RESUMO
BACKGROUND: A cream made from mucus secreted by snails contains 80% mucin, as well as glycosaminoglycan, allantoin for skin rejuvenation, glycolic acid for keratin removal, and collagen and elastin, which are components of dermis. OBJECTIVE: The goal of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of using cream containing mucus secreted by snails to reduce wrinkles, improve skin elasticity, restore dermal density, and lift the skin. METHODS: Cream containing mucus secreted by snails was applied to the lateral epicanthal areas and the left cheek of 10 subjects for 4 weeks twice per day. Wrinkles, skin elasticity, dermal density, and skin tightening were evaluated at baseline and 2 and 4 weeks. A patient survey was conducted at 4 weeks. RESULTS: There were statistically significant differences between baseline and 4 weeks after applying the cream in terms of wrinkles, skin elasticity, dermal density, and skin tightening (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Use of cream containing mucus secreted by snails seems to be effective for anti-aging of the skin. Long term follow up studies, such as 3 or 6 months, to confirm the efficacy of the cream should be conducted involving a larger number of patients.
Assuntos
Humanos , Alantoína , Bochecha , Colágeno , Derme , Elasticidade , Elastina , Mucinas , Muco , Rejuvenescimento , Pele , CaramujosRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Severe alopecia areata (AA) is resistant to conventional treatment. Although systemic oral corticosteroids are an effective treatment for patients with severe AA, those drugs have many adverse effects. Corticosteroid pulse therapy has been introduced to increase therapeutic effects and reduce adverse effects. However, the treatment modality in severe AA is still controversial. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of corticosteroid pulse therapy in patients with severe AA compared with treatment with oral cyclosporine with corticosteroid. METHODS: A total of 82 patients with severe AA were treated with corticosteroid pulse therapy, and 60 patients were treated with oral cyclosporine with corticosteroid. Both groups were retrospectively evaluated for therapeutic efficacy according to AA type and disease duration. RESULTS: In 82 patients treated with corticosteroid pulse therapy, 53 (64.6%) were good responders (>50% hair regrowth). Patients with the plurifocal (PF) type of AA and those with a short disease duration (< or =3 months) showed better responses. In 60 patients treated with oral cyclosporine with corticosteroid, 30 (50.0%) patients showed a good response. The AA type or disease duration, however, did not significantly affect the response to treatment. CONCLUSION: Corticosteroid pulse therapy may be a better treatment option than combination therapy in severe AA patients with the PF type.
Assuntos
Humanos , Corticosteroides , Alopecia em Áreas , Alopecia , Ciclosporina , Cabelo , Estudos RetrospectivosRESUMO
Traumatic scars on skin covering areas of high movement, especially areas on the face, can be stressful for patients. We report two cases of traumatic scars that occurred on the chin, and that were successfully treated with a combined therapy of 595-nm pulsed dye laser (PDL) and intramuscular injection of botulinum toxin. After the treatment, good cosmetic results were achieved in both patients. The only adverse effect during and after the treatments was mild pain, which resolved within several days without any additional treatment. In conclusion, the combination of 595-nm PDL and intramuscular botulinum toxin injection was shown to be a safe and effective treatment for traumatic scars on the mobile chin area in Korean patients.
