Multiple small raised and flat moles

[gettuffnow]

I am a 30 year old African American woman. A few years ago (2006) I began getting multiple small dark raised and flat moles around the chest, neck and face area. It is not associated with sun exposure because they are on parts of my chest that are not exposed to the the sun. They are not painful or itch. They are symmetrical, the borders are well circumscribed. It seems like they are multiplying and I do not know if there is any thing to do or what the cause is?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Sun spots or lentigines are usually found in people older than 40 years of age. They are caused by the skin being exposed to the sun over many years and are a sigh of sun damage. So that is why I have asked you to apply sunscreens.

I hope it helps. Take care and regards.

[gettuffnow]

Thank you so much for the expert advice. I just did not think that it was caused by the sun because some of the small moles are on parts of my chest that do not get much sun, but I guess some of the suns rays still penetrate clothing and these area are in most direct exposure to the rays of the sun. Also why do you say to use liberal amounts of sunscreen before age 40? Are they less likely to occur after this age?

Thank you again!

P.S. I will get my skin evaluated as well, when I can.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
These can be due to photodermatitis or solar lentigenes also. They are harmless, flat, brown discolorations of the skin which usually occur on the back of the hands, neck and face of people. The only way to prevent age spots is to use liberal amounts of sunscreen before the age of forty, avoid the sun, and wear protective clothing. The newest treatment for age spots is an alpha hydroxy acid gel or beta hydroxy acid gel.  Retin-A cream, alpha hydroxyacid peels, and liquid nitrogen therapy are other options.

But since these spots have started appearing suddenly, so they need to be evaluated. I hope it helps. Take care and please do keep us posted on how you are doing. Kind regards.