Age spots are the result of local concentrations of excess melanin. Melanin absorbs the UV-radiation of the sun’s rays in order to protect the skin. Provided sun exposure is limited, the result is an even tan.
However, if skin is exposed to too much sun, over a long period of time, the activity of melanocytes will increase and too much melanin will be produced.
The result will be the appearance of age spots on the most commonly exposed areas, such as the face, hands and décolletage.
Age spots usually occur in adults over 40 years but younger people can also be prone to them if they spend a lot of time exposed to the sun.
