Concordance among in vivo reflectance confocal microscopy, trichoscopy, and histopathology in the evaluation of scalp discoid lupus.

BACKGROUND: Reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) has been used for the evaluation of several inflammatory skin conditions, including skin discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE), and has been correlated with conventional histopathology (HP). However, RCM is not being widely used in trichology. Few reports and just preliminary data suggest the use of RCM as a complementary tool in alopecias. OBJECTIVES: To correlate the major RCM features of scalp DLE with trichoscopy and HP findings of biopsy specimens obtained from the same lesions. METHODS: This is an observational, analytical, and cross-sectional study involving 12 patients with a clinically established diagnosis of scalp DLE. Patients underwent global clinical photograph, trichoscopy, and RCM examination in the same site followed by two 4-mm punch biopsy specimens for HP analysis. Inter-methods agreement among RCM imaging, trichoscopy, and horizontal histopathology sections (HHS) were calculated using Cohen Kappa (k) statistics. RESULTS: Statistical analysis of the agreement between RCM and HP features disclosed an overall agreement similar to skin DLE. Seven of the eleven features evaluated had agreement superior to 75%. We also evaluated RCM features associated with three of their corresponding trichoscopic findings for further investigation of their agreement with HP. Statistical analysis showed an enhancement with agreement of 86% when the non-invasive techniques are used together. CONCLUSION: Consistent correlation between RCM and HP observed in our study supports the reliability of RCM in the diagnosis of scalp DLE. RCM may be considered a promising tool for scalp DLE microscopic evaluation and presents similar RCM features to DLE in other body sites. By associating clinical, trichoscopic and RCM evaluation, dermatologists will have a non-invasive arsenal for the assessment of hair and scalp disorders, benefiting patients.

Straight to the Point: What Do We Know So Far on Hair Straightening?

BACKGROUND: Hair represents a valued aspect of human individuality. The possibility of having an easy to handle hairstyle and changing it from time to time promoted an increasing search for chemical hair transformations, including hair straightening. Hair straightening is the process used to convert curly into straight hair. AIMS: This review aims to discuss hair straightening, addressing techniques, products, methods of application, consequences to hair shafts, recommendations on this topic, and the risks involving the safety of both the user and the performing professional. METHODS AND RESULTS: The terms "straightening" AND "hair," "straightening" AND "alopecia," and "straightening" AND "human hair" were used to perform a literature search in MEDLINE through PubMed until July 15, 2020. We limited the search to articles available in English, considering those mentioning alternatives to straighten the hair. We had a total of 33 relevant articles. CONCLUSIONS: This article will help dermatologists to advise their patients, providing a more suitable orientation on how to get the best outcome without risking one's safety.

Permanent hair wavings: What dermatologists should know?

Hair represents an important aspect of human individuality. The possibility of having an easy to handle hairstyle and changing it from time to time promoted an increasing search for chemical hair transformations, including permanent wavings (PW). PW is the chemical process used to convert straight into curly hair. Significant findings have been made in this field within the last three decades. In the past few years, PW has come back up to date, helping to define curls in wavy and curly hair and to create waves in straight hair. "Afro permanent" and "Beach waves" are some popular names for these new uses of PW. The primary safety concerns for PW generally arise from misuse or failure to comply with the product's usage instructions. Skin irritation, hair breakage, oral toxicity, sensitization, and scarring alopecia have been reported in the literature. Therefore, dermatologists need to understand well this matter to properly advise patients on how to get the best outcome without hazards. This review aims to discuss the main types of reducing agents used, the different techniques, the consequences to hair shafts, and the most important patients' recommendations on this topic.

Use of vibrating anesthetic device reduces the pain of mesotherapy injections: A randomized split-scalp study.

Pain evaluation during local injections is a complex process. Injections cause patient's distress, especially when the target is a sensitive area such as scalp. Nonpharmacological methods as vibration before and during the procedure have been used to reduce pain. Mesotherapy has become a popular nonsurgical procedure for nonscarring alopecia, such as androgenetic alopecia (AGA) and alopecia areata (AA). Vibration has been successfully used in dermatological procedures, pediatrics, and dentistry. No study was found on vibration anesthesia during scalp mesotherapy. To analyze the effect of a vibration anesthetic device (VAD) during scalp mesotherapy on the patients' comfort.This is a randomized split-scalp study; thirty patients received mesotherapy with or without VAD on half of their scalp. Numerical rating scale (NRS) was used to measure self-reported pain. To test difference in means and medians in comparing device use and by treatment (AGA or AA), Student's t tests and Wilcoxon signed rank tests were used. Overall mean pain score on the no vibration-assisted side was 8.0 ± 1.0 while pain score for the vibration side was 2.3 ± 1.5, for AGA (P < .001) and 7.4 ± 1.2 and 2.1 ± 1.3, respectively, for AA (P < .001). Findings were similar for medians. No complications were found following procedure. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study analyzing the effect of VAD in patients undergoing scalp mesotherapy. The VAD technique was found to be safe, effective, simple, and suitable for scalp procedures.

Excellent response to mesotherapy as adjunctive treatment in male androgenetic alopecia.

Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is the most common type of alopecia. Currently, only topical minoxidil and oral finasteride, for men, are approved for its treatment. We report a case of a patient with male pattern AGA treated with topical minoxidil and oral finasteride for 2 years, with partial improvement. At this point, we added mesotherapy to the previous treatment. The patient had 20 sessions of sterile mesotherapy blend, containing minoxidil, finasteride, biotin, and D-panthenol. We did the injections every two weeks and made the response assessment with global clinical photographs at the 10th and the 20th sessions when we noted a significant visible improvement in hair density and thickness. Mesotherapy or intradermotherapy is defined as a technique that involves the use of multiple intradermal injections of a mixture of compounds in low doses, at many points, near/over the affected sites. In our case, the patient had an excellent response to intradermotherapy as an adjunctive treatment, with no side effects. Although we still need additional clinical trials to standardize the therapy and treatment guidelines, mesotherapy seems to be a therapeutic option in the treatment of AGA, especially if the procedure happens in a medical facility, with correct indication and adequate execution of this promising technique.

Pressure-Induced Alopecia: Presence of Thin Hairs as a Trichoscopic Clue for the Diagnosis.

Pressure-induced alopecia (PA) is an unusual pattern of circumscribed hair loss that occurs after ischemic changes on the scalp. Trichoscopic findings described in the literature are scarce, nonspecific, and include black dots, broken hairs, circle hairs, and erythema. However, we report 3 cases of PA in which trichoscopy also showed many vellus and thin hairs. Possibly, the maintenance of these hair shafts may be explained by the more superficial insertion of their bulbs on the skin and/or their lower metabolic rates, making them suffer less from local hypoxia. Therefore, the authors suggest that these relevant signs should be added as a clue for the diagnosis of PA in doubtful cases.

Facial Papules in Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia: Beyond Vellus Hair Follicle Involvement.

BACKGROUND: Frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA) is considered a variant of lichen planopilaris affecting mainly the frontotemporal hairline. Since the first report in 1994, several other clinical features have been associated with the disease, such as facial papules (FP). Even though FP have been linked to facial vellus hair follicle involvement, how this finding alone could lead to the formation of clinically evident FP in FFA patients had not yet been addressed. OBJECTIVE: To describe histopathological findings of FP in the context of FFA and to highlight features that may be linked to their clinical formation. METHODS: Cutaneous FP biopsies of FFA patients performed between January 2016 and May 2017 were retrieved from our pathology database and reexamined by 2 pathologists. RESULTS: Histological sections of thirteen 3.0-mm punch biopsy specimens (2 horizontally and 11 vertically oriented) were collected from 7 patients. Eleven specimens demonstrated prominent sebaceous glands and 10 dilated sebaceous ducts. Pinkus acid orcein staining revealed reduction and fragmentation of the elastic fibers in 12 samples and, in 7 of these, this finding was observed in both the papillary and reticular dermis, particularly around sebaceous lobules. Vellus hair follicle involvement was only seen in 2 samples. CONCLUSIONS: Prominent sebaceous lobules with dilated ducts associated with an abnormal elastic framework seem to be the main explanation for the formation of FP in the context of FFA.

Líquen escleroso associado ao vitiligo / Lichen sclerosus associated with vitiligo

O vitiligo é uma dermatose adquirida de provável etiologia autoimune que se caracteriza por manchas acrômicas assemelhando-se com outras doenças discrômicas. O líquen escleroso, atualmente considerado por alguns autores como uma forma de esclerodermia, apresenta etiologia indefinida, porém com possível componente autoimune na patogênese. A associação entre as duas doenças não é rara. Relatamos um caso de uma paciente do sexo feminino com líquen escleroso associado ao vitiligo na mesma região topográfica no qual a luz de Wood foi útil na delimitação de cada uma das lesões, facilitando o manejo das duas doenças.

Reação de Jarisch-Herxheimer na sífilis secundária - apresentação incomum / The Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction in secondary syphilis - unusual presentation

A reação de Jarisch-Herxheimer (RJH) é uma complicação benigna e autolimitada do tratamento antimicrobiano, sendo o exemplo clássico o tratamento da sífilis com penicilina benzatina. A sífilis é uma doença infecto-contagiosa sexualmente transmissível que pode afetar diversos órgãos e sistemas. Neste relato apresentamos o caso de um paciente do sexo masculino, 31 anos, apresentando manchas eritematosas no tronco e pápulas eritematosas, pequenas, algumas foliculares nos cotovelos, com VDRL positivo (1:128), que após a primeira dose de penicilina benzatina apresentou piora das lesões existentes e surgimento de novas lesões em cotovelos e joelhos. A RJH é caracterizada por um quadro febril, ocorrendo após a dose inicial de penicilina benzatina do tratamento para a sífilis, devido à lise das bactérias pela ação da droga. Sua ocorrência é mais comum na sífilis secundária e ocorre em cerca de 9% dos pacientes tratados com penicilina. A RJH é na maioria das vezes inofensiva, mas pode apresentar complicações graves devido à inflamação intensa. Seu tratamento pode ser feito com ácido acetilsalicílico e pode ser prevenida ou diminuída com a administração de corticoides.É importante o diagnóstico diferencial correto entre a RJH e a reação alérgica à penicilina, pois o diagnóstico incorreto de alergia traz prejuízo prognóstico, com a interrupção do tratamento. A profilaxia da RJH não é recomendada de rotina. O conhecimento sobre a RJH é necessário aos profissionais de saúde para a correta avaliação do quadro e informação ao paciente.