Age spots, also known as liver spots, sun spots, solar lentigines or brown spots, are benign skin conditions primarily affecting individuals over 50. These harmless spots are often confused with melanoma and moles. Many people choose to remove age spots for cosmetic reasons.
Age spots resemble freckles but do not fade away. They are brown and may appear in groups, either small or large. Typically, they appear on body parts exposed to the sun for long periods, such as the face, hands, arms, shoulders and back.
Although age spots are commonly seen in middle-aged individuals with lighter skin, they can occur at any age. They are usually about half an inch in size and may cause cosmetic concerns if grouped together. While harmless and painless, it’s essential to have a doctor examine them as they could indicate skin abnormalities or melanoma (skin cancer).
Age Spot Symptoms and Characteristics
Age Spot Visual Guide
🎯 Age Spot Visual Guide
Interactive guide to identify and understand age spot characteristics
Educational Tool: This guide helps identify typical age spot characteristics. Always consult a dermatologist for proper diagnosis, especially for new or changing spots.
Overview
Characteristics
Common Areas
vs. Other Spots
Understanding Age Spots
Age spots (also called liver spots or solar lentigines) are flat, brown or black spots that appear on sun-exposed areas of the skin. They're caused by years of sun exposure and are most common in adults over 50.
Interactive Age Spot Examples
Click on the spots below to learn about different types:
Spot Information
Click on a spot above to see detailed information.
✅ Key Identifying Features
Flat appearance: Age spots don't raise above the skin surface
Brown coloration: Range from light tan to dark brown
Defined borders: Usually have clear, well-defined edges
Sun-exposed areas: Appear where skin has had most UV exposure
Key Characteristics
Click on each characteristic to learn more:
👁️ Appearance
Flat, oval or irregular edges
No raised texture, smooth surface
📏 Size
Varied, generally small
From tiny dots to larger patches
🎨 Color
Light to dark brown
Increased pigmentation, uniform color
👥 Grouping
Often clustered together
Multiple spots in same area
Small
2-4mm
Medium
5-10mm
Large
10-15mm
Extra Large
15mm+
Characteristic Details
Click on a characteristic above to see detailed information.
Common Locations
Age spots typically appear on areas with the most sun exposure over time. Click on the highlighted areas:
Location Information
Click on a highlighted area to see information about age spots in that location.
🌞 Sun Exposure Areas
Most common: Backs of hands, face, shoulders, arms
Also found on: Upper back, décolletage, forearms
Why these areas: Cumulative UV damage over decades
Age Spots vs. Other Skin Spots
Age Spots
Larger than freckles
Darker brown color
Appear later in life
Don't fade in winter
Well-defined borders
Freckles
Smaller and lighter
Appear in childhood
Fade in winter months
More numerous
Genetic predisposition
⚠️ When to See a Dermatologist
Concerning changes:
Rapid growth or size changes
Color changes (especially darkening)
Irregular or changing borders
Bleeding, itching, or tenderness
Raised texture or thickness
New spots appearing rapidly
Age spots or liver spots are typically flat and vary in color from light to dark brown. They don’t have a consistent shape or size, often resembling freckles. They may cause cosmetic discomfort, especially when appearing on the face, neck, cleavage or other exposed areas.
Key Characteristics:
Appearance: Flat; oval or jagged edges
Size: Varied; generally quite small
Color: Increased pigmentation, usually tan to dark brown
Location: Commonly on sun-exposed areas like the backs of hands, face, shoulders and upper back
Additional Symptoms: Often grouped together
What Causes Age Spots?
The primary cause of age spots (also referred to as solar lentigines, sun spots or dark spots) is prolonged sun exposure. Fair-skinned individuals are more prone to developing these spots. Although often associated with liver function due to their name, age spots have no connection to liver health.
Sun exposure is the primary trigger, but age spots can also appear without any apparent reason. As the skin ages, it regenerates more slowly, making it more susceptible to damage from UV rays, leading to the development of liver spots.
