A study on dermoscopy of facial melanosis

Objectives: The aims and objectives of the study are to determine dermoscopic findings of facial hypermelanotic disorders after evaluating them based on clinical examination and to correlate each clinical picture with dermoscopic findings. Material and Methods: Various patients of different disorders mentioned above visiting the Dermatology Outpatient Department from December 2019 to October 2020 were examined dermoscopically. The dermoscopic features were analyzed using a hand-held Dermlite DL4N dermoscope. Results: The most common dermoscopic features observed in lichen planus pigmentosus were a diffuse brown background, hem-like pattern of pigment, gray-colored dots and globules, and perifollicular pigmentation (PFP) along with the polygonal pattern in some. The most common dermoscopic findings in steroid-dependent facies were background erythema, dilated blurred tortuous blood vessels, and perifollicular sparing (PFS) pigmentation. In periorbital hyperpigmentation, accentuation of pseudoreticular pattern, blotches, and globules of pigmentation was seen along with PFS. In pigmentary demarcation lines, clear borders of abrupt transition, blotches, clods, and PFP were seen. In Acanthosis Nigricans, multiple cristae and sulci with hyperpigmented dots were the common findings. In Nevus of Ota, brownish-grayish areas with bluish tinge, dots, and clods were the most common findings. Conclusion: Hypermelanosis is very common in Asian Skin and has a broad list of differential diagnosis that can be non-specific with the naked eye. Dermoscopy helps to define and ascertain the various hypermelanotic disorders.