[The major SCAR syndromes].

Some drug eruptions are frequent and follow an indolent course, while others prove to be life-threatening. By contrast, SCAR syndromes are serious skin drug reactions that are rare but their vital prognosis is affected. The three distinct entities of importance are the former Lyell's syndrome, now identified as SJS-TEN syndrome (Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis), the DRESS syndrome (drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms), and the AGEP syndrome (acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis).

[The dark face of cosmetics. A justified or excessive diatribe?].

In recent years, the population and producers of consumer products became aware of deleterious effects of some substances on human health and environment. Cosmetic products are part of such concern. What are the risks currently involved? The so-called "natural", "bio" or "green" products, do they represent an ideal panacea? This topic has a complex issue because documents available for the general public are of unequal quality, and objective scientifc publications remain rare and prone to controversies.

[Place your bets, the die is cast ... the skin at the retiring age today and tomorrow].

Senescence of people represents a global expression of obsolescence of their organs, tissues, cells and constitutive molecules. Skin, similarly to any other organ, is ageing in particular ways. Over the past century, the time effects on skin have been expressed differently.

[Dermatoporosis, a vintage for atrophoderma and transparent skin].

Skin ageing occasionally manifests itself at long-term by severe atrophoderma. Systemic or topical corticotherapy exerts an atrophic impact mimicking the effects of old age. Such atrophoderma condition has been described as transparent skin about 40 years ago, and it received more recently the new denomination of dermatoporosis.

[Striae distensae, colors and mechanobiology].

Striae distensae represent a common skin condition, corresponding to a physiological event particularly developed during adolescence, pregnancy and gain in body weight. In addition, these lesions are induced by the Cushing syndrome or an intense corticotherapy. The viscoelastic properties of the skin are altered and vary according to the severity of striae distensae.