Lentigo: Laser Treatment and Prevention

A lentigo is a sharply defined brown or black spot, a pigment disorder that does not go away on its own once it appears. That is why lentigo care has to combine two stages: precise laser treatment, and aftercare plus sun protection to prevent recurrence. Dr. Kim Seung-yeon of Saeron Korean Medicine Hospital has gathered, in question order, what is worth knowing in advance if you are considering lentigo treatment.

What Kind of Spot Is a Lentigo?

A lentigo is a pigmented spot, from 1 mm to several cm in size, that looks slightly darker or blacker than the surrounding skin. It tends to appear on the face, neck and backs of the hands. The biggest cause is sun exposure, and hormonal changes, genetic factors and aging also play a part.

How to Tell Lentigo from Melasma

Both are pigment disorders, but they differ in shape and cause.

How Is Laser Treatment for Lentigo Done?

Treatment begins with skin analyzer imaging to locate the lentigines on the face. A laser with a 532 nm wavelength is then aimed at each lesion to break up the pigment. Lentigines of every depth, from deep to faint, can be treated with laser, but depending on the depth, several sessions may be needed.

If a lentigo is large or deep, a single laser session may not clear it completely. If some of the spot remains after treatment, a touch-up is done 2 to 4 weeks later. PIH (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation) can also occur, so a steroid ointment may be prescribed if needed.

Below are before and after photos of a patient who received lentigo treatment at Saeron Korean Medicine Hospital. Results may vary from person to person depending on skin condition.

How Many Sessions Does Lentigo Treatment Take?

With pico lasers and Q-switched Nd:YAG lasers, 1 to 3 sessions is typical, and more may be needed if the lentigo is large or deep. To give the skin time to recover after a laser treatment, the next session is scheduled 3 months later.

What Happens If You Leave a Lentigo Alone

Once a lentigo appears, it does not fade naturally. Left untreated, it can instead progress into a raised age spot that stands up from the skin.

Care After Laser Treatment

Remove the DuoDERM dressing applied after the procedure once 2 weeks have passed. You can wash your face and shower with the DuoDERM on. If a little redness remains where it was removed, apply a regenerating cream. It is best to keep using brightening home care products consistently for at least 1 month.

To prevent pigmentation and recurrence, we recommend receiving regenerative pharmacopuncture several times on a regular basis within one month right after the procedure.

What Daily Habits Help Prevent Lentigo?

1. Apply sunscreen: Apply sunscreen to the backs of your hands, face and neck 30 minutes before going out. Covering your skin with a hat, sunglasses and a parasol is also important.
2. Keep skin moisturized: Dry skin regenerates more slowly and is more prone to worsening pigmentation. Take care to moisturize with a hydrating cream.
3. Eat a balanced diet: Eating fruits and vegetables rich in antioxidants and vitamin C helps.

In Closing

Lentigo treatment gives stable results when the whole process is tied together: checking location and depth with a skin analyzer, treating with laser, then following up with DuoDERM, regenerative care and sun protection. In the end, the foundation of lentigo prevention is daily sunscreen and moisturizing.

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Author : Dr. Kim Seung-yeon, Saeron Korean Medicine Hospital (Korean medicine doctor), Profile Last reviewed : 2026-10-14 This article contains general medical information. Individual diagnosis and treatment plans are decided through an in-person consultation.