A novel cosmetic antifungal/anti-inflammatory topical gel for the treatment of mild to moderate seborrheic dermatitis of the face: an open-label trial utilizing clinical evaluation and erythema-directed digital photography.

BACKGROUND: Topical cosmetic agents may play a role in the management of facial seborrheic dermatitis by reducing inflammation and scale production. Advanced digital photography, equipped with technology able to provide a detailed evaluation of red skin components corresponding to vascular flare (erythema-directed digital photography), is a useful tool for evaluation of erythema in patients affected by inflammatory dermatoses. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of a new cosmetic topical gel containing piroctone olamine, lactoferrin, glycero-phospho-inositol, and Aloe vera for the treatment of facial seborrheic dermatitis by clinical and advanced digital photography evaluation. METHODS: An open-label, prospective, clinical trial was conducted on 25 patients with mild to moderate facial seborrheic dermatitis. Subjects were instructed to apply the gel twice daily for 45 days. The clinical efficacy was evaluated by measuring at baseline, at day 15 and 45 the degree of desquamation (by clinical examination) and erythema (by digital photography technology via VISIA-CR™ system equipped with RBX™), using a 5-point severity scale, and pruritus (by subject-completed Visual Analogue Scale; scale from 0 to 100 mm). Finally, at baseline and at the end of the study, IGA (Investigator Global Assessment) was performed using a 5-point severity scale (from 0 = worsening to 4 = excellent response). RESULTS: At the end of treatment, a significant reduction (P<0.001) of all considered parameters was observed. Moreover, an excellent response (>80% improvement) was recorded in 47.9% of patients, with no case of worsening. No signs of local intolerance were documented. CONCLUSIONS: The tested cosmetic topical gel was effective in treating mild to moderate seborrheic dermatitis of the face. Erythema-directed digital photography may represent a noteworthy tool for the therapeutic monitoring of facial seborrheic dermatitis and an important adjunct aid in the dermatologic clinical practice.

Mesotherapy with an Intradermal Hyaluronic Acid Formulation for Skin Rejuvenation: An Intrapatient, Placebo-Controlled, Long-Term Trial Using High-Frequency Ultrasound.

Mesotherapy with hyaluronic acid (HA) is a treatment approach currently used for skin rejuvenation. High-frequency ultrasound (20-100 MHz) is a non-invasive technique that has been used to evaluate age-related dermal changes. The presence and the degree of a typical subepidermal low-echogenic band (SLEB) are photoaging related: the lower the SLEB echogenicity, the higher the photoaging. The aim of this trial was to evaluate, through ultrasound imaging, the long-term effects of microinjections of HA on SLEB echogenicity. Twenty-two women with clinical and ultrasound signs of moderate photoaging were enrolled in the study. Treatment consisted of multiple microinjections of HA salts of biotechnological origin on the dorsum of one hand, once weekly for 4 weeks and, successively, once monthly for 4 months (group A) or 9 months (group B). The dorsum of the other hand of each subject was injected with saline solution and used as a control. In all subjects, high-frequency ultrasound (22 MHz) was performed to evaluate SLEB echogenicity changes during treatment. Eighteen out of 22 patients completed the study. At the end of 4 weeks, an ultrasound increase of dermal echogenicity was observed in 13 subjects (seven of group A and six of group B), which we considered as "responders". In these patients, the Student's t-test showed a significant increase from baseline of SLEB pixel numbers of +24 % (P < 0.01) versus +6 % with placebo. In the same subjects, after an additional 4 months of monthly injections, the mean increase was +18 % (P < 0.05) versus +4 % with placebo. In patients from group B that completed 10 months of treatment, the increase from baseline of SLEB pixel numbers was +18 % (P < 0.05) versus 0 % with placebo. Our study suggests that mesotherapy with HA may effectively improve skin aging and photoaging, as supported by quantifiable ultrasound data showing significant changes in SLEB density over time.

Mesotherapy for skin rejuvenation: assessment of the subepidermal low-echogenic band by ultrasound evaluation with cross-sectional B-mode scanning.

Skin-targeted ultrasound is a noninvasive technique that has been extensively used to evaluate age-related dermal changes, and the presence of a subepidermal low-echogenic band (SLEB) has been related to chronic UVR exposure in several studies. Since SLEB echogenicity is photoage-related, the aim of this study was to evaluate, through ultrasound imaging, the effects on skin photoaging of mesotherapy, a treatment approach currently used in cosmetic dermatology for skin rejuvenation. Twenty women (mean age: 46.7 range 40-60 years) with physical signs of moderate photoaging on the dorsum of the hands were enrolled and treated with multiple microinjections of hyaluronic acid (HA) salts of biotechnological origin (1.000 Kd) every week for 4 weeks. In all subjects, ultrasound evaluation was performed at each visit and 1 week after the last treatment to evaluate SLEB echogenicity changes during treatment. At the end of study, a statistically significant (p < 0.001) increase of SLEB echogenicity (with a mean increase of pixel numbers equal to 31.3%) was observed in 15 of 19 subjects who completed the study. Our preliminary study suggests that mesotherapy with HA may be an effective treatment for skin photoaging, as confirmed by ultrasound. Follow-up investigations on larger series of patients are necessary to further evaluate the safety, effectiveness, and duration of effect of this possible therapeutic approach to skin photoaging.