Brown Spots on the Leg
The primary cause of brown spots on your legs, or anywhere on your body, is overexposure to the sun. If you have spent years out in the sun, without wearing sunscreen and protective clothing, your body has attempted to protect itself by producing excessive amounts of melanin.
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Effects
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Melanin is pigment. When melanin is produced it appears in groupings that consist of high levels of pigment. These groupings or clusters result in brown spots on your body, notes the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery
Identification
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These brown spots are often referred to as age spots or liver spots. The proper term is seborrhoeic keratoses or lentigos.
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Aging
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As we age, the spots tend to proliferate. Eventually, there are so many spots that they create a speckled or freckled appearance to your skin.
Treatment
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You can try to reduce the appearance of brown spots by using fading or bleaching creams. The best creams contain vitamin C, retinol (vitamin A,) azelias acid, hydroquinone or antioxidants in them. Hydroquinone is an organic compound. It is used as a topical application to reduce the color of skin.
Alternatives
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Other options for minimizing brown spots include laser treatment and a chemical peel. Consult with your dermatologist and see what she recommends as the best course of action.
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