Clinical and Dermatoscopic Features of Seborrheic Keratoses According to Skin Types: A Retrospective Study.

INTRODUCTION: Seborrheic keratoses (SK), are very common benign skin lesions, which may increase in number and size with age. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to assess any differences seen in seborrheic keratoses in relation to different skin types (ST) and lesion location. METHODS: This was a retrospective observational study of 10-months period, based on dermoscopic images of seborrheic keratoses and patient history recorded in database. Patients were categorized according to their age, sex, skin type, and location of SK. RESULTS: The frequency of SK remained high on the back for skin type 1, 2, 3 and 4. This same trend was also seen on the face and chest. In skin type 3 we saw a reversal of distribution of SK, the highest frequency remained on the back, and this was followed by the chest rather than the face. In skin type 5 and 6, the nature of the distribution of SK was more facial, CONCLUSIONS: In summary our study shows that SK are more commonly seen in males than in females, they tend to dominate in sun exposed sites especially the back and the face. Both the smaller and larger sized SK dominated in ST 1 and 2. The lighter to darker shades of color seen in seborrheic keratoses varied in accordance with the skin type, with lighter colored SK being seen more in lighter skin types as compared to darker skin types, whereas bluish colored SK were seen in all skin types except ST 1.

Assessment of the Combined Efficacy of Needling and the Use of Silicone Gel in the Treatment of C-Section and Other Surgical Hypertrophic Scars and Keloids.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the individual effectiveness of needling therapy using the Dermapen (Dermapen, Salt Lake City, Utah) and topical therapy with silicone gel (Kelo-cote, Sinclair Pharma, London, England), and their combined effectiveness for the treatment of linear surgical scars, hypertrophic scars, and keloids. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty patients were randomly selected and equally divided into 2 groups (A and B), with each group of 10 including 6 patients with keloids and 4 with hypertrophic scars. Treatment assignments were random. In group A, the entire scar was treated by skin needling, with silicone gel applied to half of the scar. Patients in group B were treated with silicone gel on the whole scar, with only half of the scar also treated with skin needling. During follow-up visits, clinical photographs, evaluation of the scars' thickness, skin ultrasound, and modified Vancouver Scar Scale were performed. RESULTS: Group A showed an average improvement of 68% (P < .01) on the half of the scar with the combination treatment (skin needling plus silicone gel) compared with a 52% improvement on the half of the scar that was treated with only skin needling. Group B showed an average improvement of 63% (P < .01) where the combination treatment was performed, compared with 47% improvement on the area treated with only the silicone gel. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, the combination of these 2 treatments is safe and effective for the treatment of hypertrophic scars and keloids. These modalities achieved favorable results with each patient adhering to the study paramenters.

An assessment of the efficacy of blue light phototherapy in the treatment of acne vulgaris.

BACKGROUND: Acne vulgaris is a common skin condition that affects 8 out of 10 people. It varies from mild to severe, and different treatments target various aspects of the disease. Propionibacterium acnes, one of the culprits involved in the pathogenesis of acne vulgaris, is the main target of all major medical treatments used. Studies conducted in recent years have shown favorable effects within the visible light spectrum for the treatment of acne vulgaris. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we have evaluated the use of intense blue light within the spectral range of 415-425 nm (peak 420 nm) in the treatment of acne vulgaris. METHODS: Twenty-one patients with mild to moderate facial acne were treated with blue light phototherapy. All patients were given 14-min treatment sessions twice a week for 4 weeks. Acne severity was assessed using the Leeds Technique for grading and lesion counts. Disability was assessed using the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI). In addition, standard digital and cross-polarized light photographs were taken and graded by a blinded evaluator. Visual analog scale (VAS) scores and cultures for P. acnes were carried out before starting the treatment and upon completion of the treatment. RESULTS: Significant improvement was achieved in the Leeds Acne Grade (P = 0.001). The inflammatory (P = 0.001) and noninflammatory (P = 0.06) lesion counts also improved significantly. A similar change was noted in the DLQI (P = 0.001); a degree of significance was also achieved in the patients' and the investigators' VAS scores (P = 0.01 and P = 0.001, respectively). P. acnes colony counts failed to show a significant decrease at the end of the treatment and remained almost constant (P = 0.660). CONCLUSIONS: We believe that blue light does appear to have some role in the management of acne and may be beneficial for the treatment of a select group of mild to moderate acne patients.