Solar Lentigo (Sun Spots)

Solar Lentigo Treatment in Melbourne (Ivanhoe + Diamond Creek)

Solar lentigines (singular: solar lentigo) are very common, harmless, flat brown marks that develop on sun-exposed skin over time. People often call them “sun spots” or “age spots”. They are benign (not cancer), but because some early skin cancers can look similar, it’s important to have changing or unusual lesions assessed.

What causes solar lentigines?

A solar lentigo is a flat, well-defined area of increased pigment that persists (unlike freckles, which often fade in winter). (1,3)

They are most common on:

Face (especially cheeks/temples)
Backs of hands and forearms
Shoulders, chest, upper back

[Book a 20 minute appointment]
Doctor-led assessment with Dr Chris Irwin, including dermatoscopic review where appropriate.

Optional: if you’re interested in having solar lentigo treated with laser, chemical peels or want help selecting the right pigment routine and maintenance plan, consider booking a combined 20 minute medical appointment followed by a 40 minute dermal therapist appointment [automed – combined solar lentigo booking]

Key takeaways

Solar lentigines are driven by cumulative UV exposure and often appear alongside other signs of sun damage. (1,3)
Treatment is optional, but many people choose treatment for cosmetic reasons. (1)
For isolated spots, pigment lasers (Q-switched / picosecond) are often the most precise option; for widespread sun damage and multiple spots, IPL can be a better “whole-area” approach. (4–6)
For selected single spots, Er:YAG (erbium) ablative laser can be used, but it generally has more downtime than pigment lasers. (1)
The best long-term strategy is UV protection, because ongoing UV drives new spots and recurrence. (1,7)

What causes sun spots?

The main cause is cumulative ultraviolet (UV) exposure from sunlight (and solariums). Over years, repeated UV exposure leads to localised pigment changes in the epidermis (top layer of skin), often alongside other sun-damage changes in the surrounding skin. (1,3)

What is it histologically?

On microscopy, a typical solar lentigo shows:

Increased melanin (pigment) in the basal layer of the epidermis
Often a mild increase in melanocytes, particularly at the tips of elongated rete ridges
“Bulb-like” or elongated rete ridges can be seen, and solar elastosis (sun damage) is commonly present in the dermis beneath.¹ ²

In plain language: it’s mostly a pigment pattern change driven by UV exposure, rather than a “mole growth”.

How is it different from a mole (naevus)?

A mole (melanocytic naevus) is a benign growth made from clusters (“nests”) of melanocytes/naevus cells.

A solar lentigo is different:

melanocytes may be slightly increased, but they are generally dispersed rather than forming nests
much of the visible pigment relates to pigment within epidermal cells

Why this matters: both can look brown, but they are biologically different lesions and are assessed differently under dermoscopy and (if needed) histology. (1–3)

When should a “sun spot” be checked?

Most solar lentigines are harmless, but some important lesions can mimic them — especially on the face, including lentigo maligna (melanoma in situ). Dermoscopy helps, but if there is uncertainty, a biopsy may be required for definitive diagnosis. (1,3)

Seek review if a spot is:

new and enlarging in adulthood
becoming more irregular in shape or border
developing multiple colours (brown/black/grey/blue/red/white)
symptomatic (itchy, tender), crusting, bleeding, or persistently inflamed
clearly “different” from your other spots (“ugly duckling”)

If your main concern is skin cancer risk rather than cosmetics, see Skin cancer types and information.

Treatment options (overview)

Treatment is optional. The best choice depends on the spot’s size/location, your skin type, and your preference. Recurrence can occur, especially without strong UV protection. (1,4)

Quick guide (how we choose)

Isolated, well-defined spots (face/hands): often best suited to pigment laser
Selected single spots (when appropriate): Er:YAG (erbium) ablative laser can be considered, but usually has more downtime than pigment lasers
Gradual improvement / maintenance: topical lightening agents can help, especially when treating broader areas

For a deeper explanation of pigment lasers and light devices, see Laser & Light Treatments hub.
If you’re prone to pigment rebound or post-inflammatory pigmentation, you may also find Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation helpful.

Pigment lasers (Q-switched / picosecond)

Pigment lasers deliver extremely short pulses of energy that are selectively absorbed by melanin. This breaks pigment into tiny fragments that your body clears over days to weeks.

