Age spots are darkened patches of skin that range in color from pale brown to almost black. Because these spots are so commonly associated with the aging process, most people call them age spots—but actually aging is not their only cause. Also referred to as liver spots or solar lentigines, age spots also occur because of ultraviolet radiation exposure from the sun, something that can happen to any individual, regardless of how old he or she is. The good news is that, whatever the cause, age spots are usually benign. They typically pose no threat to a person’s overall health. At his practice, Dr. Gurgen specializes in identifying this and other skin conditions, providing effective treatment methods as needed.