Lentigo
Frequency
Common
Age Group
Adults & Elderly
Progression
Chronic
Contagious
No
Lentigo is a benign flat or slightly raised brown spot caused by increased melanin in the skin, often from long‑term sun exposure. It’s very common after age 35 and especially in older adults, usually harmless, and mainly a cosmetic issue. The main concern is to distinguish simple lentigo from lentigo maligna or melanoma, which can look similar. Regular checks with a dermatologist and using our AI skin analysis for routine monitoring help keep things safe.
This is general information. With a scan you'll receive a detailed, personalized analysis — including individual risk assessment, progression tracking and recommended actions.
Lentigo develops when certain skin cells produce extra melanin, usually after years of UV exposure from the sun or tanning beds. Age, fair skin, hormones, genetics, and sometimes previous skin damage or radiation also play a role. In younger people, lentigo is less common and can be linked to hormonal or metabolic issues. Often, several factors add up rather than one single cause.
Simple lentigo itself has a very low risk of turning into melanoma, similar to normal skin. The main risk is missing an early melanoma or lentigo maligna that looks like a harmless sun spot. Extra UV exposure, chronic irritation, and older age increase overall skin cancer risk. Regular self‑checks, our AI skin analysis, and periodic dermatologist visits help keep that risk under control.
Most lentigines don’t need treatment unless you dislike how they look or the spot is in a high‑risk area that gets constant friction. Options include surgical removal for single lesions and cosmetic methods like lasers, chemical peels, or light‑based treatments for multiple spots. Any destructive procedure should only be done after a dermatologist or oncologist has examined the lesion, ideally with dermatoscopy or biopsy if needed. After removal, the area should be monitored for any new or recurring pigment, using photos or our AI skin analysis.
You can reduce the chance of new lentigines and lower cancer risk by limiting UV exposure, avoiding tanning beds, and using broad‑spectrum sunscreen daily. Wear hats and protective clothing, and avoid chronic rubbing or irritation of the same skin areas. Follow safety rules if you work with radiation or skin‑damaging chemicals. Regular self‑checks, our AI skin analysis, and timely dermatologist visits are key for prevention and early detection.
See a dermatologist if a brown spot is new, changing, very dark, irregular, or starts to itch, bleed, or crust, or if you have many sun spots and a history of heavy sun exposure. Routine checks every 1–2 years are wise if you’re over 35, have fair skin, or many pigmented lesions. Use our AI skin analysis between visits to monitor your spots and decide when something needs a professional look.
Most lentigines are not urgent and can be checked at a routine dermatology visit. However, if a spot that looks like a sun or age spot starts changing quickly, becomes very dark or irregular, or begins to itch, bleed, or crust, you should see a dermatologist within weeks rather than months.
The information provided here is for educational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice. Always consult a dermatologist or physician if you have any concerns.
An open comedone, or blackhead, is a small plug of oil and dead skin that blocks the opening of a pore and turns dark when exposed to air. It is a non‑inflamed form of acne and most often appears on the face, neck, chest, back, and shoulders. Blackheads are usually harmless but can be a cosmetic concern and may progress to inflamed pimples if bacteria overgrow.
Milia are tiny, white or yellowish cysts just under the surface of the skin, most often seen on the face. They are harmless, not infectious, and usually cause only cosmetic concerns rather than health problems.
A closed comedone (whitehead) is a small clogged pore where sebum and dead skin cells are trapped under a thin layer of skin. It looks like a tiny, pale or skin‑colored bump without a black dot in the center and is considered a mild, non‑inflamed form of acne.
An acral nevus is a benign mole that appears on the palms of the hands or soles of the feet. It is usually small, evenly colored, and stable over time, and most do not turn into melanoma. Because melanoma can also appear on palms and soles, any new or changing spot in these areas should be checked by a dermatologist.
