How are age spots diagnosed?

How are age spots diagnosed?

A dermatologist can usually identify an age spot by looking at its color, size, and shape. Your doctor will examine your skin and feel for any raised areas. If the spot is raised rather than flat, it may be another type of benign growth called seborrheic keratosis.

Your doctor may decide to test a sample of the age spot by taking a skin biopsy. A skin biopsy takes a few minutes and can be done right in your doctor’s office. Using a local anesthetic, your doctor will remove a small piece of the age spot and send it away to a lab for testing.