Psoriasis and seasonal variation: A systematic review on reports from Northern and Central Europe-Little overall variation but distinctive subsets with improvement in summer or wintertime.

BACKGROUND: Positive influence of the sun on psoriasis is a common assumption in dermatology. Other season-related factors such as mental health may interfere. However, the role of seasonal effects on psoriasis needs to be clarified. This review aims to systematically analyze the literature on seasonal variation on psoriasis with emphasis on Northern and Central Europe representing temperate climate conditions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Enrolled literature was identified through PubMed, EMBASE, and BIOSIS. An additional manual search of old reports before the introduction of efficient modern therapies, which can interfere with the spontaneous disease, was performed. RESULTS: Thirteen studies were enrolled. About 50% of psoriasis patients were stable and showed no seasonal difference between seasons. Approximately 30% improved in summer, and 20% performed better in winter, some with marked summer worsening. European results matched international reports from different continents and hemispheres with climate extremes. The psychological effects could not be ruled out. CONCLUSION: About 50% of psoriasis patients experience a season-independent disease, however, with a subset of patients who do better in summer. Others again do better in winter, with a few of these having marked worsening in warm periods. Individual season-related activity records should be paid proper attention to when considering light therapy or climatotherapy as a treatment.

A Practical Approach to Cosmetic Tattoo Removal with the Nd:YAG Laser.

The Q-switched neodymium-yttrium aluminium garnet (Nd:YAG) laser remains the gold standard method for tattoo removal including cosmetic tattoos. Modern picosecond lasers are referenced to the Nd:YAG laser and essentially do the same job. Persons with cosmetic tattoos in the face are especially eager to achieve perfect removal or correction and from start are critical to suboptimal results. Customers mostly request complete removal; sometimes the goal is fast treatment and bleaching to prepare for a cover up tattoo. Removal or correction of eyebrows is the largest group, followed by lip tattoos and eyeliners. The article gives a systematic and stepwise introduction to routine cosmetic tattoo removal by laser in an Austrian private medical practice. Rationales and selection of customers who can benefit from treatment, preparation, performance, and aftercare is reviewed. Emphasis is given to qualified power adjustment of the laser equipment and the treatment strategy, e.g. the delicate navigation between efficient removal and the risk of short-term and long-term adverse effects. Treatment relies on a partnership between provider and customer. Over the months of treatment, customers gain more insight into the possibilities of treatment, so that they get an understanding of the realistic results that can be achieved. Therefore, customers are also satisfied even with results that are not always optimal since best treatment was given a fair chance.

Development of an in vivo animal model for skin penetration in hairless rats assessed by mass balance.

The aim of the study was to develop an in vivo animal model for studies of the penetration of topically applied drugs into the skin of hairless rats. Protective appliances were designed for non-occluded and finite-dose application of topical formulations. The design allowed 2 test sites for each rat and free mobility throughout the test period. By consecutive tape stripping, monitored by measurements of transepidermal water loss and confirmed by histological examination of skin biopsies, 10 tape strippings were found to remove the stratum corneum completely. For assessment of the model, (14)C-salicylic acid and (14)C-butyl salicylate were topically applied. Rapid and differentiated percutaneous absorption of both compounds were shown by urinary excretion data. For (14)C-salicylic acid the amount on the skin surface, in the stratum corneum and in the viable skin was determined. Total mass balance on the applied radioactivity was performed and a recovery of 90 +/- 2% was achieved. The radioactivity found in the protective appliances (<10%) was explained by lateral skin diffusion of the model compounds into the dressings.