Who hasn’t sighed in front of the mirror after spotting a new mark or a more pronounced wrinkle? It’s a familiar scene for many women. The culprits? The usual suspects: the passing of time, of course—but also our hectic lifestyles, stress, sometimes poor diet, and above all, our worst best friend: the sun.

Exposure to UV rays weakens our skin from within, speeding up the loss of collagen and elasticity. The result? Skin becomes thinner, less firm, and pigmentation irregularities like those infamous brown spots begin to show. Fortunately, it’s never too late to give your skin the love it needs and restore its glow—naturally.

Why Do These Spots Appear?

The spots that show up on our hands—especially as we age—are often called age spots or liver spots. Their real name? Solar lentigines. They’re primarily caused by years of repeated sun exposure. It’s like your skin keeps a tally of every UV ray it’s ever absorbed… and eventually, it shows.

Here’s what’s happening: these spots form when the production of melanin (your skin’s natural pigment) becomes uneven. The sun stimulates melanin, but over time, it can start to concentrate in certain areas, forming these flat, brownish patches of various sizes. They’re especially common on the hands—an area we often forget to protect, even though it’s exposed every single day.

Natural aging also plays a role. Skin becomes thinner, more delicate, and less able to recover. These spots are generally harmless, but if you notice any changes in shape, color, or texture, it’s best to have them checked.

The good news? There are treatments to reduce their appearance—and simple habits that can help prevent them.