Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTypes of LentiginesSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Types of Lentigines
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Frequently Asked Questions
This story will outline information on lentigines, including types, causes, treatments, and when to seek medical help.
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Lentigo is a singular word. Lentigines refers to more than one lentigo. Some people also use the term lentigos.
There are many different types of lentigines. Identifying the type you have can help you recognize the cause and whether there are treatment options available. Here are common types of lentigines.
Solar Lentigo
Aging Spots on Legs: What’s Normal and What’s Not
Lentigo Simplex
Lentigo simplex is a type of lentigo that appears during childhood. It’s not associated with exposure to the sun.Researchers don’t know what causes lentigo simplex. However, there’s some evidence that lentigines may be more common inkids with atopic dermatitis(eczema).
Lentigo After Exposure
Certain types of lentigines appear soon after exposure to UV rays. These include:
Lentigo maligna melanomaLentigo malignamelanomais a type of skin cancer. Though it shares part of a name, it’s not a benign lentigo. It appears most often on people over 40 and in areas of the body that are exposed to the sun, like the face and hands. Because lentigo maligna melanoma mimics benign age spots, it’s often misdiagnosed. This type of skin cancer has a good prognosis but requires treatment, so it’s critical to get an accurate diagnosis.
Lentigo maligna melanoma
Lentigo malignamelanomais a type of skin cancer. Though it shares part of a name, it’s not a benign lentigo. It appears most often on people over 40 and in areas of the body that are exposed to the sun, like the face and hands. Because lentigo maligna melanoma mimics benign age spots, it’s often misdiagnosed. This type of skin cancer has a good prognosis but requires treatment, so it’s critical to get an accurate diagnosis.
Lentigo Symptoms
The most common symptom of a lentigo is a darker area of skin. The area of skin is darker than your surrounding skin tone. They may appear tan, brown, or black. A lentigo usually has clearly defined edges and a consistent color throughout.Unlike freckles, lentigines do not fade during the winter or other times of reduced UV exposure.
A lentigo does not cause pain or present physical discomfort.However, you may find that the changes to your skin appearance impact your self-confidence.
A lentigo maligna melanoma is associated with other symptoms including:ItchingColor variation throughoutChanging or undefined edgesPainBurning sensationBleedingIf you experience these symptoms from a lentigo, see your dermatologist to discuss your concerns.
A lentigo maligna melanoma is associated with other symptoms including:
If you experience these symptoms from a lentigo, see your dermatologist to discuss your concerns.
Researchers aren’t sure what causes lentigo simplex, which is not associated with UV exposure.
Most lentigines do not require treatment.However, some people want to lighten lentigines for aesthetic reasons. This is most common with solar lentigines.
A lentigo will respond to treatment more effectively if you begin treating it when it first appears. Although treatments often can’t eliminate a lentigo entirely, they can help make them less noticeable, which may improve your self-confidence.
Over-the-Counter Treatments
Over-the-counter skin products that are designed to lighten lentigines or age spots are common. Products that contain kojic acid, glycolic acid, vitamin C, andhydroquinonemay help. You might need to use them for a long time before you notice a difference.
Prescription Treatments
Procedures
A dermatologist can also guide you toward procedures that may lighten a lentigo. These procedures can be more effective than home remedies for lightening a lentigo. However, they may come with cost considerations and other side effects, so it’s important to have a frank conversation with your doctor about their benefits and drawbacks.
The procedures that can help with lentigo include:
Summary
A lentigo is a patch of darkened skin. It is harmless and often appears with age and chronic exposure to the sun. A lentigo has even color throughout and does not fade after you spend time out of the sun. A lentigo usually does not have physical symptoms. If you experience symptoms like itching, burning, or pain, it may be a sign of skin cancer. Though lentigo does not require treatment, over-the-counter and prescription creams as well as procedures can help make the appearance less noticeable.
A Word From Verywell
Changes to your appearance can be vexing. but they’re a normal part of aging. Though they are not harmful, it’s important to make sure that you see your dermatologist if you experience any signs of skin cancer, including spots that are itchy, painful, or changing shape.