How much does age spot removal cost?
The cost to remove an age spot starts at $450 at our clinics in Toronto, Oakville and Southern Ontario. The final price may vary based on the number of spots, the treatment area and the number of treatments needed. Our surgeons will provide a personalized cost estimate during your consultation. Visit us for a free consultation.
Age Spot Removal in Toronto and Oakville
Looking to fade or get rid of age spots or liver spots fast? If you've noticed flat, brown spots on your skin—often called age spots or sun spots—appearing on areas like your face, hands, shoulders, or back and find them bothersome, we’re here to help. At The Minor Surgery Center, our board certified plastic surgeons in Toronto and Oakville specialize in removing these spots safely and quickly. Visit our clinics for a personalized free consultation and let us help you achieve clearer, more youthful-looking skin.
Treatment Options for Age Spots in Toronto and Oakville
At The Minor Surgery Center, we offer several effective treatments for age spot removal, including:
Bleaching Creams: To lighten the spots
Dermabrasion: For exfoliating the skin
Surgical Shaves and Excisions: Using local anesthesia
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Therapy: A non-invasive method to reduce pigmentation
At Toronto Minor Surgery Center, our team of highly trained and experienced board-certified surgeons is committed to delivering exceptional patient care, ensuring that every age spot treatment is performed with meticulous precision and aesthetic consideration in a safe environment.
Our renowned surgeons, with their extensive experience and hands-on approach, effectively lighten or eliminate age spots using the latest techniques. Depending on your medical history and the severity of your condition, our specialists may use Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) therapy or other advanced methods to treat your age spots.
Comprehensive Consultation and Personalized Treatment Plans
During your initial consultation, our surgeons will thoroughly assess your age spots and provide detailed information about the removal process, recovery, potential risks, and the estimated number of treatments required. While most patients typically need around three treatments, we understand that each case is unique. Our personalized treatment plans are tailored to meet your specific needs, ensuring the best possible outcomes. This means you may need as few as one or two sessions or more than three, depending on your individual condition.
Efficient and Effective Procedures
Our esteemed surgeons typically complete age spot removal procedures in approximately half an hour. Throughout the process, they prioritize your comfort and safety, ensuring that you receive the highest standard of care.
Age Spot Removal FAQ
Age Spot Removal FAQ
Understanding Age Spots
Age spots, also called liver spots or sunspots, are flat, brown, or black spots that appear on areas of skin most exposed to the sun over many years. They are caused by an accumulation of melanin (skin pigment) and are most common on the face, hands, shoulders, and arms of adults over 50.
Important: Age spots are completely harmless and non-cancerous. They are purely cosmetic concerns and pose no health risks.
Age spots are primarily caused by prolonged exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun or tanning beds. Over time, UV radiation causes melanin to clump together in certain areas of the skin, forming these darker patches. Factors include cumulative sun exposure, genetics, age, and fair skin tone.
Risk factors: Fair skin, frequent sun exposure, history of sunburns, age over 40, and genetics all contribute to age spot development.
Age spots are entirely harmless. But if they present a cosmetic problem, then you can have them removed. Just make sure to have them checked to ensure they are not melanoma or any other skin abnormality.
Medical evaluation: Professional assessment ensures accurate diagnosis and rules out any concerning skin changes before treatment.
Age spots are also called liver spots or sunspots. They are harmless and non-cancerous. They are not a type of skin cancer and do not develop into any form of cancer.
Peace of mind: True age spots never become malignant, but any changing or suspicious spots should be professionally evaluated.
Age spots can appear suddenly, or they may take a long time to appear. There is no specific way to tell whether their growth is fast or not. They typically develop gradually over years of sun exposure, but may become more noticeable suddenly due to hormonal changes or increased sun exposure.
Timing varies: Some spots may appear seemingly overnight while others develop slowly over months or years.
