Wounding Therapies for Prevention of Photocarcinogenesis.

The occurrence of non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) is closely linked with advanced age and ultraviolet-B (UVB) exposure. More specifically, the development of NMSC is linked to diminished insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) signaling from senescent dermal fibroblasts in geriatric skin. Consequently, keratinocyte IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R) remains inactive, resulting in failure to induce appropriate protective responses including DNA repair and cell cycle checkpoint signaling.

Predicting Negative Outcomes of Cryolipolysis in Patients With and Without Raynaud Disease.

Background: Cryolipolysis is an effective means of noninvasive fat reduction. There are numerous relative contraindications to cryolipolysis including scars, hernias, and cold-related disorders such as Raynaud disease, because cryolipolysis has a theoretical risk of exacerbating these conditions.

Objective: To examine predictors of negative outcomes of cryolipolysis, especially as it pertains to safety of cryolipolysis in patients with Raynaud disease.

Physical modalities for treating acne and rosacea.

Physical modalities provide an important adjunct to medical treatment of acne and rosacea. In patients who cannot tolerate or fail medical treatments, physical modalities offer an alternative approach. For cases of acne scarring, phymatous changes of rosacea, and rosacea-associated telangiectasia, physical modalities such as laser and light treatments represent the treatment of choice.

Immediate skin responses to laser and light treatments: Therapeutic endpoints: How to obtain efficacy.

Clinical endpoints are immediate or early tissue reactions that occur during laser treatment. They can guide the laser surgeon in delivering safe and effective laser treatment. Some endpoints act as warning signs of injury to the skin; others can indicate a therapeutic response.

Immediate skin responses to laser and light treatments: Warning endpoints: How to avoid side effects.

Lasers are versatile, commonly used treatment tools in dermatology. While it is tempting to follow manufacturer's guidelines or other "recipes" for laser treatment, this approach alone can be a recipe for disaster. Specific and immediate skin responses or endpoints exist and are clinically useful because they correlate with underlying mechanisms that are either desirable (ie, therapeutic), undesirable (ie, warning signs of injury or side effects), or incidental.

Use of Photodynamic Therapy and Sterile Water to Target Adipose Tissue.

Background: Neither photodynamic therapy (PDT) nor sterile water has not been well studied for the treatment of adipose tissue.

Objective: This investigation studied 2 different modalities, verteporfin PDT and sterile water, on adipose tissue compared with control.

Materials And Methods: Four light-skinned pigs were used.

Single blind, randomized, controlled trial of a lightening product with and without iontophoresis versus tretinoin and vehicle for hyperpigmentation.

Background: Hyperpigmentation is a common concern and has many causes including lentigines and melasma. Currently available topical products for hyperpigmentation are limited by their potential for irritation, lack of demonstrated efficacy or regulatory concerns.

Objective: To compare the efficacy of a new skin lightening product with and without iontophoresis to a known effective product (tretinoin) and placebo on hyperpigmentation caused by lentigines and/or melasma.

A review of lasers and light for the treatment of onychomycosis.

Background And Objective: Onychomycosis is a common fungal infection that affects many individuals. Systemic therapies are effective, but are limited by their side effects and potential for hepatotoxicity. Topical therapies have less serious side effects, yet provide only limited efficacy due to their inability to penetrate the nail plate.

Aquagenic wrinkling of the palms: A case report and literature review.

Aquagenic wrinkling of the palms (AWP) is a condition that results in pain and edema of the hands after exposure to water. We describe a 32-year-old woman who presented with a several-year history of AWP. She was unable to tolerate a 20 percent aluminum chloride solution because of irritation, but a gel formulation of 15 percent aluminum chloride controlled her symptoms without side effects.

Effects of non-invasive, 1,210 nm laser exposure on adipose tissue: results of a human pilot study.

Background And Objectives: Laser radiation (1,210 nm) has been previously shown to be capable of selective photothermolysis of adipose tissue in vitro when applied non-invasively. The objective of this pilot study was to evaluate the in vivo effects of this laser in human subjects.

Study Design/materials And Methods: Twenty-four adult subjects were exposed non-invasively on the abdomen to a 1,210 nm laser at fluences of 70, 80, and 90 J/cm(2), with a 10 mm spot size, 5 seconds pre-cooling, and 3 seconds exposure duration delivered with parallel contact cooling.

An evidence-based assessment of treatments for cellulite.

Cellulite, a skin surface change that is nearly ubiquitous in women, is a condition that remains elusive to treatment. In fact, no treatment is completely successful as none are more than mildly and temporarily effective. Despite the lack of evidence to support efficacy, treatment options continue to proliferate.

Persistent erythema multiforme and CMV infection.

Persistent erythema multiforme is a rare disorder with only 23 known cases reported in the literature. Persistent erythema multiforme has been reported in association with Epstein-Barr virus, herpes virus, hepatitis C virus, influenza, inflammatory bowel disease, and a variety of neoplasms. To our knowledge, this case is the first case of persistent erythema multiforme reported in association with cytomegalovirus infection.

Fractional photothermolysis: treatment of facial and nonfacial cutaneous photodamage with a 1,550-nm erbium-doped fiber laser.

Purpose: To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of a novel nonablative 1,550 nm erbium-doped fiber laser in the treatment of facial and non-facial photodamaged skin.

Methods: 50 patients with mild to moderate cutaneous photodamage, rhytides, and dyspigmentation received 3 successive treatments at 3-4 week intervals with a 1,550 nm erbium-doped fiber laser (Fraxel, Reliant Technologies Inc., San Diego, CA).

Laser hair removal.

Since 1996, there have been numerous advances in hair laser removal that utilize melanin as a chromophore. All of the devices on the market may be used in patients with light skin (phototypes I-III) and yield hair reduction near 75%. The ruby (694 nm) laser, alexandrite (755 nm) laser, and diode (810 nm) laser, as well as intense pulsed light are commonly used devices for hair laser removal.