skin disorders
Hyperpigmentation
Lentigines
Lentigines (commonly called age spots or liver spots [but are not related to liver problems]) are flat, tan to brown, oval spots on the skin. A single spot is called a lentigo. They are a type of localized hyperpigmentation. There are two types of lentigines: Solar Nonsolar Solar lentiginesare caused by sun exposure and are the most common type of lentigo. They occur most frequently on areas that are exposed to the sun, such as the face and back of the hands. They typically first appear during middle age and increase in number as people age. Lentigines are noncancerous (benign), but people who have them may be at higher risk of melanoma. are not caused by sun exposure. Nonsolar lentigines sometimes occur in people with certain rare hereditary disorders, such as Hereditary conditions that cause intestinal polyps (characterized by many lentigines on the lips and polyps in the stomach and intestine), xeroderma pigmentosum, and multiple lentigines syndrome (LEOPARD syndrome). If people do not have too many lentigines but are troubled by their appearance, doctors can remove them with freezing treatments (cryotherapy) or laser therapy. Bleaching agents such ashydroquinoneare not effective. 