Scrutinizing skinfield melanin patterns in young Caucasian women.

INTRODUCTION: When using adequate wavelength illumination and high resolution recordings, Caucasian skin color appears uneven. The patterns of faint mosaic melanoderma (FMM) are diverse and possibly related to the risk of skin cancer development.

AREAS COVERED: The current peer-reviewed publications about objective methods quantifying FMM are revisited. The images from the Visioscan® and Visioface® Quick devices are computerized in order to record the ultraviolet light-enhanced visualization (ULEV) and the color-enhanced visualization (CEV) of the skin. Previously published data regarding the FMM are gathered in 20 odd Caucasian women. Seven FMM patterns are distinguished. They appear expressed differently according to body regions, but the mean gray level appears more uniform.

EXPERT OPINION: The combination of larger subclinical melanotic macules and ivory spots during early adulthood is apparently associated with an increased risk for non-melanoma skin cancers.