Many people tend to develop liver spots (age or sun spots) as they get older. These spots actually have nothing to do with your liver and everything to do with the sun – sun exposure that is. A lot of liver spots (they’re called liver spots because people once believed these spots were brought on by liver problems) can be mistaken for melanoma. For those who don’t now, melanoma is a serious type of skin cancer that’s expected to kill nearly 10,000 people this year alone, according to cancer.org.
“Liver spots are flat, brown, or tan benign spots. Though their appearance may vary, true sunspots are not cancerous or dangerous,” says Dr. Michelle Henry, a board-certified dermatologist at Sadick Dermatology in New York.
Whenever you notice a new spot on your face or anywhere on your body for that matter, it’s best to schedule an appointment with your dermatologist right away. The sooner the exam, the better. And yes, we’re talking to all you beautiful brown gods and goddesses out there. For the record: African Americans get skin cancer, too!
The Real Differences Between Liver Spots & Melanoma was originally published on blackdoctor.org
