These small, acquired tan macules, often referred to as “age” or “liver spots,” occur on sun-exposed areas during middle and elderly years.

They are uniform in color from light brown to black.

Most often, they appear on the face (Fig. 30.10), dorsal hands (Fig. 30.11), extensor forearms, and anterior legs.

Microscopically there is an increased number of normal melanocytes in the basal layer of the epidermis.

This is the most common form of lentigo. A single lesion or multiple lesions may be present at birth or develop in early childhood.

Darker in color than freckles, they do not further darken or increase in number on sun exposure, as do freckles.

These lesions may occur anywhere on the skin or mucous membranes.

Round- or oval-shaped macule(s) 3 to 15 mm in diameter.

Multiple lentigines can occur with associated conditions such as Peutz-Jeghers syndrome.