Solar Lentigo (Age Spots)
Overview
What Is Solar Lentigo? (Also Known as Age Spots, Sunspots, or Liver Spots)
Solar lentigo is a harmless (benign) area of darkened skin where the body has produced an excess of melanin. Caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, solar lentigo (lentigines plural) is also more commonly known as age spots, sunspots, senile freckles or liver spots. These are not to be confused with freckles as, unlike freckles, they do not fade even in the winter.
Although these spots are benign, they can indicate that you are at a higher risk of developing skin cancer.
Solar lentigines are extremely common, and anyone can get them at any age, no matter their race; however, you are most likely to be at risk if you are fair-skinned and over the age of 40. If you fail to tan or sunburn easily, you are at an even greater risk.
Symptoms
Solar Lentigo Symptoms
Flat spots of darkened skin
Usually where exposed to sunlight or other UV rays
Spots are well defined
Solar lentigines have clearly defined borders, making them distinguishable from other types of pigmentation or skin conditions like melasma or moles.
Range in color
From light tan to very dark brown
Round and symmetrical in shape
Solar lentigo spots are typically round or oval in shape, and they maintain a consistent, symmetrical form – this can help distinguish them from potentially cancerous lesions.
Do not itch, bleed or cause pain
Unlike more serious skin conditions, solar lentigines are asymptomatic. They do not cause irritation, itching, bleeding, or discomfort, which is an indicator of their benign nature.
Diagnosis
Solar Lentigo Diagnosis
Verifying if you have developed a solar lentigo begins with a trip to your dermatologist. Your doctor will ask about your and your family’s medical history and examine the spots in question. If your doctor is concerned, they may biopsy the affected area.
Treatments
Solar Lentigo Treatments
It is not medically necessary to treat a solar lentigo. However, if you find them cosmetically offensive, there are possible treatments, including:
Chemical peels
Chemical peels use topical solutions—such as alpha hydroxy acids or trichloroacetic acid (TCA)—to exfoliate the outermost layer of skin, helping fade solar lentigines and improve skin tone over time.
Laser surgery removal
Laser treatments, including Q-switched or fractional lasers, target melanin in the pigmented areas to break it down. This method is highly precise and effective for removing solar lentigo with minimal damage to surrounding skin.
Cryotherapy (Freezing with Liquid Nitrogen)
This quick, in-office procedure involves applying liquid nitrogen to freeze the lentigo. The treated area flakes off within days, making this a popular option for isolated or smaller lesions.
Topical Bleaching Creams
Products containing hydroquinone or other skin-lightening agents can help reduce pigmentation over time.
Note: These treatments are often less effective than procedural options and may require prolonged use to see results.
Regularly apply sunscreen (a minimum of 30 SPF) even if you will be indoors and avoid exposure to sunlight or other UV rays to prevent a new solar lentigo from forming.
Start protecting your children early by regularly applying sunscreen.
Specialists
