Lentigo

Lentigo or better known as “sun spots” are pigmentation marks that are chronically exposed to sunlight over long periods of time. Eventually, these marks continue to become darker and spread. Lentigo marks can even turn into melanoma if left unchecked. At Center for Dermatology, Laser and Cosmetic Surgery, Dr. Harold F. Farber, M.D. has over 30 years of experience in diagnosing and treating patients with lentigo. Early detection is the key to prevent any kind of malignancy to form from these sunspots.

Signs and symptoms of lentigo include:

• Dark, pigmented areas in shades of tan or brownish-black
• Spots appear wherever there is sun exposure such as the face, arms, neck, legs, and back
• Can appear in a circular, shape

Overtime, lentigo can develop into a melanoma. Signs and symptoms to look for if you notice any noticeable changes include:

• Black pigmentation
• Irregular shape and border may be spreading to surrounding areas of skin
• Raised
• Signs of scaling and bleeding
• Tenderness around the area

At Center for Dermatology, Laser and Cosmetic Surgery, we encourage our patients to come in for an annual or biannual full gowning. Patients at risk for any possible, atypical lentigo lesions include:

• Those who are fair-skinned
• Chronic sun exposure
• Past or frequent uses of tanning beds
• Personal or family history of skin cancer or cancerous lesions
• Those who are genetically predisposition for a large amount of moles

If you or someone you know is concerned about their sunspots, do not wait. Call Center for Dermatology, Laser and Cosmetic Surgery to schedule an appointment with Dr. Harold F. Farber, M.D.