No, a lentigo is not cancer. However, there is a type of cancer called lentigo maligna melanoma, which looks like a lentigo but is cancerous. If you have concerns about cancer, see a dermatologist. They are qualified to help distinguish between cancerous and non-cancerous skin markings.
Yes, it is possible for some types of lentigo to turn into melanoma. This generally takes a long time—more than 28 years on average.Not all lentigo will turn into melanoma—many are truly harmless. However, because it can be difficult to tell which can develop into cancer, it’s important to stay in touch with your dermatologist, who can monitor for any concerning symptoms.
It’s not possible to remove lentigines, and it’s often not possible to make them disappear completely. However, there are prescription and over-the-counter treatments and procedures that may reduce the appearance of lentigines.
9 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Lentigines.MedlinePlus.Liver spots.Ngan, Vanessa.Lentigo simplex. DermNet.ScienceDirect Topics.Lentigo.Bottoni U, Nisticò S, Amoruso GF, et al.Ink spot lentigo: singular clinical features in a case series of patients.Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol. 2013;26(4):953-955.Rhodes AR, Stern RS, Melski JW.The PUVA lentigo: an analysis of predisposing factors.Journal of Investigative Dermatology. 1983;81(5):459-463. doi: 10.1111/1523-1747.ep12522663Xiong M, Charifa A, Chen CSJ.Lentigo maligna melanoma.StatPearls. 2022.Lehrman, Craig.Can you get rid of age spots?The Ohio State University.Cancer Treatment Centers of America.Lentigo malign melanoma. May 27, 2022.
9 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Lentigines.MedlinePlus.Liver spots.Ngan, Vanessa.Lentigo simplex. DermNet.ScienceDirect Topics.Lentigo.Bottoni U, Nisticò S, Amoruso GF, et al.Ink spot lentigo: singular clinical features in a case series of patients.Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol. 2013;26(4):953-955.Rhodes AR, Stern RS, Melski JW.The PUVA lentigo: an analysis of predisposing factors.Journal of Investigative Dermatology. 1983;81(5):459-463. doi: 10.1111/1523-1747.ep12522663Xiong M, Charifa A, Chen CSJ.Lentigo maligna melanoma.StatPearls. 2022.Lehrman, Craig.Can you get rid of age spots?The Ohio State University.Cancer Treatment Centers of America.Lentigo malign melanoma. May 27, 2022.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Lentigines.MedlinePlus.Liver spots.Ngan, Vanessa.Lentigo simplex. DermNet.ScienceDirect Topics.Lentigo.Bottoni U, Nisticò S, Amoruso GF, et al.Ink spot lentigo: singular clinical features in a case series of patients.Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol. 2013;26(4):953-955.Rhodes AR, Stern RS, Melski JW.The PUVA lentigo: an analysis of predisposing factors.Journal of Investigative Dermatology. 1983;81(5):459-463. doi: 10.1111/1523-1747.ep12522663Xiong M, Charifa A, Chen CSJ.Lentigo maligna melanoma.StatPearls. 2022.Lehrman, Craig.Can you get rid of age spots?The Ohio State University.Cancer Treatment Centers of America.Lentigo malign melanoma. May 27, 2022.
American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Lentigines.
MedlinePlus.Liver spots.
Ngan, Vanessa.Lentigo simplex. DermNet.
ScienceDirect Topics.Lentigo.
Bottoni U, Nisticò S, Amoruso GF, et al.Ink spot lentigo: singular clinical features in a case series of patients.Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol. 2013;26(4):953-955.
Rhodes AR, Stern RS, Melski JW.The PUVA lentigo: an analysis of predisposing factors.Journal of Investigative Dermatology. 1983;81(5):459-463. doi: 10.1111/1523-1747.ep12522663
Xiong M, Charifa A, Chen CSJ.Lentigo maligna melanoma.StatPearls. 2022.
Lehrman, Craig.Can you get rid of age spots?The Ohio State University.
Cancer Treatment Centers of America.Lentigo malign melanoma. May 27, 2022.
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