ABSTRACT
Tattoo removal is considered a challenging field in cosmetic dermatology. Picosecond Q-switched Nd-YAG lasers targeting unique chromophores effectively manage this condition without serious complications. To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Picosecond Q-switched Nd-YAG laser in the treatment of black tattoos in the skin of middle eastern mostly skin type IV. The study was carried out on 20 patients with skin type IV the most common in middle eastern area with professional black tattoos. They were treated by Picosecond Nd-YAG laser (2 sessions 8 weeks apart). The percentage of improvement ranged from 20.0 to 95.0 (with a mean of 61 ± 24.6). 8 patients (40%) showed excellent improvement, 4 patients (20%) showed marked improvement, 4 patients (20%) showed moderate improvement, and 4 patients (20%) showed mild improvement. No severe side effects were detected. Picosecond Nd-YAG laser was an effective and safe technique in the treatment of professional black tattoos; with only 2 sessions most patients reached excellent to moderate response with minimal side effects.
Subject(s)
Lasers, Solid-State , Tattooing , Humans , Lasers, Solid-State/therapeutic use , Prospective Studies , Female , Adult , Male , Young Adult , Low-Level Light Therapy/methods , Treatment Outcome , Middle AgedABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Updates of treatment methods of stable vitiligo are needed to give better outcomes with a shorter duration of treatment. OBJECTIVE: To test the effect of transdermal 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) delivery using fractional CO2 (FrCO2 ) laser versus intralesional 5-FU injection, with narrow-band type ultraviolet B (UVB) (NB-UVB) therapy after both, in the treatment of stable vitiligo. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The present study comprised 40 patients with nearly symmetrical stable vitiligo lesions. The left side was treated with FrCO2 laser followed by topical 5-FU (FrCO2 + 5-FU), while the right side was treated with 5-FU intradermal injection. Both procedures were done at 2-week intervals for 3 sessions followed by 24 sessions of narrow-band UVB for both sides. RESULTS: Repigmentation was demonstrated on the left side of 90% of patients and the right side of 85% of patients. As much as >50% improvement was demonstrated on the left side of 50% of patients, and the right side of 55% of patients. Intralesional 5-FU showed a statistically significant difference in repigmentation compared to FrCO2 + 5-FU. CONCLUSION: Both 5-FU injection and FrCO2 + 5-FU were effective therapeutic modalities for vitiligo. Patients were more compliant with FrCO2 + 5-FU.
Subject(s)
Ultraviolet Therapy , Vitiligo , Carbon Dioxide/therapeutic use , Combined Modality Therapy , Fluorouracil , Humans , Injections, Intralesional , Prospective Studies , Treatment Outcome , Ultraviolet Therapy/adverse effects , Ultraviolet Therapy/methods , Vitiligo/drug therapyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is a common hair loss disorder. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the therapeutic effects of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in androgenetic alopecia. METHODS: This study was done on 126 AGA patients, 42 patients survived as control group who received medical treatment, only other 84 patients were subdivided into two groups, and they received PRP sessions as co-adjuvant therapy using different methods administration. Patients were evaluated clinically, by dermoscopy and by digital dermoscopy to measure hair density and diameters before and after treatment. RESULTS: PRP-treated patients showed statistically significant increase in hair density and diameter measurements than control group. These results increased by using microneedling as a method of PRP administration. CONCLUSION: In AGA, the addition of "PRP with microneedling" to the combined medical treatment increases its efficacy and shortens the time needed for optimum improvement. STUDY DESIGN: Single-blinded randomized controlled study.
Subject(s)
Alopecia , Platelet-Rich Plasma , Alopecia/drug therapy , Combined Modality Therapy , Hair , Humans , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: NB-UVB phototherapy is still an effective treatment in vitiligo but requires more than 1 year for its completion. Topical 5-flurouracil could improve the proliferation and migration of melanocytes. Laser-assisted dermabrasion results in stimulation of the inactive melanocytes present at the outer root sheath of the lower portion of the hair follicle, which migrates upward until they reach the surface of the skin. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of Er:YAG laser skin ablation followed by topical 5-flurouracil on the outcome of NB-UVB phototherapy as a short term technique in resistant and stable vitiligo. METHODS: The current study included 40 patients suffering from bilateral stable vitiligo resistant to NB-UVB. For each patient, one side of the body subjected to 4 months NB-UVB sessions (control side). While the other side of the body subjected to one session of Er:YAG laser ablation combined with topical 5% 5-flurouracil application under occlusion followed by NB-UVB sessions for 4 months after complete re-epithelization. Outcomes were evaluated objectively based on standard digital photographs, histopathological examination, patient satisfaction, and adverse effects. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant improvement in the repigmentation in laser side compared with control side. Histopathological examination revealed expression of prominent melanin pigmentation, with marked expression for Melan-A in laser side, whereas these findings were negative in control side. CONCLUSION: Er:YAG laser ablation, followed by 5FU application before NB-UVB phototherapy for vitiligo, is a safe and tolerable technique that improves the outcome of short-term NB-UVB therapy and is expected to increase patient compliance.