Efficacy of 308-nm Xenon Chloride Excimer Laser in Pityriasis Alba

Post-Inflammatory Hypopigmentation: Review of the Etiology, Clinical Manifestations, and Treatment Options

Post-inflammatory hypopigmentation is a common acquired pigmentary disorder that is more prominent in skin of color, leading to great cosmetic and psychosocial implications. Often, a diagnosis with a pigmentary disorder can negatively impact an individual's health-related quality of life and may result in stigma. Although most cases of post-inflammatory hypopigmentation resolve spontaneously over time, a systematic diagnostic approach can help with identifying the underlying etiology and informing treatment strategies. It can be due to cutaneous inflammation, sequelae of inflammatory or infectious dermatoses, or dermatologic procedures. Therefore, a thorough understanding of the epidemiology, patient history, physical exam findings, and clinical features of post-inflammatory hypopigmentation phenomenon can explain the primary cause to providers and allow for patient education. It is also important to understand the various therapeutic approaches available and the efficacy of these options, which will inform providers to choose the appropriate therapy for patients. Although algorithms exist for classifying acquired disorders of hypopigmentation, there are no established algorithms for the diagnosis and treatment of post-inflammatory hypopigmentation, which warrants further exploration and discourse.

Analysis of Epidemic Characteristics and Related Pathogenic Factors of 2726 Cases of Pityriasis Alba

Purpose

To understand the distribution characteristics of onset time, onset age and gender of pityriasis alba (PA) patients in the dermatology clinic of our hospital and to further explore the pathogenesis of the disease to provide a scientific basis for the prevention and treatment of this disease.

Patients and Methods

The clinical data of 2726 outpatients with PA diagnosed for the first time from January 2016 to December 2020 were collected and descriptively analyzed.

Results

The number of patients with PA was less from January to March. The peak was reached in July and August. The number of cases affected by the COVID-19 epidemic in 2020 was significantly lower than that in previous years. Furthermore, the onset age of the patients ranged from 0 to 64 years old, and the median age of the total population was 7 (3, 13) years old, including 1566 males (57.45%) and 1160 females (42.55%). The ratio of male to female was 1.35:1. The number of male patients before 18 years old was higher than that of female patients, especially in the high paroxysmal age group.

Conclusion

PA can be seen all the year round, and the onset peak of the disease is from July to August every year. It occurs frequently at the age of 1 to 14 before puberty. In the season of high incidence of PA, the protection from sun and moisture retention should be strengthened for infants and adolescents.

Pityriasis in dermatology: an updated review

Dermatology has a very distinctive lexicon. The term pityriasis refers to several dermatologic conditions which all feature scaling of the skin. According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, the term pityriasis was first used in print in 1684. Although the diseases beginning with the name pityriasis are of diverse causation, they do represent important dermatologic diseases, with some common and others quite rare. It is important for dermatologists to be aware and updated on all pityriasis conditions in dermatology.

Beyond the Booth: Excimer Laser for Cutaneous Conditions

The excimer laser has emerged as an efficacious treatment modality for many dermatologic diseases. The excimer laser is an alternative to standard narrowband ultraviolet B (NBUVB) phototherapy treatment in patients with limited disease. In comparison to standard NBUVB, the excimer laser requires fewer treatment sessions, has reduced treatment duration, requires a lower cumulative UVB dose, and limits UVB exposure to lesional skin. This review addresses the mechanism, safety, application, and efficacy of the excimer laser for the treatment of these conditions.

Pityriasis Alba--Common Disease, Enigmatic Entity: Up-to-Date Review of the Literature

Pityriasis alba (PA) is a skin disorder that affects children and adolescents. Although it is common worldwide, its incidence is markedly higher in darker skin phototypes. Its characteristic features include an extended, multistage course and spontaneous remissions and recurrences. Preceded by erythematous changes, patches of hypopigmented skin of up to a few centimeters in diameter appear on the upper body. Pruritus may accompany it. Even though its etiology is unknown, possible reported triggering factors include sunlight, beauty treatments, and microorganisms, among others. Calcineurin inhibitors play the most crucial role in PA pharmacotherapy. PA often coexists with atopic dermatitis and is considered one of its milder forms.

Complications of minimally invasive cosmetic procedures: prevention and management

Over the past decade, facial rejuvenation procedures to circumvent traditional surgery have become increasingly popular. Office-based, minimally invasive procedures can promote a youthful appearance with minimal downtime and low risk of complications. Injectable botulinum toxin (BoNT), soft-tissue fillers, and chemical peels are among the most popular non-invasive rejuvenation procedures, and each has unique applications for improving facial aesthetics. Despite the simplicity and reliability of office-based procedures, complications can occur even with an astute and experienced injector. The goal of any procedure is to perform it properly and safely; thus, early recognition of complications when they do occur is paramount in dictating prevention of long-term sequelae. The most common complications from BoNT and soft-tissue filler injection are bruising, erythema and pain. With chemical peels, it is not uncommon to have erythema, irritation and burning. Fortunately, these side effects are normally transient and have simple remedies. More serious complications include muscle paralysis from BoNT, granuloma formation from soft-tissue filler placement and scarring from chemical peels. Thankfully, these complications are rare and can be avoided with excellent procedure technique, knowledge of facial anatomy, proper patient selection, and appropriate pre- and post-skin care. This article reviews complications of office-based, minimally invasive procedures, with emphasis on prevention and management. Practitioners providing these treatments should be well versed in this subject matter in order to deliver the highest quality care.