Publications by authors named "Hei-Sung Kim"

Purpose: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin condition influenced by various factors, such as the skin microbiome and metabolome. However, specific contributions of these factors to scalp involvement in AD still need to be explored. In this study, we aimed to assess the associations between the skin microbiome and metabolome in AD patients with scalp dermatitis and healthy controls (HCs).

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  • * The review discusses various conditions such as hidradenitis suppurativa, vitiligo, and atopic dermatitis, highlighting the diverse applications of tetracyclines in dermatology.
  • * It also examines sarecycline, a new narrow-spectrum tetracycline, emphasizing its clinical effectiveness and potential effects on the microbiome, advocating for a broader use of tetracyclines in treating skin disorders.
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  • Inconsistent reporting of outcomes in rosacea clinical trials is hindering accurate data analysis and meta-analyses, highlighting the need for standardized outcome measures.
  • A core outcome set (COS) was developed through systematic literature reviews and a Delphi process, involving feedback from physicians and patients to identify essential outcomes in rosacea trials.
  • The final COS includes 8 key domains, such as skin symptoms and patient satisfaction, which aim to enhance the comparability and relevance of future rosacea research and interventions.
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The interplay between the skin microbiome and its host is a complex facet of dermatological health and has become a critical focus in the development of microbiome cosmetics. The skin microbiome, comprising various microorganisms, is essential from birth, develops over the lifespan, and performs vital roles in protecting our body against pathogens, training the immune system, and facilitating the breakdown of organic matter. Dysbiosis, an imbalance of these microorganisms, has been implicated in a number of skin conditions such as acne, atopic dermatitis, and skin cancer.

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  • The study examined the effects of wearing masks during the COVID-19 pandemic on facial skin issues, known as facial dermatoses, through a nationwide survey in Korea.
  • Results showed that 75.9% of patients experienced worsening or new facial skin conditions linked to prolonged mask-wearing, with specific trends noted among different skin issues.
  • Factors such as gender, age, and duration of mask use influenced the severity and type of facial dermatoses, highlighting the varied clinical features based on the specific condition.
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Childhood rosacea is a lesser known, yet significant, skin condition presenting diagnostic and treatment challenges. Although often underdiagnosed due to unclear diagnostic criteria, it manifests similarly to adult rosacea, with features such as papulopustular, telangiectasia, granulomatous, idiopathic facial aseptic granuloma, and ocular rosacea. The complex pathophysiology involves genetic, immunological, and environmental factors.

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Background: More than half of acne patients have truncal acne on their chest, back, and shoulders. However, since most studies on acne have focused on the face, data on clinical characteristics and proper management for truncal acne are insufficient.

Objective: To establish a Korean Acne Rosacea Society (KARS) consensus for experts' perception and treatment patterns of truncal acne.

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The interplay between the microbes and the skin barrier holds pivotal significance in skin health and aging. The skin and gut, both of which are critical immune and neuroendocrine system, harbor microbes that are kept in balance. Microbial shifts are seen with aging and may accelerate age-related skin changes.

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  • Bleomycin and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) are commonly used antineoplastic drugs for treating various skin disorders by hindering the cell cycle in both non-cancerous and cancerous lesions.
  • * The review analyzes the mechanisms and clinical effectiveness of these drugs in conditions like hypertrophic scars, warts, skin cancers, and vitiligo, noting that while both treatments are effective, 5-FU may be preferable due to its lower cost and reduced pain.
  • * Both drugs are generally safe, with no significant side effects reported, making them reliable options in dermatological treatments.
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Background: Skin boosters denote injectables that promote global improvement of the skin which includes skin texture, elasticity, hydration, and overall appearance. Polynucleotide (PN) products have become popular, but there is surprisingly little guidance on their use. We aimed to maximize the safety and efficacy of injectable PN by providing information on their pattern of practice among board-certified dermatologists.

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Metformin is a widely used drug for treatment of diabetes mellitus, due to its safety and efficacy. In addition to its role as an antidiabetic drug, numerous beneficial effects of metformin have enabled its use in various diseases. Considering the anti-androgenic, anti-angiogenic, anti-fibrotic and antioxidant properties of metformin, it may have the potential to improve chronic inflammatory skin diseases.

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  • Rosacea is a chronic condition that significantly impacts the quality of life (QOL) for patients, yet the link between its psychological effects and willingness to pay (WTP) for treatment has been underexplored.
  • A study of 201 Koreans with rosacea revealed that a majority were female, with a notable median age of 50.1 years, and they reported a median WTP of $100 per month to manage their symptoms.
  • Key factors influencing WTP included the presence of phymatous changes, overall symptom severity as measured by the dermatology life quality index (DLQI), and the global flushing severity score (GFSS), highlighting the need for targeted treatments for those with severe symptoms.
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Background: Pigmented contact dermatitis (PCD), a rare variant of non-eczematous contact dermatitis, is clinically characterized by sudden-onset brown or grey pigmentation on the face and neck. It is hypothesized to be caused by repeated contact with low levels of allergens.

Objectives: This study evaluated the risk of using hair dyes in patients with PCD in Korea.

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Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin condition associated with a significant disease burden in Korea. AD is highly prevalent among Korean children, adolescents, and adults, and can cause physical discomfort, psychological distress, and social isolation for those affected. Despite advances in our understanding of AD, there are still many unmet needs in diagnosing and managing the disease in Korea.

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Itch is a common skin symptom, with complex aetiology and pathogenesis. It is mediated by 2 pathways, the histaminergic and non-histaminergic pathways. Chronic itch is understood to be processed by the latter and is difficult to treat with traditional pruritus therapies.

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Background: Facial wrinkles and sagging are the most visible signs of aging and can cause profound distress. Microneedle fractional radiofrequency (MFR) is a minimally invasive procedure, which utilizes both microneedling and radiofrequency energy to rejuvenate the skin.

Objective: To describe the safety and efficacy of a temperature-controlled MFR device on facial fine lines and laxity.

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Actinic keratosis (AK) and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma in situ (CIS) are two of the most common precursors of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC). However, the genomic landscape of AK/CIS and the drivers of cSCC progression remain to be elucidated. The aim of our study was to investigate the genomic alterations between AK/CIS and cSCC in terms of somatic mutations and copy number alterations (CNAs).

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  • The study explored trends in common allergens in Korea over a decade, focusing on patients aged 18 and older who underwent specific allergy testing.* -
  • Results showed an increase in sensitization to house dust, dogs, and cats, while sensitization to cockroaches and storage mites declined, without significant changes in the overall number of allergens.* -
  • The findings suggest that both physicians and patients need to adapt their strategies for managing and preventing allergic diseases based on these evolving allergen trends.*
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