Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology

BACKGROUND: Atrophic acne scarring is a widely prevalent condition and one of the most distressing complications of acne vulgaris. Numerous options with variable outcomes are available for the treatment of acne scarring. Laser is considered a first-line therapy for acne scars, and recently there has been a growing interest in using stem cells and their derivatives for treating acne scars. In addition, combined therapeutic modalities often achieve more satisfactory results than a single treatment...

Vitiligo is a skin depigmentation disease resulting from melanocyte destruction and often co-occurring with autoimmune disorders like hyperthyroidism, alopecia areata, pernicious anemia, and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Although various traditional treatments exist for vitiligo, their effectiveness varies considerably. This report presents a unique case of a vitiligo patient with concomitant systemic lupus erythematosus. Remarkably, after a 30-day course of treatment with tofacitinib, complete repigmentation of the white macular rash was achieved, and there were no adverse drug reactions...

BACKGROUND: Mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes (MSC-Exo) have therapeutic potential. However, the impact of MSC-Exo on the survival and melanogenesis of human primary melanocytes following H2 O2 -induced damage has not been clarified. We therefore investigated the effects of MSC-Exo on the H2 O2 -affected survival of human primary melanocytes and their proliferation, apoptosis, senescence, and melanogenesis in vitro. METHODS: MSC-Exo were prepared from human MSCs by sequential centrifugations and characterized by Transmission Electron Microscopy, Western blot and Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis...

Piebaldism is a rare genetic disorder caused by KIT mutations and clinically characterized by fixed depigmented patches throughout the body. Herein, a case of piebaldism in which the depigmented patches regressed as the patient grew older, along with the development of multiple café-au-lait macules, is described. The likely pathogenic, heterozygous KIT c.1991-2A>G variant was detected as the potential cause of this unusual piebaldism phenotype. This case provides new knowledge on genotype-phenotype correlation of KIT mutations for piebaldism etiology and presentation...

PURPOSE: To produce Panax notoginseng extract as a cosmetic ingredient through Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation. METHODS: We first compared the total sugar content, polysaccharide content, reducing sugar content, total phenolic content, total saponin content, DPPH free radical, ABTS free radical, hydroxyl free radical scavenging ability and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) of Panax notoginseng fermented extract ( pn FE) and unfermented extract ( pn WE)...

BACKGROUND: The utilization of low-dose oral minoxidil (LDOM) has emerged as a relatively new treatment option for hair loss, gaining recognition among dermatologists worldwide. OBJECTIVE: To assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice patterns among dermatologists in Saudi Arabia regarding the use of LDOM in the management of hair loss. METHODS: An online survey, which was distributed to dermatologists practicing in Saudi Arabia through email and mobile messages...

Restructuring an aging face from bone structure to the surface of the skin can be metaphorically compared to building and renovating a house. While each anatomical layer of the face undergoes an aging process of its own, there is also an interdependency of superficial structures on deeper layers, so that a change in one layer may lead to changes to the adjacent layers. This interaction among the structures deep into the skin, along with the skin's ability to envelope them is what determine the aspect of the aging face...

We describe a case involving a 19-year-old female with who presented with bilateral nipple-areola brown patches persisting for five years. The diagnosis of hyperkeratosis of the nipple and areola (HNA) was established through dermoscopy and histopathology. The findings highlight the value of dermoscopy in the diagnosis and differentiation of HNA.

AIM: Mycobacterium abscessus is ubiquitous in the environment and seldom causes infections in immunocompetent individuals. However, skin and soft tissue infections caused by M. abscessus have been reported in recent years. Additionally, the cutaneous infections or outbreaks post cosmetic surgery caused by M. abscessus have been increasing due to the popularity of plastic surgery. The main modes of transmission are through contaminated saline, disinfectants, or surgery equipment, as well as close contact between patients...

Upadacitinib is a selective Janus kinase inhibitor approved for the treatment of severe atopic dermatitis (AD). This systematic review aims to summarize the most recent data in terms of effectiveness and safety of upadacitinib in the treatment of severe AD in a real-world setting. The review included a comprehensive search of databases, including PubMed, Google Scholar and Web of Science, according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. The literature search initially identified 242 studies...

PURPOSE: Collagen supplements are rising in the market as collagen has been demonstrated to be an important protein in the human aging process. Also, it is safe and easily absorbed in the body. Hence the aim of this study was to examine the effectiveness and safety of a collagen and antioxidant-rich treatment compared to a placebo in relation to various skin and hair indicators in healthy adult human subjects. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty healthy adult non-pregnant/non-lactating women (aged 38-50 years) provided their informed consent in writing before their participation...

