What the "Poikiloderma"?

What is Poikiloderma? Just for fun, I asked my very intelligent 8 year old daughter, Mary. She said "I bet its a polka dotted lotion that ONLY Princesses get to use!" Ummm, NO my delightful offspring it's not a lotion and I guarantee no Princess wants it! It did amaze me that she picked up on the word "derma" and knew it had something to do with the skin. Yes, that apple didn't even roll from this tree, she just hit the ground and popped a tent! So proud.

Though, Mary's definition is rather entertaining and has a much "Happier Ending", it's not even close to the ugly truth. There are a few forms of Poikiloderma and the one I'd really like to touch on is the more common form which I see in my Spa Cabin often; "Poikiloderma of Civatte".

Until I went to school for Esthetics, I wore perfume on my neck just like every other person I knew. Spray and walk away, right? WRONG! Photosensitizing chemicals in perfumes and cosmetics are some major contributing factors behind the cause of this chronic skin condition. Just add some excessive sun exposure (UV light) and you have a perfect combination for this unsightly pest.

What does it look like? Poikiloderma of Civatte is characterized by irregular, blotchy reddish-brown pigmentation with widened capillaries (telangiectasia) and sometimes the presence of chicken skin. Always has an uneven, mottled look to it and is NOT considered pretty in any form!

Where, you ask? The most common places you can develop Poikiloderma of Civatte are of course "sun exposed" areas like the cheeks, neck, chest and back. It may appear on all these areas or just patches in one of these areas. Either way, you must stay out of the sun to prevent further damage unless you like displaying the look of a freaky, spotted, belly of a frog. It's your choice.

So who can get this? Well, it's more common in women but Poikiloderma of Civatte will not pass up any male that offers the perfect condition to plant it's hideous look upon. Though, its more common with increased age, some people as young as early twenties have developed this condition and due to lack of knowledge they make things worse with more sun exposure throughout their lifetime. Poikiloderma is benign but still unsightly and can become irritated with prolonged sun exposure.

If your suspicious and believe you may have a form of Poikiloderma, do see a Dermatologist to confirm your diagnosis. Never assume you have a condition without a proper professional consultation. No one likes a Hypochondriac except another Hypochondriac!

Sadly, there is no topical or oral medications that will improve or cure Poikiloderma of Civatte so PREVENTION is so POWERFUL as with all sun exposed skin conditions. So, please STOP spraying, dabbing, soaking your skin in perfume or cologne! Why contribute to a nasty condition when you can choose to "prevent" it from appearing at all? Healthy skin is HAPPY skin and it always glows from the inside out ; } Are you feeling my love Skin Deep yet?