Analysis of skin aging patterns using a facial imaging system in patients with atopic dermatitis.

BACKGROUND: There are few studies on skin aging in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD). OBJECTIVES: To clarify the characteristics of facial skin aging in AD patients. MATERIALS & METHODS: Using facial images obtained by a digital imaging system (VISIA evolution), we compared the severity scores for 10 aging signs in 53 women in the AD group and 29 women in the healthy control group, all 35-49 years old. RESULTS: The severity scores for fine lines on the forehead, periorbital wrinkles, nasolabial folds, and texture of the mouth contour were significantly higher in the AD group than in the controls. However, in order to exclude a direct effect of dermatitis at the time of measurement, cases with signs of AD at the evaluation site were excluded from the AD group (defined as the AD [non-lesion] group), revealing no statistical significance between the AD (non-lesion) group and the healthy control group for any of the 10 facial signs. Age subset analysis showed that for individuals in their late 40s, the AD (non-lesion) group exhibited significantly higher scores for crow's feet wrinkle and nasolabial fold compared to the healthy control group. Furthermore, these two scores correlated with one other, suggesting that they may be induced by the same factors. CONCLUSION: The results of this study show that skin aging associated with AD is prominent in areas prone to transient wrinkling by frequent blinking and speaking or facial expressions. Understanding of the need for appropriate AD treatment from a cosmetic perspective may increase patient adherence.

Annular lichen planus.

BACKGROUND: Annular lichen planus is a clinical variant of lichen planus, and its characteristic lesions are annular plaques consisting of a narrow rim of activity and a depressed center. OBJECTIVE: This article presents two cases of annular lichen planus, a 39-year-old woman and a 45-year-old woman. METHODS AND RESULTS: In both cases, lesions developed mainly on the femoral regions. Histopathological specimens from the margin of the lesion demonstrated liquefaction degeneration of the epidermis and band-like infiltrate of lymphocytes in the upper dermis, whereas there was very mild infiltrate in the upper dermis from the center. In the center, elastic fibers were more fragmented and less numerous than in the margin. Although topical corticosteroid tape was effective for one case, new lesions developed several times over two years in the other. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that this clinical behavior is from elastolysis as a result of inflammation.