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Solar Lentigo

Solar Lentigo is a circumscribed 1- to 3-cm brown macule resulting from a localized proliferation melanocytes due to chronic exposure to sunlight. They are most common in people over age 55. The spots commonly appear on the hands but can occur almost anywhere, especially sun-exposed areas such as the face, back, arms, feet, shoulders and face.

Common Causes of Solar Lentigo

Sunburn results when the amount of exposure to the sun or other ultraviolet light source exceeds the ability of the body's protective pigment, melanin, to protect the skin. Sunburn in a very light-skinned person may occur in less than 15 minutes of midday sun exposure, while a dark-skinned person may tolerate the same exposure for hours. Swelling of the skin, especially in the legs, is common. Toxins are released with sunburn, and fever is not uncommon. Skin peeling usually begins between three and eight days after exposure.

Symptoms of Solar Lentigo

Strictly macular, 1 to 3 cm, as large as 0 5 cm. Light yellow, light brown, or dark brown; variegated mix of brown and not uniform color, as in cafe-au-lait macules. Round, oval, with slightly irregular border. Often scattered, discrete lesions.

Home remedies to get relief from Solar Lentigo

• Rub fresh aloe vera juice or gel on the spots. It will help fade them. Use the gel twice a day for a month or two. Juice from the aloe plant is excellent for healing burns and is also beneficial as a general healing agent.
• Take fresh or canned chick peas (garbanzo beans), mash about 1/3 cupful and add a little water. Smear this paste on the spots and leave it there until it dries. Then wash off completely. Do this every evening.
• Apply vitamin E oil directly to age spots daily to reduce coloration of age spots
• Another mineral supplement to take is zinc. Take 15 mg a day for one to two months. Don't take more than 15 mg without a doctor's supervision, as it may hinder the body's absorption of other minerals, especially copper.
• Bilberry herb slows some of the aging processes and acts as an antioxidant. Take 4-8 oz. of fresh berries or 80-160 mg of bilberry extract.
• Dab some fresh lemon juice on the spots twice daily. If you are going outdoors, wait for the juice to dry as it increases the skin's sensitivity to sunlight. It may take a few months, but the acidity in the juice will cause the spots to fade away.

Prevention tips for Solar Lentigo

By limiting your sun exposure, you can decrease the possibility of age spots. Sun exposure before the age of 20 is the major factor that determines how your skin will look in later life. If you already have age spots, limiting your exposure to the sun can help prevent them from enlarging or darkening.

To protect your skin from the sun, wear long-sleeved shirts, pants and a hat. Use sunscreen if you will be outside for more than a few minutes. Avoid being in the sun during midday (10 a.m. to 3 p.m.), when the sun's rays are the most intense.

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