The efficacy and safety of the innovative cold atmospheric-pressure plasma technology in the treatment of striae distensae: A randomized controlled trial

Advancing chronic and acute wound healing with cold atmospheric plasma: cellular and molecular mechanisms, benefits, risks, and future directions

Chronic and acute wounds represent significant challenges in healthcare, often leading to prolonged recovery times and increased complications. While chronic wounds, such as diabetic foot ulcers and venous leg ulcers, persist due to underlying conditions and biofilm formation, acute wounds, including surgical incisions and burns, can also benefit from innovative therapeutic approaches. Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) has emerged as a promising non-invasive therapy capable of enhancing wound healing outcomes across both wound types. This review examines the cellular and molecular mechanisms by which CAP promotes wound repair, focusing on its modulation of inflammation, stimulation of angiogenesis, facilitation of tissue remodeling, and antimicrobial effects, which can potentially be used in regenerative medicine. CAP generates reactive oxygen and nitrogen species that influence key cellular processes, accelerating tissue regeneration while reducing bacterial load and preventing biofilm formation. Clinical applications of CAP have demonstrated its efficacy in improving wound healing metrics for both chronic and acute wounds. Despite promising results, translating CAP into routine clinical practice requires addressing challenges such as standardizing treatment protocols, assessing long-term safety, and developing portable devices. Future research should prioritize optimizing CAP parameters and exploring combination therapies to maximize its therapeutic potential. Overall, CAP represents a safe, effective, and versatile modality in wound management, with the potential to significantly improve patient outcomes in both chronic and acute wound care.

Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP): a revolutionary approach in dermatology and skincare

Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) technology has emerged as a revolutionary therapeutic technology in dermatology, recognized for its safety, effectiveness, and minimal side effects. CAP demonstrates substantial antimicrobial properties against bacteria, viruses, and fungi, promotes tissue proliferation and wound healing, and inhibits the growth and migration of tumor cells. This paper explores the versatile applications of CAP in dermatology, skin health, and skincare. It provides an in-depth analysis of plasma technology, medical plasma applications, and CAP. The review covers the classification of CAP, its direct and indirect applications, and the penetration and mechanisms of action of its active components in the skin. Briefly introduce CAP's suppressive effects on microbial infections, detailing its impact on infectious skin diseases and its specific effects on bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites. It also highlights CAP's role in promoting tissue proliferation and wound healing and its effectiveness in treating inflammatory skin diseases such as psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, and vitiligo. Additionally, the review examines CAP's potential in suppressing tumor cell proliferation and migration and its applications in cosmetic and skincare treatments. The therapeutic potential of CAP in treating immune-mediated skin diseases is also discussed. CAP presents significant promise as a dermatological treatment, offering a safe and effective approach for various skin conditions. Its ability to operate at room temperature and its broad spectrum of applications make it a valuable tool in dermatology. Finally, introduce further research is required to fully elucidate its mechanisms, optimize its use, and expand its clinical applications.

A Comparative Analysis of the Advances in Scar Reduction: Techniques, Technologies, and Efficacy in Plastic Surgery

The study provides a comprehensive analysis of the latest methodologies and treatments aimed at improving scar management. Scar formation results from the replacement of normal skin with fibroblasts, leading to a structured unidirectional collagen bundle, as opposed to the collagen sheet matrix found in healthy skin. This review categorizes scars into hypertrophic scars and keloids, each with distinct pathophysiological characteristics. It highlights the importance of consistent scar assessment using scales such as the Vancouver Scar Scale and the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale, emphasizing the need for standardized evaluation methods. The study systematically reviews various scar management techniques, ranging from traditional surgical methods to innovative treatments. Conventional approaches such as pressure garments and silicone gel sheeting are explored, noting their roles in maintaining hydration and occlusion. The efficacy of intralesional corticosteroid injections and laser therapies is discussed, with particular attention given to their combined use for optimal outcomes. The review also covers advanced techniques such as microneedling, platelet-rich plasma therapy, and stem cell-based treatments, detailing their mechanisms and potential benefits in scar remodelling. Additionally, the study underscores the emerging role of botulinum toxin A in both preventive and corrective scar treatments, offering promising results in reducing movement-induced scar exaggeration. The systematic review includes a thorough examination of existing literature, clinical trials, and meta-analyses to evaluate the effectiveness of these interventions. It concludes by calling for further research to refine these techniques and enhance their application in clinical practice, aiming to achieve better aesthetic and functional outcomes for patients with scars.

A Systematic Review on Treatment Outcomes of Striae

BACKGROUND

Striae are fine lines on the body that occur following rapid skin stretching (i.e., following pregnancy, puberty, weight change). The aim of this systematic review was to assess the current literature on treatment outcomes associated with striae.

OBJECTIVE

(1) To assess the efficacy and safety of different treatment options reported for striae and (2) to determine the most efficient treatment options for each subtype of striae.

METHODS

A systematic search was performed on MEDLINE, Embase, and PubMed with no publication date or language restrictions. All articles with original data and treatment outcomes were included.

RESULTS

One hundred fifty-one studies on the treatment of striae met inclusion criteria (83% female, mean age at diagnosis = 30.2), and 4,806 treatment outcomes of striae were described. Energy-based devices were the most reported modality (56%; n = 2,699/4,806), followed by topicals (19%; n = 919/4,806) and combinations (12%; n = 567/4,806). The highest rates of complete response were injection-based devices for striae distensae (7%; n = 12/172), CO 2 lasers for striae alba (4%; n = 12/341), and platelet-rich plasma injections for striae rubra (31%; n = 4/13).

CONCLUSION

Treatment options for striae are varied, likely indicating a lack of effective treatments due to the diversity in striae subtypes. Improved outcomes in striae management may be achieved with additional research on factors that predict treatment response.