DEAR DR. GOTT: I am a 50-year-old light-skinned black female with dark spots on my face. My doctor says they are age spots. I have never smoked or consumed alcohol, nor have I ever worn makeup. Is there any over-the-counter product that is affordable you might recommend?
DEAR READER: Liver spots, also known as age spots, are common in people who are over the age of 40 and in those who may have had chronic sunlight exposure without protective sunscreen. The spots are harmless and do not require treatment. They typically appear on light-skinned people but can affect anyone. Exposure to ultraviolet light speeds up the production of melanin, the dark pigment in the outer layers of skin that give it color. [Read more...]