Combination Topical Tranexamic Acid and Vitamin C for the Treatment of Refractory Melasma.

Background: Melasma is a widespread condition that affects people of many ethnicities and is prevalent in the Middle East. To date, the therapeutic arsenal is still not effective, especially in countries with high ultraviolet light index. New treatment options are needed. Objective: The aim of this pilot study was to assess the efficacy of topical tranexamic acid (TA) 2% combined with vitamin C 2% in the treatment of resistant melasma in the Mediterranean region. Methods: This prospective interventional pilot study included 10 women, aged 18 to 55 years, with resistant melasma. Intervention consisted in application of a topical formulation containing 2% TA and 2% vitamin C, every night for eight weeks. The primary outcome was the Melasma Area and Severity Index (MASI) score measured at baseline and at Weeks 4 and 8. Melasma Quality of Life Scale (MelasQoL) and Physician Global Assessment (PGA) were used at baseline and at Weeks 4 and 8 of treatment, and they were set as the secondary outcomes. Results: The mean MASI score varied from 12.76±3.91 at baseline to 7.00±4.85 at Week 4 (p<0.01) then to 3.39 ± 1 at Week 8 (p=0.03). The mean MelasQoL decreased from 35.2 ± 16.03 at baseline to 28.8 ± 12.96 at Week 4 (p<0.01) then to 24.9±13.96 at Week 8 (p=0.14). The PGA increased between Weeks 4 and 8 passing from 2.2±0.79 to 2.4±1.07. No major side effects were reported. Conclusion: Our pilot study demonstrated the possibility of a topical combination of TA 2% and vitamin C 2 %, which may be a useful therapeutic strategy in the treatment of resistant melasma in the Middle east, a region of the world with high UV index. This combination treatment is a safer alternative to dangerous bleaching treatments that are still being used.

Botulinum Toxins and Zinc: From Theory to Practice-A Systematic Review.

OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were to determine whether zinc supplementation affects botulinum toxin's effect and longevity and to establish a transition from the molecular to the clinical aspect. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review in which we included all published studies on PubMed and Embase using the combination of the following terms: "zinc" AND (botox OR botulinum OR onabotulinumtoxinA OR abobotulinumtoxinA OR incobotulinumtoxinA). RESULTS: From the 260 yielded articles, 3 randomized control trials and 1 case report were retained. Three of them found a significant improvement with zinc supplementation in the toxin's effect and longevity. This was observed in neurological conditions and cosmetic uses. CONCLUSIONS: Zinc supplementation could be an interesting asset in the potentialization of botulinum neurotoxin effect and longevity. Larger clinical trials and objective measurement tools should be used to further defining the role of zinc in maximizing botulinum neurotoxin effect.

Beneficial UVB phototherapy preceding a fractional CO2 laser-UVB protocol in refractory non-segmental vitiligo.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the short- and long-term effects of UVB phototherapy preceding a fractional CO2 laser-UVB protocol in patients with resistant nonsegmental vitiligo. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This single-center, prospective, split-face/body, evaluator-blinded study included adult patients with stable vitiligo refractory to conventional treatments. Two symmetrical lesions were selected. Phototherapy was delivered with one side covered, until minimal erythema. Within 3 days, 31-month-apart sessions of laser were performed on both sides. After each laser session, phototherapy was resumed three times weekly, with all lesions uncovered, until 8 weeks after the last laser session. At baseline, at the end of treatment, and 5 years later, a Mean Improvement Score by Physician (MISP) and a patient satisfaction 10-point visual analog score (VAS) were recorded. RESULTS: Ten patients (8 women and 2 men) were included; their mean age was 32.9 years; phototype III was predominant; the mean duration of vitiligo was 3 years. At the end of treatment and 5 years later, scores of lesions treated with UVB-CO2 -UVB (mean MISP 3.0 and 2.9, mean ΔVAS 4.5 and 3.9, respectively), were higher than those of lesions treated only with CO2 -UVB (mean MISP 2.5 and 2.4, mean ΔVAS 4.1 and 3.6, respectively). After 5 years, one patient lost his partial response and two patients developed light hyperpigmentation on both sides. CONCLUSION: Exposure to UVB before CO2 -UVB explains the higher scores as it was the only variable between the two sides. It may improve the response of resistant lesions with a constantly sustained result over 5 years.

The impact of acne treatment on quality of life and self-esteem: A prospective cohort study from Lebanon.

BACKGROUND: Acne is highly prevalent among teenagers and young adults, with proven negative psychological and emotional impact. To our knowledge, no study has been conducted to quantify the repercussions of acne on quality of life (QoL) and self-esteem in Lebanon. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to highlight the effect of acne treatment on QoL and self-esteem of Lebanese adolescents and young adults. METHODS: In this observational prospective study, patients between 15 and 40 years old with moderate-to-severe acne were allocated to one of two treatment groups (isotretinoin vs. systemic antibiotics combined with topical treatments) and followed for a period of 6 months. The effect of acne on QoL was measured using the Dermatology Life Quality Index, Cardiff Acne Disability Index, and Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale before treatment initiation (T1), after 3 months (T2), and after 6 months (T3). A multivariate analysis of covariance model was used. RESULTS: Sixty-two patients were included, of whom 79% were female and 61.3% had moderate acne. Fifty-five percent of patients were treated with systemic antibiotics combined with topical treatments, and 45% received isotretinoin. Mean scores of Cardiff Acne Disability Index, Dermatology Life Quality Index, and Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale at T1 were comparable between the two groups. A significant improvement was noticed in both groups at T2 and T3. The multivariate analysis of covariance model showed an interaction of time and age that concerned 25- to 40-year-old patients in both groups, who were the most negatively affected by acne at T1 and improved the most at T3. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated the equivalence between acne treatments in improving QoL and revealed the social obstacle that acne creates and its recrudescence in the subgroup of women of childbearing age.