The dark side of skin lightening: An international collaboration and review of a public health issue affecting dermatology.

Skin lightening (SL) for cosmetic reasons is associated with profound negative impacts on well-being and adverse effects on the skin, resulting in immense challenges for dermatologists. Despite current regulations, lightening agents continue to dominate the cosmetic industry. In this review, our international team of dermatologists tackles the topic of SL as a global public health issue, one of great concern for both women's health and racial implications.

Fractional Laser Resurfacing Treats Photoaging by Promoting Neocollegenesis and Cutaneous Edema.

Laser resurfacing is a common treatment for photoaging. This treatment creates skin incisions that initiate the wound healing cascade, including reorganization of the collagen matrix, in a dermal remodeling process that can last up to 12 months. We compared the effects of nonablative and ablative Erbium fractional laser resurfacing on dermal content and arrangement of Collagen Types I and III, and on fibroblast activation.

Effects of 1,540-nm Fractional Nonablative Erbium and 2,940-nm Fractional Ablative Erbium on p53 Epidermal Expression After 3 months: A Split-Face Interventional Study.

Background: Expression of p53 by keratinocytes may be important in the pathogenesis of skin cancer induced by ultraviolet light.

Objective: We used side-by-side nonablative and ablative erbium fractional laser resurfacing to assess the effects on expression of p53 by facial keratinocytes.

Methods: Ten female patients (age range, 50-63 years) with Fitzpatrick skin Types I-IV and clinical signs of photoaging underwent erbium fractional laser resurfacing (nonablative, 1,540-nm; ablative, 2,940-nm) on opposite sides of the face.

Photoaging and the clinical utility of fractional laser.

The description of atomic structure by Niels Bohr set the basis for the emergence of quantum physics. Based on these fundamentals, Einstein published in 1917 a paper on the amplification of energy by Stimulated Emission of Radiation as part of his quantum theories. In 1955, Townes and Gordon turned Einstein's theories into practice, creating a coherent and amplified microwave device using ammonia gas in an optical medium.

High Patient Satisfaction of a Hyaluronic Acid Filler Producing Enduring Full-Facial Volume Restoration: An 18-Month Open Multicenter Study.

Background: Volume restoration is an essential part of facial rejuvenation.

Objective: To assess long-term full-facial volume restoration using HAEL Volume Lidocaine hyaluronic acid filler.

Methods: An 18-month open study in 60 subjects with at least Grade 2 on the 4-point volume loss scale (VLS) for full face and at least 2 indications affected among chin, temporal areas, jawline, cheeks, cheekbones, and nasolabial folds (NLF).

Oral isotretinoin in photoaging: objective histological evidence of efficacy and durability.

Background: The off-label use of oral isotretinoin in photoaging is a therapeutic tool that has been used by dermatologists. There are few studies to corroborate its effectiveness and durability.

Objectives: To assess, both clinically and histologically, the changes caused by the use of oral isotretinoin in skin photoaging as well as the duration of the effects.

Granulomatous reaction to red tattoo pigment treated with allopurinol.

Granulomatous reactions to tattoo ink are most commonly associated with mercury sulfide, a component of red pigments. Treatment options show limited results. Allopurinol, an inhibitor of xanthine oxidase, has been reported as a successful alternative treatment to granulomatous disorders, such as sarcoidosis and granulomatous reactions to fillers and tattoos.

Oleoma treated with oral colchicine: Report of two cases and review of the literature.

Oleoma is a non-allergic, foreign body type granulomatous reaction. It appears as response to oily exogenous substances injected to the dermis or subcutis for aesthetical purposes. Treatment for localized lesions is surgical.

Fractional Erbium laser in the treatment of photoaging: randomized comparative, clinical and histopathological study of ablative (2940nm) vs. non-ablative (1540nm) methods after 3 months.

Background: Fractional non-ablative lasers keep the epidermis intact, while fractional ablative lasers remove it, making them theoretically more effective.

Objectives: To evaluate the clinical and histological alterations induced by fractional photothermolysis for treating photoaging, comparing the possible equivalence of multiple sessions of 1540nm Erbium, to one session of 2940nm Erbium.

Methods: Eighteen patients (mean age 55.

Polycystic ovary syndrome: a dermatologic approach.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (POS) is one of the most common endocrine abnormalities affecting women of reproductive age. It is a cause of significant social embarrassment and emotional distress. The pathogenesis of the disease is not yet fully understood, but it is thought to be a complex multigenic disorder, including abnormalities in the hypothalamic-pituitary axis, steroidogenesis, and insulin resistance.

Photodynamic therapy: a review of the literature and image documentation.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) consists of a chemical reaction activated by light energy that is used to selectively destroy tissue. The reaction requires a photosensitizer in the target tissue, a light source and oxygen. The most extensively studied photosensitizing agents for PDT are 5-aminolevulinic acid for the treatment of actinic keratosis and methyl-aminolevulinate, which has been approved for the treatment of actinic keratosis, basal cell carcinoma and Bowen's disease.

[Objective methods for analyzing outcomes in research studies on cosmetic dermatology].

Cosmetic dermatology is a field of medicine that is in constant development; therefore, the use of objective methods for validating the findings of scientific studies is crucial. The most commonly used techniques in the majority of these studies include histopathology, immunohistochemistry, morphometry, stereology, digital photography, biometry, optical profilometry and confocal microscopy. The objective of this review was to provide an update on the principal methods used as tools for analyzing outcomes and also to provide the dermatologist with means of sharpening his/her critical judgement with respect to the publications and presentations that use subjective evaluation methods.

Photorejuvenation with topical methyl aminolevulinate and red light: a randomized, prospective, clinical, histopathologic, and morphometric study.

Background: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an option for skin rejuvenation. Although many studies report clinical improvement with PDT in photodamaged skin, histologic and morphometric evidence is not documented in most cases.

Objective: To evaluate clinical and histopathologic changes induced by methyl aminolevulinate (MAL)-PDT and to morphometrically quantify collagen and elastic fibers in skin remodeling induced by MAL-PDT in photodamaged skin.

Cosmeceuticals vitamins.

The term cosmeceutical was created over 25 years ago to define products with active substances that cannot be considered cosmetics or drugs. Cosmeceuticals are increasingly popular, with sales representing one of the largest growing segments of the skin care market. These products are found in many forms, including vitamins, peptides, growth factors, and botanical extracts.