Why pigment lasers are often the “go-to” for discrete sun spots

high precision for individual lesions
excellent cosmetic outcomes in appropriate patients
often 1–2 sessions per spot, depending on depth and darkness (4,5)

What to expect

the spot often darkens immediately after treatment
a light crust may form and sheds over ~7–10 days
strict sun avoidance and protection is essential afterwards

Important: not every brown mark is a simple lentigo. Any lesion with atypical features should be assessed (and sometimes biopsied) before cosmetic removal. (1,3)

Er:YAG (erbium) ablative laser (selected single spots)

Er:YAG ablative laser works by precisely resurfacing very thin layers of the epidermis, removing the superficial pigment as the area heals.

When we consider erbium

selected, well-defined lesions where an ablative approach is appropriate
when the clinical diagnosis is clear and it’s safe to treat cosmetically

Trade-offs compared with pigment lasers

generally more downtime than Q-switched/picosecond pigment lasers
more redness, crusting, and a longer healing phase
careful aftercare and strict sun protection are essential to reduce pigment rebound (1)

Topical lightening agents (gradual)

Topicals won’t remove a discrete lentigo as quickly as a pigment laser, but they can be useful when:

there are many areas of pigment
you want gradual improvement
you’re combining with procedural options and maintenance

Preventing recurrence (UV protection)

Even if a spot is removed or lightened, ongoing UV exposure can cause new spots and can darken/bring back existing ones. (1)

Daily sunscreen use has evidence for reducing progression of visible photoageing in randomised trial data. (7)

Practical habits:

broad-spectrum SPF daily on exposed areas
reapply when outdoors (especially prolonged exposure)
hats, sunglasses, protective clothing, shade
avoid solariums

FAQs

Are solar lentigines dangerous?

They’re benign, but they sit in the broader context of sun damage — and some early skin cancers can mimic them. That’s why changing or atypical spots should be assessed. (1,3)

Will they come back after laser?

They can, particularly with ongoing UV exposure. Prevention is largely sun protection and long-term maintenance. (1,7)

What’s the best treatment for a single spot on the face?

Often a pigment laser is the most precise option, but the first step is confirming the lesion is suitable (i.e., a benign lentigo). (1,4,5)

I have lots of spots — what’s the best approach?

Often a broader plan (Booking a combined appointment – 20 minutes with Dr. Chris followed by a 40 minute dermal therapist appointment) is more practical than treating each spot individually. (6,8)

Book

If you have a “sun spot” you want checked, or you’d like treatment options that prioritise cosmetic outcome and safety:

[Book a 20 minute appointment] (Dr. Chris)

Combined doctor and dermal therapist appointment [Book 20 minute Dr. Chris, 40 minute dermal]

Ivanhoe: Unit 1, 1065 Heidelberg Road, Ivanhoe VIC 3079
Diamond Creek: Shop 12, 67 Main Hurstbridge Road, Diamond Creek VIC 3089

References

DermNet NZ. Solar lentigo. https://dermnetnz.org/topics/solar-lentigo
DermNet NZ. Lentigo pathology (histology features). https://dermnetnz.org/topics/lentigo-pathology
DermNet NZ. Brown spots, lentigos and freckles (differential diagnosis). https://dermnetnz.org/topics/brown-spots-and-freckles
Bohnert K, et al. Prospective, randomized, double-blinded split-face pilot study comparing 1064-nm Nd:YAG vs dual-pulsed 532/1064-nm Q-switched laser for solar lentigines. (2018). PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29482397/
Noh TK, et al. Comparative Q-switched Nd:YAG laser approaches for lentigines. PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26551773/
Maitriwong P, et al. IPL for pigmentation/photodamage (KP trial demonstrates roughness improvement; broader IPL lentigo evidence summarised in reviews). PMC: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6937144/
Hughes MCB, et al. Sunscreen and prevention of skin aging: a randomized trial. (2013). PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23732711/

Fleischer AB Jr, et al. Mequinol 2% (4-hydroxyanisole) + tretinoin 0.01% improves solar lentigines: two double-blind multicenter clinical studies. (2000). PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10688717/

Solar lentigo (Sun spots)