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Are there prescription treatments for solar lentigines (sun spots)?

Solar lentigines are dark brown spots that occur on sun-exposed areas of skin. The face, chest, and back of hands are most commonly affected.

When over-the-counter creams don’t work to fade the sun spots caused by excess sun exposure, your doctor may recommend prescription drugs containing hydroquinone (brand names Melanex, Solaquin Forte, or >Eldopaque Forte). Some doctors may have you use a steroid cream in addition to the hydroquinone. Tretinoin creams (>Retin-A, >Renova, Solage) may be used alone or with hydroquinone and/or steroid creams to reduce dark pigmentation. These creams can be irritating and cause the skin to become red and peel. These creams may also cause sun sensitivity, so sunscreen should be used when exposed to sunlight. If side effects are bothersome, your doctor may have you apply the product less frequently or use a lower strength.

Talk to your doctor or dermatologist to find out which therapy might work best for your skin condition.

Sources:
Drug Facts and Comparisons, Facts & Comparisons, 2006.
Habif, Thomas. Clinical Dermatology, Mosby—Year Book, 1996.
Conn's Current Therapy 1999, W. B. Saunders Company, 1999.
Leyden, James. “Treatment of Photodamaged Skin with Topical Tretinoin: An Update”, Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery 102 (1998).
Fleischer, A.B. “The Combination of 2% 4-Hydroxyanisole (Mequinol) and 0.01% Tretinoin is Effective in Improving the Appearance of Solar Lentigines and Related Hyperpigmented Lesions in Two Double-blind Multicenter Clinical Studies.” Journal of American Academic Dermatology 42 (2000).
Micromedex® Healthcare Series. Thomson Micromedex, 2006.
Solage Product Information. Barrier Therapeutics, 2006.

This answer prepared 11/8/2000.
This information updated 2/7/2007.