Alopecia Areata is a hair disorder influenced by factors such as genetics, immune system, and environmental triggers. The pathogenesis of this condition is still unclear, leading to unsatisfactory current treatments and causing a large number of patients to suffer from it. Janus kinase inhibitors are a new class of drugs that have emerged in recent years and are expected to be promising therapeutic tools for alopecia areata. We report five patients with varying backgrounds and severity of alopecia areata. All of them had received conventional therapy without success...

Generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP) is the most severe form of pustular psoriasis and affects large areas of the body. GPP is a rare disease, and has a variable presentation; thus, its diagnosis is challenging. The onset of symptoms is rapid, with the appearance of painful skin erythema, followed by the widespread eruption of sterile pustules. Acute GPP (called a flare) is often accompanied by systemic symptoms, including high fever, pain in skin lesions, malaise, and fatigue. Approximately half of GPP flares require hospitalization, with an average inpatient duration of 10-14 days...

Managing HS has long posed a significant challenge for dermatologists. Adalimumab stands as the sole biologic drug sanctioned for HS, receiving approval in 2015 as an anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α drug. Real-life evidence over the years has debated its efficacy, suggesting a success rate hovering around 70%. However, the variability in existing treatments and the chronic-recurrent nature of the condition make its treatment and management exceedingly challenging. Hence, identifying new therapeutic targets for HS in the future becomes imperative...

BACKGROUND: Home beauty devices for facial rejuvenation utilizing technologies such as radiofrequency, microcurrent, and light emitting diode have gained widespread attention due to their claimed ability to improve skin tightness and elasticity, making them popular among consumers. However, there is controversy within the industry regarding the effectiveness and safety of these devices. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to verify the safety and effectiveness of these home beauty devices in treating skin aging based on relevant efficacy evaluation indicators...

Synovitis, acne, pustulosis, hyperostosis, and osteitis (SAPHO) syndrome is a rare chronic inflammatory disease mainly manifested as skin and osteoarticular lesions. Herein, we describe a female patient with SAPHO syndrome exhibited paradoxical psoriasis and primary palmoplantar pustulosis (PPP) worsened during treatment with adalimumab. We then switched to secukinumab and obtained significant improvement in both skin lesions and osteoarticular pain. These findings suggest that secukinumab might be an appropriate option for patients with SAPHO syndrome who present with TNF-α-inhibitor-induced paradoxical psoriasis...

PURPOSE: The physicochemical characteristics of hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers can affect the outcome of minimally invasive aesthetic treatments. The effect of a novel HA-based filler manufactured with a novel 3D structure (XTRTM technology) was assessed in the nasolabial fold. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective study of patients who underwent treatment of the nasolabial fold with a novel HA filler in our clinic. Treatment outcome was assessed at 3 and 6 months with wrinkle score, GAIS, and VAS...

BACKGROUND: Overweight and obesity have become public health problems worldwide. An increasing number of research works are focusing on skin physiology and the manifestations of obesity-associated skin diseases, but little is known about the correlations between body mass index (BMI), facial skin physiological parameters, and the facial skin microbiome in healthy women. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the correlations between BMI, facial skin physiological parameters and facial bacteria and fungi in 198 women aged 18 to 35 years in Shanghai...

Synovitis, acne, pustulosis, hyperostosis, and osteitis (SAPHO) syndrome, a rare immune-mediated inflammatory disease, poses diagnostic and therapeutic challenges owing to its multi-system involvement, high heterogeneity, and lack of specific laboratory tests. Additionally, lacking evidence-based treatment recommendations, with the primary approach focusing on symptomatic relief. Herein, we report the case of a 32-year-old Chinese woman who presented with recurrent, generalized multiple osteoarticular pain lasting over one year and skin erythema pustulosis for 11 months...

OBJECTIVE: To assess the correlations between Immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels, pruritus, and lesion severity in patients with eczema, atopic dermatitis, or urticaria. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted and data of 814 patients who visited the dermatology or allergy clinics of multiple hospitals, from December 2019 to December 2021, were collected. Patients were divided into children group (<18 years, 325 cases), adult group (18-60 years, 435 cases), and older population group (>60 years, 54 cases) based on the age...