Use of vegetable oils in dermatology: an overview.

Vegetable oils have been used for a wide variety of purposes since time immemorial; however, their principle use remains as skin moisturizers, especially in neonates and children. Because of their considerable efficacy and a low side effect profile and bearable cost, these oils are hugely popular as moisturizers among the common people in countries such as India. A wide variety of oils have been used, and newer ones are coming up with each passing day. This article focuses on the different types of vegetable oils and their varied uses in dermatology.

A rapid tattoo removal technique using a combination of pulsed Er:YAG and Q-Switched Nd:YAG in a split lesion protocol.

BACKGROUND: Tattoo removal has evolved over the years and though Q-switched laser is the 'workhorse' laser, it invariably requires multiple sittings, which are dependent on numerous factors, including the skin colour, location of the tattoo, age of the tattoo, colour of pigment used, associated fibrosis and the kind of tattoo treated. Though ablative lasers, both pulsed CO2 and Er:YAG, have been used for recalcitrant tattoos, very few studies have been done comparing them with pigment-specific lasers. Our study was based on the premise that ablating the epidermis overlying the tattoo pigment with Er:YAG could help in gaining better access to the pigment which would enable the Q-switched laser to work effectively with less beam scattering. OBJECTIVE: A study of rapid tattoo removal (RTR) technique using a combination of pulsed Er:YAG and Q-Switched Nd:YAG in a split lesion protocol. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective study was undertaken during 2010-13 at a laser Clinic in the Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi. A total of 10 patients were recruited, 5 of amateur tattoo and 5 of professional tattoo. After informed consent each tattoo was arbitrarily 'split' into two parts. One part was treated with QS Nd:YAG laser(1064 nm) and the other part with Er:YAG laser immediately followed by the QS Nd:YAG. The laser treatments were repeated at 6-week intervals until the tattoo pigment had cleared. On the combination side in subsequent sittings only the QS Nd:YAG was used, to minimize repetitive ablation. To ensure consistency in the intervention methods a trained dermatologist who was independent of the treatment delivery randomly rated 10% of the procedures. RESULTS: The mean improvement achieved by the Q-switched laser (2.93) was less than the combination laser (3.85) side (p = 0.001) and needed more sessions (3.8 vs. 1.6; p = 0.001). There was a statistically significant difference in the improvement on the combination side till the second session. On the combination side patients required a maximum of 2 sessions, while the Q-switched laser required 3-5 sessions for appreciable lightening. CONCLUSION: From our study it was concluded that use of a pulsed ablative laser may help in rapid removal of tattoos in conjunction with QS lasers with minimal side effects and can be used as a RTR.

An observational study of methionine-bound zinc with antioxidants for mild to moderate acne vulgaris.

APC is a novel methionine-based zinc complex with antioxidants that has been used in acne as a nutritional supplement. This is based on the proven role of zinc and antioxidants in improving acne, specially the inflammatory lesions. The objectives of this study are to explore the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of APC in acne patients with mild to moderate facial acne vulgaris. In this exploratory trial, 48 patients were treated with oral APC thrice a day for 3 months followed by a 4-week treatment-free period. At the end of treatment (Week 12), there was a statistically significant improvement in the global acne count (p < 0.05), which began after 8 weeks (p < 0.05). Almost 79% (38/48) of the patients had 80-100% improvement. There was a significant reduction in pustules (8 weeks (p < 0.05) and 12 weeks (p < 0.001)), and papules and closed comedones (8 weeks (p < 0.05) and 12 weeks (p < 0.001)). Only two patients had side effects. The current data indicate that treatment with oral APC thrice daily for 12 weeks in patients with mild to moderate facial acne vulgaris is efficacious and well tolerated. As the onset of action is late, concomitant topical therapy can enhance the results.

Malignant transformation of donovanosis (granuloma inguinale) in a HIV-positive patient.

Donovanosis is endemic in various parts of the world. Although donovanosis has been reported to co-exist with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, to our knowledge there have been no reports of co-existent squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in an HIV positive patient. In our case the patient did not respond to treatment for donovanosis and on biopsy we realized that the patient had coexistent SCC, which is hitherto unreported with granuloma inguinale.