Lentigenes also known as sun spots, liver spots. Lentigo (plural lentigines) is a small, pigmented flat or slightly raised spot. These lesions are flat, tan, brown, or dark brown spots on sun-exposed skin. These spots more than anything else, give away a person's age. Lentigenes are associated with cumulative sun exposure. The pigment producing cells in the skin (called melanocytes) are activated to produce more pigment (melanin) by ultraviolet rays. While these spots are not themselves cancerous, you may be at risk for skin cancer if you have them. Lentigines may evolve slowly over years. They may occur anywhere on the body and vary in colour from tan-brown to black. Melanocytes appear to replace keratinocytes in the basal layer of the epidermis.



Lentigenes are extremely common after the age of 40. They occur most often on the backs of the hands, on the forearms, shoulder, face, and forehead, areas of highest sun exposure. A biopsy should be considered if a lesion develops a highly irregular border, changes in pigmentation, or changes in the thickness to rule out cancer. The main symptom is a skin lesion that is a painless, flat patch or macule (area of skin color change). Lentigenes typically take years to form, though they have been found in young children, and eliminating the spots will also take time. Lentigines are usually benign therefore treatment is not necessary. For cosmetic purposes, some successful treatments include: cryotherapy, hydroquinone preparations (bleaching preparations), retinoids, chemical peels or lasers.

Laser therapy destroys the extra melanocytes that create the dark pigment without damaging the skin's surface. A broad-spectrum sunscreen may help to prevent further appearance and darkening of solar lentigines. Several creams may lighten lentigines if applied for a number of months. Always wear good large hats, long sleeved shirts, long skirts or pants, umbrellas, gloves, and any sort of clothing that will help protect your skin. Use high quality sunscreens, preferably with SPF (sun protection factor) ratings of at least 15. Apply sunscreen at least a half hour before exposure, and reapply frequently. Sunscreen should be applied at least one-half hour before sun exposure and it should be reapplied frequently. Sun protection is strongly advised lentigenes treatment.

Lentigenes Treatment and Prevention Tips

1. Use liberal amounts of sunscreen before the age of forty.

2. Avoid the sun, and wear protective clothing.

3. Use sunglasses to protect the eyes.

4. Topical vitamin C treatment is effective for treating sun spots.

5. Retin-A cream is applied to the spots once a day for six months.

6. Liquid nitrogen therapy is the quickest way to get rid of lentigines.

7. Lentigines can also be treated with an alpha hydroxyacid peel.

8. Wear protective clothing such as hats, long-sleeved shirts, long skirts, or pants.