{
  "abstract": "Introduction\n\nVarious entities of acquired facial melanosis present with considerable clinical overlap, posing diagnostic challenges. Dermoscopy is being increasingly used in its diagnosis.Objectives\n\nTo assess dermoscopic and clinicopathological features of facial melanosis in Fitzpatrick skin types IV-VI.Methods\n\nA prospective cross-sectional study of clinical and dermoscopic features of facial melanosis-lichen planus pigmentosus (LPP), pigmented contact dermatitis (PCD), and facial acanthosis nigricans (FAN)-was conducted. Melasma, periorbital hyperpigmentation, and nevus of Ota were excluded.Results\n\nFifty-six patients were included: 31 (55.4%) with LPP, 18 (32.1%) FAN, and seven (12.5%) PCD. Clinically, LPP showed significantly more involvement of face (55.2 ± 22.2%) (P=0.029), especially the chin (29, 93.5%) (P=0.006). Dermoscopy revealed more than one pattern of pigment structures in 54 (96.4%) patients. Predominant patterns in LPP were reticular (21, 67.7%), peppered (15, 48.4%), and annular (13, 41.9%). There was an overlap of patterns like annular, annular-granular, and reticular in both LPP and PCD. Peppered (15, 48.4%) was significantly more in LPP (P=0.023), while linear dots were seen exclusively in LPP (4, 12.9%); smudged was significantly more in PCD (6, 85.7%) and FAN (15, 83.3%) (P=0.003). Concentric circles (16, 88.9%) and parallel lines (14, 77.8%) were significantly more in FAN (P<0.001 each), while crypts-gyri (10, 55.6%) and papillary projections (8, 44.4%) were seen exclusively in FAN. Combination of dots and clods was also significantly more in LPP (26, 83.9%; P=0.007), whereas blue-gray pigmentation (19, 61.3%) was observed exclusively in LPP.Conclusion\n\nDistinct dermoscopic features aid in differentiating acquired facial melanosis. Blue-gray dots and clods in peppered, reticular, and linear dots patterns favor LPP, while concentric circles, parallel lines, crypts-gyri, and papillary projections suggest FAN. Recognition of these patterns may obviate biopsy in cosmetically sensitive areas.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Department of Dermatology Venereology and Leprosy, Christian Medical College, Vellore, India.",
    "Department of Pathology, Christian Medical College, Vellore, India."
  ],
  "article_type": "research article",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 8,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Sheethal K Jose"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Priya Sara Kuryan"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Diya Katrina Koikkara"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Gauri Dinesh Mahabal"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Leni George"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "C V Dincy Peter"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Susanne A Pulimood"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "Meera Thomas"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/903x6c9hdmhfb.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.5826/dpc.1603a7032",
  "fulltext_url": "https://europepmc.org/articles/PMC13557242",
  "id": "903x6c9hdmhfb",
  "issns": [
    "2160-9381"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42858383",
  "language": "eng",
  "licence": "CC-BY-NC",
  "licence_label": "CC BY-NC",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "openalex",
      "1307|melanin and skin pigmentation"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7171969704",
  "pdf_url": "https://europepmc.org/articles/PMC13557242?pdf=render",
  "pmcid": "PMC13557242",
  "pmid": "42858383",
  "published": "2026-07-31",
  "publisher": null,
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/903x6c9hdmhfb.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:19:18Z",
      "native_id": "MED:42858383",
      "source": "europepmc",
      "url": "https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42858383"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "biology",
      "origin": "openalex:1307|melanin and skin pigmentation",
      "subfield": "cell-biology"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Unmasking Facial Melanosis: A Prospective Clinico-Dermoscopic Study.",
  "title_text": "Unmasking Facial Melanosis: A Prospective Clinico-Dermoscopic Study.",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:19:18Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/903x6c9hdmhfb",
  "venue": "Dermatology practical & conceptual",
  "versions": []
}