Why do age spots keep appearing? Turns out, there's a surprising reason behind it.

Ultraviolet rays are the main cause of skin aging. During the hot summer months with strong sunlight, the risk of pigmentation disorders such as age spots and dark spots, as well as wrinkles, increases.

 

So, should we only be cautious about ultraviolet rays to prevent various age spots from forming? Recent publications in medical journals suggest that we should be careful not only of ultraviolet rays but also of air pollution. Various harmful substances in the air can also be a cause of age spots.

 

Director Kim Young-gu of Yonsei Star Dermatology Gangnam Clinic stated on the 9th, "It is easy to think that only the strong ultraviolet rays of summer cause skin pigmentation disorders, but research findings continue to be published indicating that air pollution particles play an important role in the occurrence of solar lentigines."

 

According to a paper published by domestic researchers in an international journal, harmful substances in the atmosphere have an effect on the occurrence of solar black spots similar to ultraviolet rays.

Ultraviolet rays have a greater impact on wrinkle formation.

 

Harmful substances such as fine dust, ozone, nitrogen compounds, and sulfur dioxide occur more frequently during the period from fall to winter.

It means that you should pay more attention to skin care not only in summer but also in fall and winter.

 

Age spots are benign pigmented tumors that spread outward on the skin's epidermis. When touched, they feel slightly raised. In contrast, melasma spreads inward.

 

The diameter of age spots ranges from 1mm to several centimeters. They can continue to grow. They commonly appear on exposed skin such as the face, back of the hands, and arms. Various factors, including genetic predisposition and skin immune substances, influence the development of age spots. Once formed, age spots do not disappear on their own even if ultraviolet exposure is reduced or blocked.

 

As age increases, age spots become darker and thicker. The surface is covered with oily-looking 'scaling (white powder that forms on the skin)', scabs from boils, and other shapes. Because of this, it is also called 'seborrhea.' This is why another name for age spots is 'seborrheic keratosis.'

It is generally known that treating age spots on the back of the hand is more difficult than treating facial age spots. When laser is applied to the skin, it causes tiny wounds that heal over time, leading to treatment. The skin on the back of the hand produces less oil than facial skin. Because of this, the skin on the back of the hand is more vulnerable to ultraviolet rays and tends to heal wounds more slowly.

 

Director Kim stated, "During the period from autumn to winter, there is a higher frequency of exposure to air pollutants such as fine dust," and emphasized that "Managing skin pigment disorders through laser treatment, applying sunscreen, and thoroughly cleansing the skin after going outside to remove pollutants are important."

 

Ji-hyun Lee, Reporter bluesky@hankyung.com

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When you say "age spots," it mostly refers to older people.

Although I think it's there, I hear that it is also appearing among young people these days.

The main cause of wrinkle formation is said to be ultraviolet rays.

In summer, since ultraviolet rays are strong, we pay close attention to skin care, but in autumn, we might neglect it.

Take even more care of your skin to regenerate into beautiful skin.