ConditionSkin, hair & nails
Solar Lentigo (Sun Spot, Age Spot)
A solar lentigo is a flat, well-defined, tan to dark-brown patch of skin caused by long-term sun exposure. Plural: solar lentigines. They are commonly called sun spots, age spots or liver spots, and appear on the face, backs of the hands, forearms, shoulders and upper back, mostly after age 40. They are harmless and do not become cancer, but they mark sun damage, and a changing or irregular spot needs checking to rule out melanoma. Laser, freezing and creams can lighten them.
Also called: Sun spots, age spots, liver spots, senile lentigo, actinic lentigo, solar lentigines
At a glance
- What it is
- A benign increase in pigment cells and melanin from chronic UV exposure.
- Looks like
- Flat, uniform, tan to brown spot, a few mm to 2 cm or more, sharp borders.
- Where
- Face, backs of hands, forearms, shoulders, upper back.
- Risk
- Harmless, but a marker of sun damage and higher skin cancer risk.
- Treatment
- Optional: laser, intense pulsed light, cryotherapy, chemical peels, prescription lightening creams; daily sunscreen.
When to get help
See a doctor within a day or two
- A spot that is changing quickly in size, shape or color, bleeding or itching
- A dark spot with irregular borders, several colors (black, blue, red, white), or larger than 6 mm that looks different from your other spots
Book a routine appointment
- A new or changing flat brown patch on the face in an older adult (possible lentigo maligna)
- Many sun spots or a history of heavy sun exposure: a full-body skin check
- Wishing to have sun spots lightened or removed
Usually safe to manage at home
- Stable, uniform flat brown spots on sun-exposed skin that have looked the same for years
How solar lentigines form
Years of ultraviolet (UV) exposure stimulate the pigment-producing cells (melanocytes) in the skin to multiply and produce more melanin, which collects in the outer skin layer. The skin's ridges at the base of the epidermis also lengthen. Unlike freckles, which fade in winter, solar lentigines are permanent unless treated.
Who gets them
- adults over 40, with numbers increasing with age
- people with fair skin who burn easily, though all skin types can develop them
- people with a history of heavy sun exposure, sunburns or tanning bed use
- people who have had PUVA or other UV treatment
Solar lentigo vs other spots
| Spot | Features |
|---|---|
| Solar lentigo | Flat, uniform tan or brown, sharp border, sun-exposed skin, stable |
| Freckle (ephelis) | Small, light brown, appears in childhood, darkens in summer, fades in winter |
| Seborrheic keratosis | Raised, waxy, "stuck-on" look; can develop from a lentigo |
| Melasma | Symmetrical blotchy patches on cheeks, forehead, upper lip; hormonal |
| Actinic keratosis | Rough, scaly, pink or tan; precancerous |
| Lentigo maligna | Irregular, multicolored, slowly enlarging flat patch on the face; early melanoma in situ |
| Melanoma | Asymmetric, irregular border, multiple colors, enlarging or changing |
The ABCDEs of melanoma
Have a spot checked if it shows:
- Asymmetry
- Border irregularity
- Color variation
- Diameter larger than 6 mm (though melanomas can be smaller)
- Evolving: changing in size, shape, color or symptoms
The "ugly duckling" sign, a spot that looks different from the others, is also a warning.
Diagnosis
A dermatologist diagnoses solar lentigines by appearance, often using a dermatoscope to see the pigment pattern. A biopsy is taken if a spot is atypical, changing, or could be lentigo maligna, especially before laser or freezing treatment, which would destroy the evidence.
Treatment
Treatment is cosmetic and optional.
Procedures
- Q-switched or picosecond lasers: target pigment and often clear spots in 1 to 2 sessions
- Intense pulsed light (IPL): treats many spots at once
- Cryotherapy: freezing with liquid nitrogen; can lighten skin more than intended, especially in darker skin
- Chemical peels and microdermabrasion for multiple spots
Creams
- Hydroquinone, alone or combined with a retinoid and mild steroid (triple combination cream)
- Tretinoin and other retinoids
- Azelaic acid, kojic acid, vitamin C and niacinamide, with modest effect
- Results take weeks to months, and spots can return without sun protection
Side effects of procedures include temporary redness, crusting, and darker or lighter patches, particularly in people with darker skin.
Prevention
- broad-spectrum sunscreen SPF 30 or higher every day on exposed skin, reapplied every 2 hours outdoors
- hats with wide brims, sunglasses and protective clothing
- seek shade between 10 am and 4 pm
- avoid tanning beds
Frequently asked questions
Are solar lentigines cancerous?
No. Solar lentigines are benign and do not turn into cancer. However, they show that the skin has had significant sun exposure, which increases the risk of skin cancers. Any spot that is irregular or changing should be checked.
How can I tell a sun spot from melanoma?
Sun spots are flat, evenly colored, with smooth, sharp edges, and stay the same over time. Melanoma tends to be asymmetric, with irregular borders, several colors, and changes in size or shape. When in doubt, see a dermatologist.
Do sun spots go away on their own?
No. Unlike freckles, solar lentigines usually persist and may darken with further sun exposure. They can be lightened with creams or removed with laser, light or freezing treatments.
What is the best treatment for sun spots?
Lasers and intense pulsed light are among the most effective, often clearing spots in one or two sessions. Prescription creams like hydroquinone and retinoids work more slowly. Daily sunscreen is essential to prevent new spots and recurrence.
Sources
This guide was written from current patient and clinical guidance, including:
- American Academy of Dermatology: Age spots, how to treat; Melanoma ABCDEs
- Skin Cancer Foundation: Sun damage and lentigines
- DermNet: Solar lentigo
- MedlinePlus: Aging changes in skin
- Cleveland Clinic: Age spots (solar lentigines)