Liver spots

• Overview
• Symptoms
• Treatment
• Prevention

Alternative Names:

Sun-induced skin changes - liver spots; Senile or solar lentigines; Skin spots - aging; Age spots

Treatment:

No treatment is needed in most cases. The cosmetic appearance of your skin may be improved by the use of skin bleaching lotions or creams. Cryotherapy (freezing) or laser treatment may be recommended to destroy the liver spots.

Expectations (prognosis):

Liver spots are not medically dangerous. They are permanent skin changes that may affect the cosmetic appearance of the skin.

Complications:

A possible complication is emotional distress from the appearance of the liver spots.

Calling your health care provider:

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if liver spots are present and removal is desired, or if any new symptoms develop, particularly changes in the appearance of any skin lesion.

• Review Date: 10/26/2006
• Reviewed By: Michael S. Lehrer, M.D., Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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