Lentigo is a common type of skin spot that has a dark color and a defined edge. It can be found on any part of your body and is most often caused by sun damage or exposure to radiation. There are ...

Understanding the Context

A lentigo is a clearly defined, pigmented macule that results from sun exposure. Unlike a freckle, it does not fade over time. Images below demonstrate the various possible forms. What is solar lentigo?

Key Insights

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. What is lentigo maligna? Lentigo maligna is a precursor to lentigo maligna melanoma, a potentially serious form of skin cancer.

Final Thoughts

Lentigo maligna is also known as Hutchinson melanotic freckle. Lentigo simplex is a common lesion and usually appears in childhood. Key features include mild epidermal acanthosis, increased numbers of uniformly dispersed single melanocytes without atypia in the basal layer and variable basal hyperpigmentation (figures 1, 2). Lentigo simplex is the most common form of lentigo. A single lesion or multiple lesions (lentigines) may be present at birth or more commonly first develop in early childhood. What are brown spots and freckles?

Brown spots and freckles on sun- exposed skin are ephelides (the plural of ephelis) and lentigines (the plural of lentigo). The difference between an ephelis and a lentigo is that an ephelis fades during the winter months while a lentigo persists in the absence of ultraviolet (UV) stimulation. Lentigo, lentigines images. Authoritative facts about the skin from DermNet New Zealand.