What does lentigo refer to?

Lentigo refers to a tan or brown macule caused by sun exposure, which typically appears on areas of the skin that have been exposed to sunlight over a prolonged period. These spots are often referred to as "sun spots" or "liver spots," although they are not related to liver function. Lentigines are usually flat and can vary in size, being more prevalent in older adults or individuals who have had significant sun exposure in their lifetime.

This clarifies that while skin cancer, inflammatory conditions, and melasma involve pigmentation changes or skin abnormalities, they are distinctly different from lentigo. Skin cancer includes a range of conditions that usually present differently. Inflammatory skin conditions involve redness, swelling, or irritation while melasma is characterized by darker patches that commonly occur due to hormonal changes rather than direct sun exposure alone.