What are age spots and what causes them?

Age spots and sunspots are the same things. They are a common form of hyperpigmentation and appear as small, flat& darkened patches of skin that are light brown to black in colour. They are most common in people over the age of 40 (hence the name) but they can occur earlier.

They are caused by increased production of melanin – the natural pigment that gives our skin its color. Melanin acts as your skin’s natural sunscreen by protecting you from harmful UV rays, which is why people tan in the sun. But excessive sun exposure increases the amount of melanin that skin produces. As the alternative name `sunspots` suggests, these dark spots are most commonly triggered by over-exposure to the sun. For this reason, they’re usually found on areas of the body that are frequently in the sun: face, neck, décolleté, shoulders, forearms, and hands.

How can I remove or reduce existing age spots?