Are Lasers Used to Treat Poikiloderma of Civatte?

Until the onset of light-based medical devices, Poikiloderma of Civatte was a difficult entity to treat. Lasers and IPL's have given us some great weapons in treating this rather common and totally benign condition. Poikiloderma of Civatte was first described by the great French dermatologist Jean Civatte ( who left a great body of work!). Many regard it as a response to sunlight rather than a true disease. Poikiloderma refers to the combination of atrophy, telangiectasias (... more

Lasers and IPL can work really well for treating Poikiloderma of Civatte. We recommend either Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) or the V-Beam Pulsed Dye Laser. We also have both the Fraxel Repair and Restore Lasers which would not be my first choice for your condition. I would be skeptical if someone was recommending that as the first choice for Poikiloderma.

Yes, Fraxel can treat this benign skin condition. However, because the Repair Fraxel is ablative (removes skin), it would not be my first choice to treat the neck and chest area. Poikiloderma is a skin pigmentary disorder which could be just as easily treated with the Fraxel Restore or a broadband light source (IPL/fotofacial) device. The neck and chest skin will not heal as rapidly as the face which is why ablative lasers are not commonly used in these areas. While the Fraxel Repair is... more