Search Results (10)

Background: The purpose of this paper is to report the case of a patient who developed a local allergic reaction to the pigment used for permanent eyebrow makeup. In addition, the authors’ protocol for the treatment of such a complication is proposed. Methods: A patient visited the clinic to remove permanent eyebrow makeup. In the patient’s opinion, the eyebrows were too dark and incorrectly shaped. Upon physical examination of the brows, they were found to be over-pigmented and drawn outside the area of hair growth of the natural brow. Results: The patient underwent 24 treatment procedures to remove the pigmentation including four sessions of laser therapy and subsequent treatments using a chemical substance (remover). No adverse effects occurred during the initial phase of makeup removal (black pigment removal), but an allergic reaction appeared with the removal of the red-orange colored pigment (after the fourth laser therapy session). The following symptoms appeared: redness, swelling, and the appearance of papules filled with both serous fluid and pigment used for the permanent makeup. After each remover treatment, the allergic reaction decreased, and local symptoms gradually subsided. Additionally, topical corticosteroid treatment was implemented peri-procedurally. The patient’s case suggests a secondary allergic reaction to the red-orange pigment used for permanent makeup. Conclusions: The literature on this topic is scarce; therefore, we present a regimen for the management of such complications. In addition, we draw attention to the fact that allergic reactions to pigment may not always occur immediately following skin pigmentation but may become apparent long after the procedure, such as when the allergen is “exposed” during an attempt to remove or correct the makeup. Full article

The Koebner phenomenon (KP), also known as the isomorphic response, describes the process by which new lesions that are clinically and histologically identical to a patient’s existing skin disease develop following trauma. Many skin diseases exhibit this characteristic, with variations that include possible, questionable, and pseudo-Koebner reactions, with the latter category occurring due to infectious agents seeding at a trauma site. Laser application, a type of controlled skin injury used for improving cutaneous lesions and skin rejuvenation, is also considered a form of trauma. This raises the question of whether controlled thermal injury can be regarded as a type of mechanical trauma capable of producing Koebner-related reactions. We conducted a literature review of cases or studies to identify laser-induced dermatoses that correspond to Koebner-related or pathergy reaction categories. As a whole, we identified nine case reports on true KPs, two cases on possible KPs, seventeen cases on laser-induced questionable KPs comprising cases of vasculitis, eczema or Meyerson reactions, and eruptive squamous atypia cases (ESA) as well as two pseudo-Koebner cases involving wart occurrences at laser application sites. Laser-induced Koebner reactions highlight several aspects of the KP. Firstly, the type of mechanical damage influences disease promotion, as different lasers are associated with different KPs. For example, hair removal lasers are linked with true and questionable KPs such as vasculitis while resurfacing lasers were found to be more connected with ESA occurrence. Secondly, the laser target is significant, with vascular laser application for port-wine stains tending to result in eczematous reactions, while hair follicle destruction can frequently lead to true KPs. Thirdly, the number of sessions matters; true KPs and eruptive squamous atypia questionable KPs typically appear after one to two sessions, whereas eczematous reactions require more sessions (at least four). Additionally, skin phototype is crucial, with darker phototypes showing a higher KP frequency as laser treatment for hypertrichosis relies on melanin absorption in the hair bulge or bulb for follicle destruction, as chromophore competes with the abundant melanin in the epidermis. Further research with larger-scale studies into trauma-specific Koebner reactions is vital for refining treatment protocols, minimizing post-laser adverse effects, and improving dermatological care outcomes. Full article

Permanent makeup (PMU) is a popular application for the correction of face and body imperfections. It can be applied over the facial area to correct the shape and color of eyebrows, to the eyelids to create permanent eyeliner shapes, and the lips to create permanent lipliner and lip shading features. Furthermore, its “medical” use on the scalp and men’s facial hair area to camouflage hair follicles and to cover hairless areas makes it popular for hair transplants. No matter how useful these procedures are, there are always mistakes and the factor of bad application which raises the number of patients who want to “remove” it or “correct” it on their face or body. In order to find a non-laser solution for PMU removal, we investigated the decolorization capacity of common plants and plant origin extracts on mouse models. Two methods were used for PMU decolorization. The first one included the use of traditional tattooing with needles combined with plant origin extracts applied over the tattooed area. The second one included the use of electroporation technology application with the combination of plant origin materials to remove the PMU colorants over the tattooed area. In both cases, the permanent makeup colorants for eyebrows, eyeliners, and lipliners were applied in vivo. Full article

