Solar Lentigo
Also known as: Age Spot, Liver Spot, Sun Spot
Flat brown spots from cumulative sun exposure. Completely harmless - but sometimes confused with lentigo maligna (early melanoma).
What to look for
Side-by-side comparison
Normal skin
Even tone
Solar lentigo
Flat brown spot, stable
Solar lentigines are flat, well-defined, uniformly tan to dark brown spots caused by cumulative ultraviolet exposure. They are extremely common, appearing on the face, hands, forearms, shoulders, and chest of virtually everyone with significant sun exposure history.
They are completely benign and have no malignant potential. However, their clinical importance lies in their resemblance to lentigo maligna - a form of melanoma in situ that also appears as a flat brown patch on sun-damaged facial skin.
Key differences: solar lentigines are uniformly colored with well-defined, regular borders. Lentigo maligna shows color variation (multiple shades of brown), irregular borders, and tends to slowly enlarge. Dermoscopy in the hands of a trained clinician can reliably distinguish the two.
Treatment is purely cosmetic: topical retinoids, hydroquinone, chemical peels, laser therapy, and cryotherapy can lighten or remove solar lentigines. The most effective prevention is consistent sunscreen use and UV avoidance.
Quick self-check
Does this look like solar lentigo? Answer 2 questions.
Is it a flat, uniformly brown spot with even borders?
Has it been stable in size and color?
Risk factors
- Cumulative sun exposure
- Fair skin
- Age over 40
- History of sunburns
- Tanning bed use
When to see a dermatologist
- ⚠An age spot that is changing shape, developing irregular borders, or showing multiple colors
- ⚠A brown patch on the face that is slowly enlarging (may be lentigo maligna)
- ⚠Any pigmented lesion you are unsure about
Often confused with
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Full ABCDE check →Frequently asked questions
Can age spots become cancer?
Solar lentigines themselves do not become cancerous. However, lentigo maligna (a form of early melanoma) can look similar. Any flat brown spot that is changing, enlarging, or developing irregular features should be evaluated.
How can I fade age spots?
Options include topical retinoids, vitamin C serums, hydroquinone, chemical peels, IPL (intense pulsed light), and laser treatment. Daily broad-spectrum sunscreen SPF 30+ is essential to prevent new spots and recurrence after treatment.
Related conditions
Lentigo Maligna
The earliest stage of a specific melanoma type. A slowly expanding flat brown patch on sun-damaged facial skin.
Seborrheic Keratosis
Waxy, stuck-on growths - the most common benign tumor in adults over 50. Harmless but frequently mistaken for melanoma.
Melasma
Brown or gray-brown facial patches triggered by hormones and sun. Extremely common in women during pregnancy or on birth control.