Around What Age Do Sun or Age Spots Appear?

Brown age and sun spots are due to genetics, aging, and sun exposure. While you can't change your genes or your age, you can protect yourself from the sun by avoiding mid-day sun, wearing a hat, and applying SPF 30 or higher sunscreen (& reapplying every 2-3 hrs) to face, neck, and back of hands.

The earliest sun spots we see are freckles.  Later come the spots that come and stay, instead of come in the sun then go away like freckles.  These are called lentigines.  They can appear as early as the twenties and keep coming through the decades.  Use an spf 30 or above sun screen, but most importantly where a hat when you are out in the sun.  Even a baseball cap will help, though a broad brim is much better for a really sunny day or beach trip.  Avoid... more

It is certainly possible to get solar lentigines (sun spots or age spots) in your 20s. These typically accumulate with the total time you have spent in the sun, so a younger person can actually have many more than an older person who has had less sun. Genetics and where you live also play a large role. It is important to make sure any spot is actually an age spot and not something more concerning, like a precancer or skin cancer. Although precancers are unusual in younger people,... more

Thanks for the question.  It is possible to develop visible sun spots in your 20's. Early photoaging is present, although not necessarily visible to the naked eye. There are several treatments available to manage sunspots including IPL, fractionated lasers, and topical treatments. Always use sunblock regardless of the treatment  you undergo, as this will protect from further sun damage. Warmest Regards, Glenn Vallecillos, M.D., F.A.C.S. 

Hi Texas, Skin spots are a common complaint that can be treated.  Sun is the most common reason for spots to appear.  The use of sun screen as you have been doing has undoubtedly helped prevent the spots from being worse.  Sometimes, however, other factors, such as hormonal changes can cause spots to appear.  Treatment of these spots can be accomplished through skin creams (Retin-A, Triluma, and hydroquinone are some commonly used medications) or resurfacing... more

Yes, age spots can come in your twenties.  It is very dependent on your skin type and the amount of ultraviolet light your skin has seen.  The good news is that safe and effective strategies for removing age spots with very little downtime are available.  I utilize the KTP laser (Iridex Gemini) to lighten and remove age spots for a very natural look.  If you prefer to completely remove your age spots, I would recommend a light fracationated ablative resurfacing... more

Hi Texas.  Given your genetics (Mom's spots) and your location (sunny Texas), it's not impossible that the spot you are seeing is sun related and could occur by the age of 22.  Before considering any treatment, we would suggest you visit your physician to get a confirmation of the type of lesion.   If the spot is sun related (solar lentigines), we would recommend two things.  First, for removal, consider q-switched Nd:Yg lasers.  These are the same... more