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Understanding Age Spots

Dark spots, often called age spots or sun spots, usually develop gradually rather than suddenly.

These small patches of increased pigmentation most commonly appear on areas frequently exposed to sunlight, including:

• The face
• Hands
• Forearms
• Shoulders
• Chest

Years of ultraviolet (UV) exposure encourage the skin to produce extra melanin as a protective response.

Over time, this pigment can collect in certain areas, making the skin tone appear uneven.

This is why dermatologists often emphasize one habit above almost every other: