Solar Lentigo

Solar lentigo is a circumscribed 1.0cm to 3.0cm brown patch resulting from a localized proliferation of melanocytes due to chronic exposure to sunlight.

Epidemiology & Etiology

Age: Usually over 40 years, but can occur at 30 years in sunny climates

Sex: No data available, probably equal incidence

Race: Most common in Caucasians, but saw at time in Orientals

Predisposing Factors: Generally correlated with skin phototypes I & II, and the duration and intensity a person had to solar exposure

Physical Examination – Skin Lesions

Type: Strictly macular, ranging in size from 1.0cm to 3.0cm

Color: Light yellow, light to dark brown; variegated mix of brown and not uniform color (as in café-au-lait macules).

Shape: Round and oval with slightly irregular border(s)

Arrangement: Often scattered, discrete lesions

Distribution: Exclusively exposed areas: face; backs of hands; forearms; upper back; and chest

Dermatopathology – Site Epidermis

Process: Proliferative, club-shaped, elongated rete ridges which show hypermelanosis and an increased number of melanocytes in the basal layer.