The Role of Er-yag Glass Laser in Skin Resurfacing.

Following our survey, we can appreciate that a variety of laser platforms exist to rejuvenate the skin by resurfacing the outer layer of the skin as well as heating the lower layers of the dermis. Based on reliable clinical effectiveness and a limited side effect profile, we can confirm that nonablative fractionated technologies greatly improve the appearance of lentigines, rhytids; eliminate sun damage, attenuate scarring due to acne and other causes; and treat hyperpigmentation. The Fraxel (Solta Medical) laser system delivers pulses across a wide range of density and energy levels. We determined that when increasing the pulse energy this led to an increase in thermolysis microzone depth and width without damaging the surrounding tissue. Due to its performance and various clinical applications, Fraxel laser can be optimally considered to be the gold standard for skin rejuvenation.

Co-Creation of Massive Open Online Courses to Improve Digital Health Literacy in Pregnant and Lactating Women.

BACKGROUND: Digital health literacy (DHL) increases the self-efficacy and empowerment of pregnant and lactating women (PLW) in using the Internet for health issues. The European project IC-Health aimed to improve DHL among PLW, through the co-creation of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs). METHODS: The co-creation of the MOOCs included focus groups and the creation of communities of practice (CoPs) with PLW and healthcare professionals aimed to co-design the MOOCs. The quantitative measures of MOOCs' acceptability, experience in the co-creation process and increase in DHL (dimensions of finding, understanding and appraisal) were assessed. RESULTS: 17 PLW participated in focus groups, 113 participants were included in CoPs and 68 participants evaluated the acceptability of MOOCs. A total of 6 MOOCs aimed at improving PLW's DHL were co-designed. There was a significant improvement in self-perceived DHL after using MOOCs (p-value < 0.001). The acceptability of MOOCs and co-creation experience were positively valued. CONCLUSIONS: The preliminary results of the quantitative assessment showed a higher self-perceived DHL after the IC-Health MOOCs. These results suggest that IC-Health MOOCs and the co-creation methodology appear to be a viable process to carry out an intervention aimed to improve DHL levels in European PLW.

Allergic contact dermatitis from transdermal estradiol and systemic contact dermatitis from oral estradiol. A case report.

BACKGROUND: About 20% of patients using transdermal estradiol complain of adverse local side effects. CASE: A 47-year-old, postmenopausal woman developed eczematous lesions at the sites of application of a estradiol therapeutic transdermal system and successively at the sites of application of a gel containing estradiol. Due to the topical intolerance, the therapy was switched to oral estrogen, which caused a systemic pruritic rash. Positive patch tests with estradiol led to the diagnosis of type IV allergic dermatitis due to transdermal estradiol and to a gel containing estradiol. Systemic contact dermatitis due to oral estradiol was also diagnosed. CONCLUSION: Even though allergic contact dermatitis from estradiol is extremely rare, local side effects from estradiol systems must be kept in mind and correctly diagnosed. Patch tests allow identification of the causative agent. In the case of primary sensitization to topical estradiol, oral estrogens must be prescribed cautiously to avoid systemic reactions.