Poikiloderma of Civatte is a brownish pale pigmentation gradually emerging on the sides of the neck. Pigmentation appears to accumulate like a mesh in between the skin papillae. The skin area in the neck shaded by the chin remains light in colour. The condition is caused by long-term exposure to the sun. It is suspected that scents used in cosmetics play a part in sensitising the skin to UV radiation. The condition is exclusively a cosmetic problem. With modern colour laser techniques it is often possible to achieve adequate fading of the pigmentation.