Solar Lentigo

Solar lentigo is a harmless patch of darkened skin. It results from exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which causes local proliferation of melanocytes and accumulation of melanin within the skin cells (keratinocytes). Solar lentigos or lentigines are very common, especially in people over the age of 40 years. Sometimes they are also known as an “old age spot” or “senile freckle”.

What Does a Solar Lentigo Look Like?

A solar lentigo is a flat, well-circumscribed patch. It can be round, oval or irregular in shape. Colour varies from skin-coloured, tan to dark brown or black, and size varies from a few millimetres to several centimetres in diameter. They can be slightly scaly.

Solar lentigines are found as groups of similar lesions on sun-exposed sites, particularly the face or the back of hands. They occur in light and dark skin, but tend to be more numerous in fair-skinned individuals.

What Treatments are Available for Solar Lentigo?

If left untreated, solar lentigo will most likely persist indefinitely. There are multiple ablative lasers that could be used to expel these spots but it varies for each individual. In this video, Dr Thean will share with you the different type of brown pigmentations and the treatment solutions. If you would like to learn more about your condition, please visit us for a detailed consultation, we will customised a suitable treatment plan according to your needs.