Poikiloderma is a skin problem consisting of areas of decreased or increased pigmentation, thinning of the skin as well as blood vessels that are prominent. Types of this condition include – poikiloderma vasculare atrophicans, hereditary sclerosing poikiloderma, and poikiloderma civatte.

Civatte was the name of the dermatologist in France who was the first physician to describe these common changes caused by weather that affects the skin of the sides as well as the front of the neck.

Poikiloderma civatte typically spares the area shaded beneath the chin. The skin in this affected area is brown-red with protruding hair follicles.

The exact causes of these skin problems are not known. Causal factors seem to be fair skin, photosensitizing components of toiletries, cosmetics and especially perfumes, as well as hormonal factors.

But to avoid this condition becoming worse some tips on management of this skin problem include sun protection with broad spectrum sunscreen; avoiding all perfumes on or near the affected area; hydroquinone-containing preparations to help fade the pigmentation; and exfoliates such as long term use of alpha hydroxyl-acids or tretinon. Pulsed dye laser and intense pulsed light treatments seem to be the better way to reduce the telangiectasia and pigmentation but the results of these treatments are often disappointing.