Age spots are harmless and non-cancerous. If you have any spots, make sure to tell Dr. Tutino about them, especially if they are black or they change their appearance. These changes could mean that they might be some form of skin cancer.
Rapid changes in size, shape, or color
Irregular or asymmetrical borders
Multiple colors within one spot
Bleeding, itching, or tenderness
Diameter larger than a pencil eraser
Any new growth that looks different
Treatment Options
Several effective treatment options are available for age spot removal:
❄️
Cryotherapy: Freezing spots with liquid nitrogen
⚡
Laser Therapy: Targeted light energy to break down pigment
🧪
Chemical Peels: Controlled skin resurfacing with acids
Microdermabrasion: Gentle exfoliation of skin layers
🎯
Prescription Creams: Hydroquinone or tretinoin-based treatments
The best treatment method depends on factors such as the size, location, and depth of your age spots, your skin type, downtime tolerance, and budget. During consultation, our specialists will evaluate your specific case and recommend the most appropriate treatment approach.
Personalized approach: Treatment selection is customized based on your individual needs, skin characteristics, and desired outcomes.
The number of treatments varies depending on the method used, the size and depth of spots, and individual response. Some treatments like cryotherapy may require only 1-2 sessions, while others like chemical peels might need 3-6 treatments for optimal results.
Treatment planning: Your surgeon will provide a detailed treatment plan with expected number of sessions during your consultation.
Recovery & Results
Recovery time for age spots is minimal, and you will soon be back to your routine after the procedure. It might feel like you have a sunburn immediately after the procedure, but this will go away in the next 24-48 hours. There might also be some redness around the target area right after the treatment, and it might look like your age spots have become darker, but that is normal.
24-48 hours
Sunburn-like sensation subsides
1 week
Initial healing, spots may appear darker
2 weeks
Spots begin fading, expected results visible
4-6 weeks
Complete healing and final results
Sun protection required: Avoid sun exposure for at least two days before and after the procedure. If you have a tan, the procedure may need to be rescheduled.
Not usually. Generally, after you have had the surgery, the age spots do not return. But new ones could grow in places that are exposed to the Sun.
Permanent removal: Successfully treated age spots typically don't return in the same location when properly removed.
The thing with age spots is that they can come back if the sun exposure continues, even after the procedure. If you want to keep the age spots away, we recommend keeping your skin covered, using sunscreen regularly, and moisturizing it once you've had the procedure. After your procedure, our surgeon will give you more instructions to ensure that your skin remains blemish-free and the age spots do not return.
Use broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen daily
Wear protective clothing and wide-brimmed hats
Seek shade during peak sun hours (10 AM - 4 PM)
Apply moisturizer regularly to maintain skin health
Avoid tanning beds and excessive sun exposure
Reapply sunscreen every 2 hours when outdoors
During healing, you may experience temporary darkening of treated spots, mild redness or swelling, light scabbing or peeling, and possible temporary lightening of surrounding skin. These are normal parts of the healing process and typically resolve within 2-4 weeks.
Detailed explanation: Our surgeon explains the entire healing process in great detail during your initial consultation, so you know exactly what to expect.
Cost & Consultation
The cost of the procedure depends on the number of spots you have, the target area, and the number of treatments that our surgeon might suggest. Since no two patients are alike, the cost is different too for everyone. Our surgeon will inform you about the cost of your personalized treatment plan.
🔢
Number of Spots
More spots require more treatment time
📍
Treatment Area
Size and location affect complexity
🔄
Number of Sessions
Some spots need multiple treatments
⚕️
Treatment Method
Different techniques have varying costs
Age spot removal is typically considered a cosmetic procedure and is not covered by insurance plans, including OHIP. However, if there's medical concern about a spot requiring biopsy or examination, that diagnostic portion may be covered.
Payment options: We offer various payment plans and financing options to make treatment more accessible.
