Estudo monocêntrico, prospectivo para avaliar a eficácia e a tolerabilidade de formulação cosmecêutica em pacientes com melasma / Monocentric prospective study for assessing the efficacy and tolerability of a cosmeceutical formulation in patients with melasma

Introdução: O melasma é doença pigmentar frequente que acomete áreas expostas, principalmente nas regiões frontal e malar. A hidroquinona se mostra ativo eficaz no tratamento da hiperpigmentação; no entanto, devido a problemas com sua tolerabilidade, diversos estudos são conduzidos para desenvolver alternativas terapêuticas com eficácia equivalente. Objetivo: Avaliar a eficácia e tolerabilidade de formulação cosmecêutica contendo ácido elágico, ácido hidroxifenoxi propiônico, extrato de levedura e ácido salicílico em pacientes brasileiros apresentando melasma leve a moderado. Métodos: 40 pacientes portadores de melasma leve a moderado na face utilizaram o cosmecêutico duas vezes ao dia, associado a filtro solar durante 90 dias. Foram feitas avaliações subjetivas de eficácia e tolerabilidade, medida do grau Masi e questionário MelasQoL-BP. A avaliação da luminosidade da pele e das características colorimétricas foram obtidas por meio de colorimetria. Resultados: Após 90 dias de tratamento, observou-se melhora significativa nos parâmetros clínicos avaliados, nos parâmetros colorimétricos, no questionário de qualidade de vida e no escore Masi em 43%. O tratamento se mostrou eficaz sem causar eventos adversos. Conclusões: A formulação cosmecêutica avaliada demonstrou ser alternativa eficaz à hidroquinona para o tratamento do melasma com excelente perfil de tolerabilidade cutânea.

Introduction: Melasma is a common pigmentary condition that affects exposed body areas, especially in the frontal and malar regions. Hydroquinone is an effective active principle in the treatment of hyperpigmentation, however, due to issues linked to its tolerability, many studies are being conducted aimed at developing alternative therapies with equivalent effectiveness. Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of a cosmeceutical formulation containing ellagic acid, hydroxyphenoxy propionic acid, yeast extract and salicylic acid in Brazilian patients with mild to moderate melasma. Methods: Forty patients with mild to moderate melasma on the face used the cosmeceutical twice daily, combined with sunscreen for 90 days. Subjective assessments of efficacy and tolerability were carried out. Measurements of the MASI grade and the application of the MELASQoL-BP questionnaire were also performed. The evaluation of the skin's brightness and the colorimetric characteristics were obtained by colorimetry. Results: After 90 days of treatment, a significant improvement could be observed in the clinical and colorimetric parameters evaluated, and in the quality of life questionnaire. In addition, the MASI score improved by 43%. The treatment was effective without causing adverse events. Conclusions: The evaluated cosmeceutical formulation was proven as an effective alternative to hydroquinone for the treatment of melasma, with excellent cutaneous tolerability profile.

Brazilian Consensus on Photoprotection

Brazil is a country of continental dimensions with a large heterogeneity of climates and massive mixing of the population. Almost the entire national territory is located between the Equator and the Tropic of Capricorn, and the Earth axial tilt to the south certainly makes Brazil one of the countries of the world with greater extent of land in proximity to the sun. The Brazilian coastline, where most of its population lives, is more than 8,500 km long. Due to geographic characteristics and cultural trends, Brazilians are among the peoples with the highest annual exposure to the sun. Epidemiological data show a continuing increase in the incidence of non-melanoma and melanoma skin cancers. Photoprotection can be understood as a set of measures aimed at reducing sun exposure and at preventing the development of acute and chronic actinic damage. Due to the peculiarities of Brazilian territory and culture, it would not be advisable to replicate the concepts of photoprotection from other developed countries, places with completely different climates and populations. Thus the Brazilian Society of Dermatology has developed the Brazilian Consensus on Photoprotection, the first official document on photoprotection developed in Brazil for Brazilians, with recommendations on matters involving photoprotection.

Comedo-like openings in melanoma.

We describe a case of melanoma with the presence of comedo-like openings at dermoscopy. These structures, typical of seborrheic keratosis, represent an uncommon finding in melanoma. We emphasize the importance of searching for specific dermoscopic criteria for melanocytic lesions during the examination of a pigmented lesion, despite possible observations of characteristic structures of non-melanocytic lesions, in order to increase the accuracy in the diagnosis of melanoma.

Comedo-like openings in melanoma

We describe a case of melanoma with the presence of comedo-like openings at dermoscopy. These structures, typical of seborrheic keratosis, represent an uncommon finding in melanoma. We emphasize the importance of searching for specific dermoscopic criteria for melanocytic lesions during the examination of a pigmented lesion, despite possible observations of characteristic structures of non-melanocytic lesions, in order to increase the accuracy in the diagnosis of melanoma.

Brazilian consensus on photoprotection.

Brazil is a country of continental dimensions with a large heterogeneity of climates and massive mixing of the population. Almost the entire national territory is located between the Equator and the Tropic of Capricorn, and the Earth axial tilt to the south certainly makes Brazil one of the countries of the world with greater extent of land in proximity to the sun. The Brazilian coastline, where most of its population lives, is more than 8,500 km long. Due to geographic characteristics and cultural trends, Brazilians are among the peoples with the highest annual exposure to the sun. Epidemiological data show a continuing increase in the incidence of non-melanoma and melanoma skin cancers. Photoprotection can be understood as a set of measures aimed at reducing sun exposure and at preventing the development of acute and chronic actinic damage. Due to the peculiarities of Brazilian territory and culture, it would not be advisable to replicate the concepts of photoprotection from other developed countries, places with completely different climates and populations. Thus the Brazilian Society of Dermatology has developed the Brazilian Consensus on Photoprotection, the first official document on photoprotection developed in Brazil for Brazilians, with recommendations on matters involving photoprotection.

A man with erythematous nodules: what is the diagnosis? Lepromatous leprosy.

A 65-year-old man presented with an approximately 5-year history of cutaneous nodules of the arms and legs. In addition, physical examination revealed bilateral thickening of ulnar and tibial nerves, distal weakness with hallux extension and finger abduction, and distal hypoesthesia of the left hallux. Histopathological analysis of the skin biopsy specimen showed a dense inflammatory infiltrate in the hypodermis, characterized by vacuolated macrophages containing multiple organisms. The Fite stain was positive confirming the diagnosis of multibacillary leprosy.