Clinical application of lasers in Asians.

Background: Laser surgery for Asians differs from that for Caucasians in several important respects. In Asians, some conditions such as nevus of Ota are frequently seen and certain adverse reactions, especially postinflammatory hyperpigmentation, tend to be more common.

Objective: This article reviews the use of different types of lasers and intense pulsed light (IPL) sources for the treatment of Asian patients.

Glycolic acid peels compared to microdermabrasion: a right-left controlled trial of efficacy and patient satisfaction.

Background: Glycolic acid peels and microdermabrasion are widely recommended by dermatologists and others for facial skin rejuvenation, but few studies have assessed their clinical efficacy.

Objective: To compare the relative efficacy of glycolic acid peels and microdermabrasion for facial skin rejuvenation.

Methods: An unblinded, randomized controlled trial was used.

Methylation of histone H3 by COMPASS requires ubiquitination of histone H2B by Rad6.

The DNA of eukaryotes is wrapped around nucleosomes and packaged into chromatin. Covalent modifications of the histone proteins that comprise the nucleosome alter chromatin structure and have major effects on gene expression. Methylation of lysine 4 of histone H3 by COMPASS is required for silencing of genes located near chromosome telomeres and within the rDNA (Krogan, N.

Pain associated with injection of botulinum A exotoxin reconstituted using isotonic sodium chloride with and without preservative: a double-blind, randomized controlled trial.

Context: Botulinum A exotoxin is used for various indications, including the treatment of dynamic forehead lines.

Objective: To determine whether injection with botulinum A exotoxin reconstituted with preservative-containing normal saline (isotonic sodium chloride) is less painful than injection with exotoxin that has been reconstituted with preservative-free saline.

Design: Two arms: (1) retrospective study; (2) double-blind, randomized controlled trial.

Laser surgery of leg veins.

The use of lasers and light sources in treating lower-extremity blood vessels has not been as successful as they are for treatment of facial telangiectasia. Several reasons for this lack of success include increased hydrostatic pressure on the lower extremities and the anatomy of lower-extremity blood vessels. These vessels are in a deeper location, have thick surrounding adventitial tissue, and have increased basal lamina when compared with facial telangiectasia.

COMPASS, a histone H3 (Lysine 4) methyltransferase required for telomeric silencing of gene expression.

The trithorax (Trx) family of proteins is required for maintaining a specific pattern of gene expression in some organisms. Recently we reported the isolation and characterization of COMPASS, a multiprotein complex that includes the Trx-related protein Set1 of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Here we report that COMPASS catalyzes methylation of the fourth lysine of histone H3 in vitro.

Severe, intractable headache after injection with botulinum a exotoxin: report of 5 cases.

Background: Botulinum A exotoxin is a safe agent in common use in dermatology. Occasionally, patients receiving botulinum toxin injections report postprocedure discomfort, including headaches.

Objective: Our purpose was to estimate the rate of severe headaches occurring after injection with botulinum toxin for dermatologic indications.

COMPASS: a complex of proteins associated with a trithorax-related SET domain protein.

The trithorax genes encode an evolutionarily conserved family of proteins that function to maintain specific patterns of gene expression throughout cellular development. Members of this protein family contain a highly conserved 130- to 140-amino acid motif termed the SET domain. We report the purification and molecular identification of the subunits of a protein complex in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae that includes the trithorax-related protein Set1.

Evaluation of a silicone occlusive dressing after laser skin resurfacing.

Background: Closed dressings are thought to promote postoperative wound healing after laser skin resurfacing; however, quantitative data are lacking.

Objective: To compare postoperative healing after combination carbon dioxide and erbium:YAG full-face laser skin resurfacing in patients who were treated with a silicone occlusive dressing (Silon-TSR; Bio Med Sciences, Inc, Bethlehem, Pa) vs open-wound care consisting of soaks and ointment application.

Design: Thirty-five patients with closed dressings compared retrospectively with 35 control subjects with open-wound care.

Acne scarring: a classification system and review of treatment options.

Acne is a common condition experienced by up to 80% of people between 11 and 30 years of age and by up to 5% of older adults. In some patients, the severe inflammatory response to Propionibacterium acnes results in permanent, disfiguring scars. Over the past several decades, numerous descriptive terms and surgical techniques have been used to diagnose the types, and improve the appearance, of scarring in those persons with acne.

Synopsis of laser assisted hair removal systems.

Conventional treatment options for hypertrichosis and hirsutism are tedious and time consuming. Laser hair removal offers an efficient way to permanently reduce excessive hair growth. Hair is damaged using the principle of selective photothermolysis with wavelengths of light well absorbed by follicular melanin and pulse durations that selectively thermally damage the target without damaging surrounding tissue.

Lasers in skin resurfacing.

The development of short-pulse high-peak power and rapidly scanned focused beam carbon dioxide lasers and normal mode erbium:yttrium aluminum garnet lasers, which can remove photodamaged skin layer by layer in a precisely controlled manner while leaving behind a very narrow zone of thermal damage, has revolutionized skin rejuvenation and enhanced our ability to treat scars. This review highlights laser-tissue interactions; the laser used for resurfacing; preoperative, operative, and postoperative issues and how to choose a candidate for the procedure; uses of resurfacing; adverse effects and complications of the procedure; and new developments in the field.

Lasers in skin resurfacing.

Laser skin resurfacing has revolutionized the approach to facial skin rejuvenation over the last decade. It has also added an approach to managing both atrophic and hypertrophic scars. This paper will review the basic principles of laser skin resurfacing, the different lasers used, the approach to treatment and potential complications of the procedure, followed by a discussion of future prospects in the field.

Accessibility and reliability of cutaneous laser surgery information on the World Wide Web.

The World Wide Web has provided the public with easy and affordable access to a vast range of information. However, claims may be unsubstantiated and misleading. The purpose of this study was to use cutaneous laser surgery as a model to assess the availability and reliability of Web sites and to evaluate this resource for the quality of patient and provider education.