Wrinkle and Fine Line Formation

Poikiloderma of Civatte is a red-brown discolouration of the sides of the neck and décolletage.

Fair-skinned, middle-aged females are most often affected by this condition, which is related to long-term sun damage and hormonal influences.

A long-term exposure to the sun damages the superficial blood vessels, resulting in telangiectasia (broken capillaries) and a couperose complexion accompanied by frequent flushing. In adults, hyperpigmentation (brown coloration) is the result of increased melanin deposition in the skin as a result of UV-induced damage.

In the same vein as Melasma, pigmentation may also be related to hormonal fluctuations. A person with this condition may also have skin laxity due to the degradation of collagen, or elastosis if they have been severely sun damaged.

As a result of abnormal elastin deposition, the skin becomes thickened and wrinkled. Poikiloderma of Civatte is characterised by a combination of telangiectasia, atrophy, and irregular pigmentation. The pigmentation change usually appears as a brownish red reticulated pigmentation. In the past, the condition was attributed to a hormonal imbalance and was believed to be limited to women in their menopause and postmenopause. It is now understood to be caused by chronic sun damage and affects both men and women. This is commonly present on the cheeks and neck and may extend down to the chest. The submental area is conspicuously spared.