Repair of the alar groove with combination partial primary closure and second-intention healing.

Background: The reconstruction of small defects of the alar groove can be a unique challenge owing to the importance of maintaining its concave structure.

Objective: To present a report of a patient with a small alar groove defect that was repaired using a combination of partial primary closure and second-intention healing.

Methods: A 73-year-old female was referred for the treatment of a basal cell carcinoma of the right nasal ala and underwent Mohs micrographic surgery with clearance of the lesion.

Cutaneous photobiology. The melanocyte vs. the sun: who will win the final round?

Solar ultraviolet radiation (UV) is a major environmental factor that dramatically alters the homeostasis of the skin as an organ by affecting the survival, proliferation and differentiation of various cutaneous cell types. The effects of UV on the skin include direct damage to DNA, apoptosis, growth arrest, and stimulation of melanogenesis. Long-term effects of UV include photoaging and photocarcinogenesis.