Hirsutism is a distressing condition that can affect women’s self-esteem due to the excessive amount of hair growth in different body parts, including the face. A temporary managing option is to develop a self-care routine to remove unwanted hair through shaving or waxing. Laser or electrolysis are alternative methods, but in some cases, the use of medications, such as the topical cream Vaniqa^®, can help in reducing the growth of unwanted hair. Electrospun fibers have been used in several drug delivery applications, including skin care products, owing to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, high surface area-to-volume ratio, and dry nature that can release the encapsulated drugs with maximum skin penetration. Therefore, polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) fibers were fabricated in combination with hyaluronic acid to deliver the active compound of Vaniqa^®, i.e., Eflornithine hydrochloride (EFH), as a face mask to inhibit excess facial hair growth. The prepared drug-loaded fibers showed a diameter of 490 ± 140 nm, with an encapsulation efficiency of 88 ± 7% and a drug loading capacity of 92 ± 7 μg/mg. The in vitro drug release of EFH-loaded fibers exhibited an initial burst release of 80% in the first 5 min, followed by a complete release after 360 min, owing to the rapid disintegration of the fibrous mat (2 s). The in vitro cytotoxicity indicated a high safety profile of EFH at all tested concentrations (500–15.625 μg/mL) after 24-h exposure to human dermal fibroblast (HFF-1) cells. Therefore, this drug-loaded nanofibrous system can be considered a potentially medicated face mask for the management of hirsutism, along with the moisturizing effect that it possesses. Topical applications of the developed system showed reduced hair growth in mice to a certain extent. Full article

Atypical clinical and dermoscopic findings, or changes in pigmented melanocytic lesions located on body areas treated with lasers or intense pulsed light (IPL) for hair removal (photoepilation), have been described in the literature. There are three prospective studies in a total of 79 individuals with 287 melanocytic nevi and several case reports reporting the dermoscopic findings and changes after photoepilation. Clinical changes have been reported in 20–100% of individuals, while dermoscopic changes have been observed in 48% to 93% of nevi. More frequent dermoscopic changes included bleaching, the development of pigmented globules, and irregular hyperpigmented areas and regression structures, including gray areas, gray dots/globules, and whitish structureless areas. The diagnostic approach for pigmented lesions with atypical dermoscopic findings and changes after photo-epilation included reflectance confocal microscopy, sequential digital dermoscopy follow-up, and/or excision and histopathology. Challenges pertaining to these diagnostic steps in the context of photoepilation include the detection of findings that may warrant a biopsy to exclude melanoma (ugly duckling, irregular hyperpigmented areas, blue-gray or white areas, and loss of pigment network), the potential persistence of changes at follow-up, and that a histopathologic diagnosis may not be possible due to the distortion of melanocytes or complete regression of the lesion. Furthermore, these diagnostic approaches can be time-consuming, require familiarization of the physician with dermoscopic features, may cause anxiety to the individual, and highlight that avoiding passes of the laser or IPL devices over pigmented lesions is key. Full article

In this study, a comprehensive and realistic model of laser light interaction with skin and hair was constructed. The model was applied to study the characteristics of laser-tissue interaction for the deeply penetrating Nd:YAG laser. Three types of finite element method (FEM) models were developed. In the first model, the hair shaft grew straight out of the follicle; in the second model, it grew at a variable angle; and in the third model, an array of hair was considered. The transport equation and heat diffusion equation were solved with the mesh-based Monte Carlo method and partial differential equations, respectively. The results of the simulations indicated that the area of necrosis increased with increasing fluence; cooling had a limited effect on the extent of necrosis, particularly at a fluence of 80 J/cm². The thermal damage to hair follicles on the periphery of an irradiated array of hair may be insufficient for achieving necrosis. The pulse itself and the short cooling-down period after the pulse contributed the most to the final thermal damage to the hair follicle. The FEM modeling of laser-tissue interaction has proven to be a useful tool for studying the influence of different therapeutic parameters on the resulting hair and skin damage. Full article

