[Cosmetic dermatology in German dermatology departments--outcome of a national survey].

The demand for non-surgical cosmetic treatments has grown considerably in recent years. It appears German dermatology departments now also increasingly seem to offer many of these methods. In 2001 we evaluated the use of different non-surgical cosmetic techniques in German dermatology departments through means of a national questionnaire.

Increased epidermal functioning wild-type p53 expression in vitiligo.

Despite the lack of protective melanin and increased oxidative stress due to mM concentrations of epidermal H2O2 in vitiligo, there is no significantly increased risk for chronic actinic damage and non-melanoma skin cancer. Therefore the question arises, which protective mechanisms could be involved in the skin of these patients preventing the initiation of these cancers. Recently an overexpression of p53 has been shown in vitiligo.

Rapid initiation of repigmentation in vitiligo with Dead Sea climatotherapy in combination with pseudocatalase (PC-KUS).

Background: Low catalase levels and cellular vacuolation in the epidermis of patients with vitiligo support major oxidative stress in this compartment. There is now in vivo evidence for increased epidermal hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) accumulation in this patient group by utilizing noninvasive Fourier Transform Raman spectroscopy (FT Raman). Epidermal H(2)O(2) can be removed with a topical application of narrow band UVB activated pseudocatalase cream (PC-KUS).

Can the immersion time of PUVA bath therapy be shortened?

Up to now, there are only a few data available concerning the influence of bathing time on skin phototoxicity. We compared the erythemal responses of normal skin to bath PUVA with 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP) after 5, 10 and 20 min immersion time. Currently, 20 min is the routinely performed immersion time in many European countries, including Germany, while in other countries bathing times are shorter.

Do we alter ultraviolet sensitivity in vivo with stratum corneum rehydration? A pilot study and review of the literature.

Background: Numerous therapeutic schemes recommend topical administration of emollients immediately prior to ultraviolet (UV) B therapy. The rationale behind the clinical improvement is a presumed enhancement of UV transmission through the epidermis. Originating from this clinical observation, there has been some concern as to whether a well-hydrated skin in general might be more susceptible to actinic damage.