Laserwelt.com

Dependent on the degree of sun exposure, age spots can occur as early as the age of 40. In Germany, 90% of 60 year olds are affected. In contrast to freckles, age spots are always visible, i.e. throughout the year. Age spots are slight damage to the skin as a result of long-term UV-light exposure. They are an accumulation of the brownish and wax-like pigment lipofuscin which results from the oxidation of the unsaturated fatty acids of the cell membranes. Lipofuscin is also called ageing or wear-and-tear pigment. The skin cells in particular are exposed to the free radicals caused by UV light. As with all signs of skin atrophy, the production of age spots can mainly be reduced by protecting the skin against excessive sun exposure. In addition, the skin benefits from a sophisticated protection system to attack the aggressive oxygen molecules. Several anti-oxidants (vitamin C, E, carotinoids, co-enzyme Q10, bio-flavonoids, zinc and selenium) are used to protect the skin. Not only is the production of free radicals increased by intensive sun exposure, but at the same time the degree of protective anti-oxidants in the skin is reduced. As well as UV-light, also alcohol, nicotine (especially the chemical benzpyrene in the smoke), medicaments and nitrates or nitrites from nutrition lead to a high production of free radicals, finally resulting in visible cell atrophy. Symptoms: Light-brown and irregular spots which can reach a size of several centimetres.