The Beneficial Effect on Pigmentation Using Laser Epilation as an Initial Treatment Approach for Becker's Nevus in Asian Skin.

Becker's nevus (BN) clinically presents as brown patches with hypertrichosis. The risk of pigmentary changes still remains a concern when using lasers to treat Asian patients with BN. We aimed to evaluate the outcomes on reduction of hairs and pigment of BN using the long-pulsed 1064-nm Nd:YAG (LPNY) and/or 755-nm alexandrite (LP-Alex), before treating pigment in earnest. A total of 13 subjects were treated with the LPNY (n = 8), the LP-Alex (n = 4), and both (n = 1). Improvements on hair removal and pigment reduction were assessed using a 5-point global assessment scale. Patient satisfaction was also assessed. Treatment parameters were within those commonly used for the purpose of epilation. The average follow-up period was 19.5 ± 12.3 weeks, and the mean total number of sessions was 2.0. Eleven subjects reported >50% improvement in hair removal (11/13, 86.7%), and pigment reduction of >50% improvement was observed in 9 subjects (9/13, 69.2%). Patient satisfaction showed >50% lesion clearance in 84.6%. Hair removal settings of LPNY and LP-Alex were effective in both hypertrichosis and pigment reduction in the initial strategy of treatment of BN in skin of color.

An Excimer Laser-Induced Eruptive Sebaceous Hyperplasia.

Sebaceous hyperplasia (SH) is a benign proliferation of the sebaceous glands. Ultraviolet radiation is known to be the cofactor for the pathogenesis of SH. Frequently reported adverse events of 308-nm excimer laser are erythema, burning or pain, and itching sensation. However, the role of excimer laser as an aetiological factor of SH is rarely reported in the literature. A 59-year-old female presented with several elevated, umbilicated papules on the face. Papular eruption appeared abruptly after 11 weeks of treatment for vitiligo which includes 308-nm excimer laser therapy. The distribution of lesion was associated with the treated area. Total cumulative dose was 3,300 mJ/cm² over 16 sessions. Histopathologic findings showed enlarged sebaceous glands composed of numerous lobules around a centrally located, widened sebaceous duct. Chronic sun exposure clinically causes SH was proved in the previous animal studies. Thus, we introduce a rare case of eruptive SH in the patient treated with 308-nm excimer laser.

Clinical Evaluation of Conditioned Media of Human Umbilical Cord Blood Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Improvement of Symptoms of Sensitive Skin: Prospective, Single Blinded, Split-face Study.

BACKGROUND: The exact definition of sensitive skin is not established yet. Since its high prevalence and significant influence on quality of life, it has become an important topic of research. Among various ingredients, conditioned media from umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells (UCB-MSC-CM) can be a promising source for the treatment of sensitive skin. OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the efficacy and safety of UCB-MSC-CM on patients with sensitive skin. METHODS: We designed a randomized, single blinded, prospective, split-face comparison study and enrolled thirty patients. All patients underwent nonablative fractional laser over the entire face before UCB-MSC-CM or normal saline was applied. Each facial area was randomly assigned to undergo treatment with either UCB-MSC-CM or normal saline. We performed three sessions at two-week intervals, and final results were assessed on six weeks after the last session. As an outcome measure, we evaluated a five-point global assessment scale, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), erythema index (EI) and Sensitive Scale-10. Twenty seven subjects were included in final analysis. RESULTS: The treated side exhibited greater improvement compared to the untreated side based on a five-point global assessment scale. TEWL, EI of the treated side were significantly lower than those of the untreated side throughout study period. Sensitive Scale-10 was significantly improved after treatment. CONCLUSION: The application of UCB-MSC-CM resulted in improved skin barrier function and reduced inflammatory responsiveness, which could provide beneficial effect on sensitive skin.

Pathologically Confirmed Subcutaneous Fat and Lymphovascular Invasion of a Hypopigmented Area in Extramammary Paget Disease.

Extramammary Paget disease (EMPD) is a rare adenocarcinoma that usually occurs in areas of the body that are rich in apocrine sweat glands. Great depth of tumor invasion is a well-known risk factor for worse prognosis. Paget cells usually are limited to the epidermis, whereas invasive EMPD, which infiltrates the dermis, is relatively rare. It is even rarer for the tumor to spread beyond the dermis. Only 3.1% of patients with EMPD of the penis and scrotum have exhibited infiltration of the subcutaneous fat layer. We report a case of a 62-year-old male with EMPD that invaded the subcutaneous fat layer. He presented with a several-year history of a slowly expanding erythematous plaque with the hypopigmented area on the left penoscrotum. One month before presentation, the patient had undergone punch biopsy at another hospital and diagnosed with EMPD. He had no personal history of urogenital cancers. The patient was treated with Mohs micrographic surgery, and negative margins were achieved after four stages. The histopathologic findings revealed Paget cells scattered throughout the epidermis. At the hypopigmented area, Paget cells extended to the subcutaneous fat layer with lymphovascular invasion. There was no evidence of recurrence at seven months postoperatively. Herein, we describe a case of hypopigmented EMPD that infiltrated the subcutaneous layer, which rarely has been reported in Korea.

A Split-Face, Single-Blinded, Randomized Controlled Comparison of 532 nm Picosecond Neodymium-Doped Yttrium Aluminum Garnet Laser versus 532 nm Q-Switched Neodymium-Doped Yttrium Aluminum Garnet Laser in the Treatment of Solar Lentigines.

BACKGROUND: Solar lentigines are the most common form of benign epidermal pigmentation and one of the major cosmetic concerns in Korea. A 532 nm Q-switched neodymium: yttrium-aluminum-garnet (QSND) laser is typically used for the treatment, but the occurrence of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) is not rare. Recently, the use of picosecond (PS) lasers has emerged in pursuit of better outcomes. OBJECTIVE: To objectively compare the efficacy and safety of 532 nm PS and QSND lasers for the treatment of solar lentigines. METHODS: Twenty patients with solar lentigines were enrolled in a prospective, randomized split-face, single-blind study. One side of each face was treated using a 532 nm PS laser, and the other side using a 532 nm QSND laser. After one treatment, all patients were followed up for evaluation after 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks. The clinical clearance was assessed by three blinded dermatologists using a 5-point quartile improvement scale (QIS). Subjective satisfaction, development of PIH, pain scale during treatment, and adverse problems were also recorded. RESULTS: Clinical clearance measured by QIS showed that the PS laser was more effective than the QSND laser. Subjective satisfaction and pain scale did not significantly differ between the two groups. The incidence of PIH was 5% in sides treated with the PS laser, and 30% with the QSND laser. CONCLUSION: Both 532 nm PS laser and QSND laser were effective for the treatment of solar lentigines, but the PS laser was more effective with less PIH development.