Background and objectives: Hirsutism is characterized by the abnormal presence of hair in women, which occurs in typically male areas. The causes of this symptom can be many; however, it is often associated with PCOS. Among the most effective procedures that can be used for hair removal are lasers such as the Alex laser, Nd: YAG, and IPL. Materials and Methods: This study analyzed a total of 71 patients who were treated for hirsutism caused mainly by PCOS; the remaining cases were idiopathic. The patients were divided into two groups: the first group was treated with laser sources, specifically Alex and Nd: YAG, and the second group underwent treatment with IPL. The results were evaluated six months after the last treatment. Results: Out of 71 treated patients, all patients experienced good or excellent hair reduction with greater efficacy in laser-treated patients. The incidence of side effects was low, particularly in the IPL group. Conclusions: Both laser and IPL are efficient, safe, and tolerable procedures in treating PCOS-related and idiopathic facial hirsutism, and both have been shown to have a low rate of side effects. However, the Alex and Nd: YAG lasers guaranteed better hair removal results. A more extensive clinical study will be necessary to confirm our study’s results. Full article

Background and Objectives: Hair removal is a common aesthetic concern for patients referred to dermatologists and aesthetic physicians. Lasers and lights are one of the mainstays in the management of this condition. Among these devices, intense pulsed lights (IPLs) are broadly used in order to reduce the number and width of the hair present. Currently used techniques are associated with a high risk of side effects, such as hyper or hypopigmentation. Materials and Methods: Thirty patients seeking hair removal in one or more body areas with skin phototypes 1 to 4 were recruited to perform this study. All areas to be treated were divided into two equal regions; one side was treated with the standard IPL hair removal procedure, while the other was treated with a new “in-motion” IPL technology. Results and hair removal rates were evaluated six months after the last treatment. Results: Out of the 30 patients treated, all patients experienced hair reduction. No statistically significant difference in hair removal was noted among the two sides. A statistically significant reduction in pain during the procedure was observed in the side treated with the “in-motion” technique. Conclusions: Traditional and “in-motion” IPL techniques have similar results in hair removal; the “in-motion” technology seems to guarantee a better safety profile than the traditional technique, as well as maintains the same results over time and a faster treatment time. A more extensive clinical study will be necessary to confirm our study’s results. Full article

The increase in urban society in the use of cosmetic practices to rejuvenate oneself or obtain a more appealing appearance has influenced the practices of cosmetic dermatologists, general medical practitioners, plastic surgeons, and dental practitioners, among others. The pharmaceutical industry has evolved to meet customers’ desire to be more physically attractive irrespectively of age and gender. This study aimed to preliminarily explore Jordanian adults’ awareness of dental, facial, and other cosmetic procedures. The reasons for undergoing such cosmetic procedures and self-reported knowledge of the side effects or risks associated with these interventions were also explored. The results show that the participants had undergone various procedures to enhance their looks, attractiveness, and confidence. None of the female participants wanted to emulate a celebrity. Most participants were aware of the side effects associated with cosmetic procedures, which may be attributed to their educational backgrounds, as the participants’ minimum qualification was 12th grade and their easy access to information services such as electronic media. A multicenter, large-scale, regional study is required to determine the associations, correlations, and recommendations for individuals seeking cosmetic treatment, cosmetic health providers, and policymakers. Full article

Background and Objectives: Hair removal is a common cosmetic problem interesting more and more patients nowadays. Various laser treatments are currently available. Alexandrite and Nd:YAG laser are the most effective procedures in lighter and darker skin phototypes, respectively. Materials and Methods: A total of 40 patients seeking hair removal in one or more body areas with skin phototypes 2–6 was recruited to perform this study. Patients were divided into two groups. One group was treated with the standard Nd:YAG hair removal procedure, while the other group was treated with a new “in motion” Nd:YAG technology. Results and hair removal rates were evaluated six months after the last treatment. Results: Out of 40 patients treated, all patients experienced hair reduction. No statistically significant difference in hair removal was noted between the two groups; however, a statistically significant reduction in pain during the procedure was observed in the group treated with the “in motion” technique. Conclusions: While traditional and “in motion” Nd:YAG techniques have similar result outcomes in hair removal, the “in motion” technology seems to guarantee a better safety profile compared with the traditional technique. A more extensive clinical study will be necessary to confirm our study’s results. Full article