Table of Contents
Blemishes
This report covers three types of blemishes: Liver spots, purpura, and seborrheic keratoses.
Liver Spots
"Liver spots" (known as lentigos, or sun-induced pigmented lesions) are flat brown spots on the skin. Despite the common name, these blemishes have nothing to do with the liver. Instead, they are almost universal signs of aging. Occurring most noticeably on the hands and face, these blemishes tend to enlarge and darken over time. The extent and severity of the spots are determined by a combination of skin type, sun exposure, and age. These spots are harmless, but they should be distinguished from lentigo maligna, which is an early sign of melanoma.
Treating Liver Spots. Liver spots do not require treatment, although some people are distressed by their appearance. Treatments may include the following:
- Trichloroacetic acid (a chemical peel).
- Tretinoin (Retin A) alone, or in combination with mequinol (Solage). Tretinoin is related to vitamin A, and is also effective in treating wrinkles.
- Gentle freezing with liquid nitrogen (cryotherapy).
- Laser treatment. Specific lasers, such as the Nd:YAG, are effective in eliminating 80% of liver spots in one treatment. Laser treatment may be more effective than cryotherapy and may have fewer side effects.
- Bleaching creams are commonly available but are not as satisfactory as peels, and high concentrations can sometimes cause permanent loss of skin color.
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Review Date: 10/15/2010
Reviewed By: Harvey Simon, MD, Editor-in-Chief, In-Depth Reports; Associate
Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Physician,
Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD,
MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)
