Preparing for an appointment

You're likely to start by seeing your primary care doctor, who may then refer you to a dermatologist.

Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions, such as:

• When did you first notice the spots on your skin?
• Did the spots appear gradually or quickly?
• Have you noticed any other changes in the appearance of your skin?
• Is the condition itchy, tender or otherwise bothersome?
• Have you experienced frequent or severe sunburns?
• How often are you exposed to the sun or UV radiation?
• Do you regularly protect your skin from UV radiation?
• What kind of sun protection do you use?
• Do you have a family history of age spots or skin cancer?
• What medications do you take?

Questions you may want to ask your doctor include:

• What suspicious changes in my skin should I look for?
• If the spots are age spots, what can I do to improve the appearance of my skin?
• Do treatments make them go away completely, or do they just lighten the age spots?
• Could these spots turn into skin cancer?