Brown Spots
Your grandma called them ‘liver spots’, your mom called them ‘age spots’, but do those pesky brown spots on our face and hands really come from our liver or from growing old?
Brown spots are also known as “solar lentigo” or lentigines.
Brown Spots on Face
Brown spots on Hands
Brown spots on Back or Chest
A lentigo is circumscribed (circular in shape) and somewhat irregularly shaped light tan to brown color spots. It typically measures about 1 cm to 3cm but can be larger. A lentigo is normally flat and smooth appearing, however, it can appear thickened and scaly.
The sun is the major cause of lentigines. Acute (sunburn) or chronic exposure to the sun causes a localized proliferation (overgrowth) of melanocytes (cells that pigment the skin).
Solar damage is an accumulative effect. We usually see lentigines start as early as people in their 30’s and 40’s.
Solar damage is an accumulative effect. We usually see lentigines start as early as people in their 30’s and 40’s.
Typically lentigines occur on sun exposed areas of the body. Forehead, cheeks, back shoulders, arms, shins and chest.
No. Freckles (Ephelis) are due to genetics, specifically the presence of dominant melanocortin 1 receptor gene variants. Lentigines are due to solar damage. Freckles fade in the winter Lentigines do not.
The answer is yes and no. Lentigines on the face, hands and chest can be treated with Laser therapy (IPL) intense pulsed light. The face can also be treated with products that lightened such as Hydroquinone and Retin-A products.