Do Iron Pills Cause Age Spots?
Age spots are blemishes that form on the skin. Often referred to as liver spots, they typically appear on a person's face, shoulders, arms and hands. Some people believe age spots can be caused by iron pills, but that is a misconception. Instead, their development depends on exposure to the sun.
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Definition
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Solar lentigines--a more scientific name for age spots--are colored spots on a person's skin. They are flat and may be brown, gray or black. These spots vary in terms of size, and they are most likely to appear on parts of the skin that receive the most sun exposure. According to the Mayo Clinic, they are most frequent in those with lighter skin, but anyone can develop them, regardless of skin tone.
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Symptoms
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The only symptoms of age spots are the spots themselves. They are oval-shaped and flat against the skin. Age spots may be tiny and the size of freckles, or they may exceed 1 cm in diameter. Sometimes, age spots cluster together, giving the appearance of a large spot, though they are simply a group of smaller spots that have formed close together.
Causes
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Age spots are not caused by iron pills or any type of problem with the blood or the liver. Instead, they form because of ultraviolet light exposure. Ultraviolet light in sun rays causes your skin to produce more melanin--a substance responsible for skin pigmentation. This extra melanin gives your skin a tanned appearance, but also serves the purpose of protecting your deep skin layers from damaging sun rays. Sometimes, the extra melanin clusters together too much, or the body produces even more than it needs to protect your skin. This overabundance causes age spots to develop. Advanced age and a family tendency towards excess melanin production may cause age spots as well.
Time Frame
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Age spots typically develop slowly. In fact, it may takes years of sun exposure for them to develop and become noticeable. They may also form, at the same gradual rate, in people who use tanning beds or lamps. According to MedlinePlus, they are most common in people older than 40.
Treatment
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Though unsightly, age spots don't usually require treatment. They do not cause any physical harm. However, some people choose cosmetic treatments to improve the appearance of their skin. Treatment methods may include medications to lighten the skin, laser treatments to get rid of extra melanin, freezing procedures to remove extra pigment or dermabrasion to remove old skin and reveal a new skin layer. Some people may also try chemical peels, which involve using acid to burn and peel of the outer skin layer, allowing new skin to develop.
References
- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Vassil Tzvetanov
