Cutaneous gerontology: solar degeneration of the skin

Solar elastotic syndromes are syndromes showing varied morphology of ageing effects on the skin with acceleration of the changes by the sun. Three peculiar syndromes which are less well recognised are described. These are acrokerato-elastoidosis, in which severe solar elastosis is confirmed on biopsy, colloid milium and photodermatitis--like solar degeneration with echymoses and stellate hypopigmented scars. These changes are seen in fourteen patients and often, an occupation with prolonged exposure in the sun aggravates this. Such skin changes are unlikely to be seen in future as the life style and occupations of the population change in the twenty first century.