Age Spots

These scattered tan brown spots usually appear on the most sun-exposed areas of your skin.

Restore a brighter, more even complexion.

Age spots — also called sun spots, brown spots, or lentigenes — are areas of excess pigmentation caused by years of ultraviolet (UV) exposure. These spots commonly appear on the face, chest, shoulders, arms, and hands and may become more noticeable over time.

Common signs and symptoms of age spots:

Flat brown spots
Uneven pigmentation
Sun damage on the face, chest, or hands
Patchy discoloration
Uneven skin tone

Treatment for age spots in Alpharetta & Buckhead

At Steele Dermatology, Dr. Johnson and her team offer advanced treatments — including medical-grade skincare — to reduce pigmentation and restore a more even complexion.

Laser Skin Rejuvenation (IPL)

IPL treatments help reduce sun spots, discoloration, and uneven pigmentation caused by years of UV exposure.

Chemical Peels

Chemical peels use acids or other solutions to improve pigmentation irregularities and enhance overall skin texture on every skin type.

Age Spot FAQs

What causes age spots?

Sun spots develop because of:

Chronic sun exposure
UV damage
Aging
Tanning bed use
Genetics

Repeated UV exposure stimulates excess melanin production within the skin. If you have a fair complexion, you are more likely to develop more age spots earlier in life.

How do age spots differ from melasma?

Age or sun spots are scattered tan brown spots on the skin, usually in the most sun-exposed areas. Melasma is similar with its tan brown to dark brown patches, but melasma creates bigger splotches of pigment that only occur on the face. These areas start as brown spots that may become more numerous or widespread, but they do not start as acne, moles, or anything else. Both conditions are extremely common, and sometimes they are indistinguishable.

Are age spots permanent?

Not necessarily. They can be significantly improved with professional treatment.

Where do you get age spots?

You get sun spots wherever you’ve gotten the most sun. That’s typically on the face, but they can also be found on the chest, arms, or upper back.

Can sunscreen prevent future damage?

Yes. Daily sunscreen use is essential for prevention and maintenance.

Are age spots dangerous?

Most sun spots are harmless, but you should have any changing lesion evaluated by Dr. Johnson or another board-certified dermatologist.

Schedule a consultation for age spots at Steele

Steele Dermatology offers customized treatment plans for age spots and pigmentation concerns. Schedule a consultation to learn more about your options.