Solar lentigines (liver spots, early seborrheic keratosis)

What are solar lentigines?

• Solar lentigines are brown spots 1 cm or greater in diameter, occurring usually on the face and back of the hands.
• Solar lentigines are evidence of excessive sunlight exposure.
• They are found in individuals over 40 years of age, especially if they have a long history of working outdoors.

How are solar lentigines treated?

• One should avoid the sun and use a sunscreen.

• Topical treatment can be tried first which includes:

1. 4 methoxyphenol (at 2% concentration) (hydroquinone is ineffective) to apply every other day.
2. Retinoic acid (at 0.025% concentration) to apply every other day.

• Destructive treatment is also effective and includes:

1. liquid nitrogen application
2. laser (NDYAG) or IPL treatment
3. and chemical peel are effective in removing the lesion.

Contributors:

Dr Christophe HSU – dermatologist. Geneva, Switzerland

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