Poikiloderma. What is it, do you have it and how can you treat it?

Poikiloderma is not the latest sushi roll~ nor is it a new app for your phone. Poikiloderma (poy-kee-low-derm-a) is a skin change seen on the sides and back of the neck, and also sometimes on the chest, from sun damage. It looks like red and brown discoloration of the skin in a lace like pattern with varying degrees of white spots.  It does not affect the skin on the front of the neck under the chin as this area is fairly protected from sun exposure.

There are several treatments to correct poikiloderma but topical creams are not effective. The best treatment is prevention with very good daily sun block. Once poikiloderma is present the best treatments involve laser treatments to treat the varying aspects of red and brown discoloration in the skin.

Most areas of skin affected by poikiloderma have both red and brown colors. The best treatment for this is IPL or intense pulsed light. IPL is a broad band light – meaning many different light wavelengths. Some of these wavelengths are selective for red or vascular spots and some are more selective for brown pigment spots which is why IPL is so good to treat skin conditions that have both red and brown discoloration. IPL is delivered through a rectangular glass piece that is held close to the skin for a series of pulses. A series of 2-4 treatments are needed for best results.

Some cases of poikiloderma are mostly red colored being made up of abnormal, small broken capillaries or blood vessels. For these cases, a laser that is selective for vascular spots such as the Vbeam laser is preferred.  The Vbeam is a laser whose wavelength of 695nm is very specific for red lesions in the skin such as birthmarks, rosacea, broken capillaries and poikiloderma.  Similar to IPL, a series of 2-4 treatments is needed.  Any one of these treatments can be combined with Fraxel to improve texture and diminish wrinkles.

November is a good time to take care of issues like poikiloderma along with other skin imperfections of the neck – sagging, wrinkling etc – we’re not quite into party season but we will be sooner than you think.