During your consultation, our surgeon will examine your age spots, assess your skin type, discuss your medical history, explain suitable treatment options, provide cost estimates, and answer all your questions. This comprehensive evaluation ensures the best treatment approach for your specific needs.
Thorough assessment: We take time to understand your concerns and goals to create the most effective treatment plan.
Preparation includes avoiding sun exposure for at least 2 weeks before treatment, discontinuing certain skincare products (retinoids, exfoliants), staying well-hydrated, avoiding blood-thinning medications if possible, and arranging transportation if needed. Detailed pre-treatment instructions will be provided.
Critical requirement: Avoid tanning or sun exposure before treatment, as this can affect treatment safety and effectiveness.
Prevention & Long-term Care
Prevention is the best approach to avoiding new age spots. This includes daily sunscreen use (SPF 30 or higher), wearing protective clothing, seeking shade during peak sun hours, avoiding tanning beds, using antioxidant-rich skincare products, and maintaining overall skin health.
Prevention is key: Consistent sun protection can prevent most new age spots from forming while maintaining your treatment results.
Post-treatment skincare should include gentle cleansing, regular moisturizing, daily broad-spectrum sunscreen application, avoiding harsh scrubs or exfoliants initially, and using products recommended by your surgeon. Antioxidant serums containing vitamin C can also help maintain results.
Customized routine: Your surgeon will provide specific product recommendations based on your skin type and treatment method used.
While age spot treatments can be performed year-round, fall and winter are often preferred times due to reduced sun exposure. This allows for optimal healing without the risk of sun damage to treated areas. However, with proper sun protection, treatments can be safely performed in any season.
Seasonal considerations: Cooler months may be ideal for treatment, but proper sun protection makes year-round treatment possible.
Age spot removal can be performed on adults of any age, though most patients are over 40 when spots typically become more noticeable. The key factors are skin health, realistic expectations, and commitment to post-treatment sun protection rather than specific age limits.
No age limits: Treatment suitability is based on individual skin assessment rather than chronological age.
Special Considerations
Age spots can be treated on most areas of the body, including face, hands, chest, shoulders, and back. However, treatment approach may vary based on skin thickness, sensitivity, and healing characteristics of different body areas. Some locations may require modified techniques or longer healing times.
Location matters: Treatment protocols are adjusted based on the body area being treated to ensure optimal safety and results.
Large or numerous age spots can still be effectively treated, though they may require multiple sessions or combination therapy approaches. Our surgeons will develop a comprehensive treatment plan that may involve treating areas in stages to ensure optimal healing and results.
Comprehensive approach: Even extensive age spot coverage can be successfully addressed with proper planning and staged treatments.
Certain conditions may affect treatment eligibility, including active skin infections, autoimmune disorders, blood clotting disorders, pregnancy or breastfeeding, recent tanning or sunburn, and certain medications that increase photosensitivity. A thorough medical evaluation determines treatment suitability.
Medical screening: Complete health assessment ensures safe and effective treatment for your individual circumstances.
Long-term success requires diligent sun protection, regular use of sunscreen and protective clothing, periodic skin examinations, maintenance of a good skincare routine, and prompt treatment of any new spots that appear. Annual skin checks help monitor your skin health and catch any new developments early.
Lifelong commitment: With proper care and sun protection, age spot removal results can be maintained for many years.
Contact Us for Age Spot Treatment and Removal
For more information or to schedule a consultation, contact our clinics in Toronto, Vaughan, or Oakville. Our experienced team is here to help you achieve clear, blemish-free skin.
Our locaitons
Toronto: 2920 Dufferin Street, Suite 202, Toronto ON M6B 3S8
Oakville: 3075 Hospital Gate Unit 109, Oakville, ON L6M 1M
Vaughan: 2701 Rutherford Rd Building C, Vaughan, ON L4K 2N6
Mississauga: 1224 Dundas Street West Unit 101 Mississauga, ON L4C 4G7
