Dermatologists Unite to Raise Awareness of Common Skin Pigmentation Conditions

NEW YORK, April 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Dermatologists from around the country are joining forces in support of the second annual Skin Pigmentation Awareness Week (SPAW), April 25-May 2, 2005. The initiative, supported by the Skin Pigmentation Knowledge Center (SPKC) through an educational grant from Galderma, aims to raise awareness of common skin pigmentation conditions and encourage people to speak with their dermatologist.

Throughout the week, dermatologists will inform the public on skin pigmentation conditions and how factors such as hormones (from birth control pills, pregnancy, or hormone replacement therapy), age, ethnicity, and sun exposure may affect one's skin. They will also share advice on how to start a comprehensive sun protection or avoidance program in preparation for the summer months ahead. Tips will be given on how to minimize the effects of sun damage through safe and effective treatments.

Florida-based dermatologist Dr. Janet Allenby explains the importance of the week. "Millions of Americans will experience a skin pigmentation disorder at some point in their lives," says Dr. Allenby. "For many this can result in embarrassment and emotional distress, leading to behavior changes such as avoiding social situations and, in some cases, low self-esteem. One of our goals is to remind people of the dangers of sun exposure and ensure they take the proper precautions ahead of time."

According to a national survey conducted by The Alliance for Aging Research (AAR), many people are concerned about skin pigmentation conditions, but they are not taking measures to prevent them. The study showed that patients are not seeking the advice of a physician and are unaware of treatment options available.(1)

"I have seen many patients that have left their skin pigmentation conditions untreated," says Dr. Jeanine B. Downie, a dermatologist at Image Dermatology in Montclair, New Jersey, and co-author of the book, Beautiful Skin of Color. "This is primarily due to a lack of understanding these conditions exist. I am supporting the Skin Pigmentation Awareness Week with the hope it will motivate people to speak with a dermatologist and above all, take care of their skin by using an SPF 30 every day."

Before seeking help, Samantha Love, a 35-year-old nurses aid from Ohio, opted to live with the dark pigmentation on her face, known as melasma, that was getting deeper in color and becoming prominently noticeable. She compares it to living with a deformity.

"I lived with it -- I just kept piling on the makeup and attempted to get some consistency in the color of my skin. It wasn't until my family starting making comments about the dark markings on my face that I realized how obvious they were to people," says Samantha.

In a study, Prospective Investigation Gauging Melasma Reduction with a New Treatment (PIGMENT), 397 clinical investigators found that those who treated their skin pigmentation conditions had a significant improvement in their quality of life. Of the 1,076 patients in the study, over 60 percent reported feeling less embarrassed by their appearance and no longer felt older as a result of their skin pigmentation condition. Also, more than half of patients surveyed said they used fewer cosmetics and needed to make less of an effort to hide their skin problem after treatment. More than a quarter of the patients reported an improvement in social and leisure activities, as well as feeling more vitalized and productive as a result of treatment.(2)

The SPKC is dedicated to improving information available on two specific pigmentation disorders: hypopigmentation, when the body does not produce enough melanin, and hyperpigmentation, when the body produces too much melanin.

The three most common skin pigmentation conditions are melasma, solar lentigines, and vitiligo.

Melasma: a hyperpigmentation condition affecting 5-6 million Americans that is characterized by dark spots or blotches on the face, forehead, and neck. It is the result of excess melanin being deposited in the dermal or epidermal layers of the skin.

Solar lentigines: a hyperpigmentation condition where benign, flat, brown spots appear on sun-exposed skin, such as the face or back of the hands.

Vitiligo: a hypopigmentation condition that creates smooth, depigmented white spots on the skin that vary in size and location. They occur when melanocytes (pigmented cells) are destroyed and the pigment melanin can no longer be produced.

Patients should consult their physician or a dermatologist for more information on skin pigmentation conditions or possible courses of treatment. For more information, please visit http://www.pigmentationawareness.com/.

  References
   1. Alliance for Aging Research. Evaluation of Age Spots Awareness and
      Perceptions Among Consumers. 2003.
   2. Grimes P, Kelly AP, Torok H, Willis I. PIGMENT: A Community-Based
      Study of a New Teatment for Melasma. 2003.

   Contact:
   Liz Lane
   Skin Pigmentation Knowledge Center
   tel: 212.845.4236
   elizabeth.lane@eurorscg.com

   Denise Scalzo
   Skin Pigmentation Knowledge Center
   tel: 212.845.4241
   denise.scalzo@eurorscg.com