Age spot and freckles- two things a man or a woman would never want to see on their face. What in the world are these spots all over your face and how did they get there? If you are dealing with age spots and freckles all over your face, what can be done about it? Lentigines (age spots) and ephelides (freckles) are tan, black, or brown spots that appear over time due to excessive sun exposure. Many people try to avoid such dark spots on the skin. However, many people in the United States and other parts of the world where people have lighter skin spend hours laying in coffin-like spaces to "tan". Others choose to lie out in the hot sun to get the "sun kissed glow". Within years, those same people look in the mirror and find these dark spots all over their face, back, and other areas of the skin. Lentigines are superficial collections of skin pigment called melanin which have accumulated within the top layer of skin called the epidermis. Ephelides are common in lighter type skin in individuals who sunburn easily. Lentigines are seen on people of all ages with all skin types. Freckles are formed by extensive exposure to UV radiation. After extensive sun exposure, the outer layer of the skin begins to thicken and darken, to protect the skin from future damage. You may wonder what cause these spots. Lentigines and Ephelides are caused by sun exposure. These spots usually do not appear until later in life. It is often dangerous to spend time in the sun for extended periods of time, because you do not see the damage until later in life. The best way to prevent Lentigines and Ephelides is to avoid serious sun exposure and to always wear a good sun screen and to apply it often. People with lighter complexions are far more sensitive to the sun do to their lower levels of melanin.