Treatment of Décolletage Photoaging With Fractional Microneedling Radiofrequency.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to examine the efficacy and safety of a novel fractional microneedling radiofrequency device to improve the appearance of rhytides and skin laxity of the décolletage. METHODS: Twelve subjects received a total of three fractional microneedling radiofrequency treatments with Endymed Intensif (EndyMed Ltd., Cesarea, Israel) at least three weeks apart. Primary outcome measure was clinical efficacy quantified by a patient survey to assess treatment satisfaction as well as a physician Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (GAIS). Photos were taken before every treatment and at a follow-up appointment. RESULTS: Assessments by two board-certified dermatologists revealed an overall improvement in 67% of patients. Seventy percent of subjects rated their post-treatment skin laxity and rhytides as improved, while 60% of patients rated their skin texture as improved. Eighty percent of subjects were at least slightly satisfied with their treatment. Forty percent of subjects would recommend this treatment to others. CONCLUSIONS: Subjects in this study demonstrated an overall improvement in décolletage appearance in regard to skin tightening, wrinkles, and skin texture suggested by overall patient satisfaction (80%) and physician-rated GAIS improvement (67%). This study suggests that fractional microneedling radiofrequency devices are a safe and efficacious way to improve overall décolletage appearance with little down time.

J Drugs Dermatol. 2018;17(1):74-76.

Pemphigoid Gestationis: A Case Report and Review of Management.

BACKGROUND: Pemphigoid gestationis (PG) is a rare pruritic autoimmune dermatosis associated with several adverse fetal outcomes. An appropriate pharmacotherapy regimen reduces these risks while also providing symptomatic relief. CASE: A woman in her second trimester presented with an intensely pruritic vesiculobullous rash diagnosed as PG. She was started on prednisone and gradually tapered to an appropriate maintenance dose until her uncomplicated delivery of a full-term healthy newborn. CONCLUSION: Proper management of PG requires a suitable pharmacotherapy regimen, close observation, and collaboration with a multi-disciplinary treatment team. These steps are crucial to reduce maternal morbidity, lessen fetal risk, and adequately prepare for the possibility of unfavorable obstetric outcomes.

Novel nonablative radio-frequency rejuvenation device applied to the neck and jowls: clinical evaluation and 3-dimensional image analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To use 3D photography to evaluate the clinical efficacy of a novel radiofrequency delivery device used to improve the appearance of rhytids and laxity of the face and neck. STUDY DESIGN: Forty-nine subjects received a total of two radio-frequency treatments to the face and neck one-month apart. The novel radio-frequency delivery device was used to heat the dermis between 41-43°C for five heat cycles. Primary outcome measures were clinical efficacy quantified by the Global Assessment Improvement Scale (GAIS) and a patient survey that assessed treatment satisfaction. RESULTS: Assessments of 3D photographs revealed an overall improvement in 74% of study subjects. 85% of patients noted an overall improvement in the appearance of their skin. 81% of patients rated their post-treatment skin laxity as improved, 85% rated their skin smoothness as improved and 62% rated their skin brightness as improved. CONCLUSION: Subjects in this study demonstrated an overall improvement in face and neck appearance with regard to skin tightening, wrinkles, and skin texture suggested by overall patient satisfaction (85%) and physician-rated GAIS improvement (74%). This study suggests that radiofrequency applied with a continuous thermal treatment device is a safe and efficacious way to improve the overall appearance of aging facial skin.

Evaluation of clinical results, histological architecture, and collagen expression following treatment of mature burn scars with a fractional carbon dioxide laser.

OBJECTIVE: To assess mature burn scars treated with a fractional carbon dioxide laser for changes in histological architecture, type I to III collagen ratios, density of elastic tissue, and subjective measures of clinical improvements. DESIGN: Uncontrolled, prospective study of patients with mature burn scars, from a clinical and histological perspective. Biopsy specimens were obtained before and 2 months after 3 treatment sessions. The tissue was prepared with Verhoff von Giesen (VVG) stain to discern elastic tissue and Herovici stain to differentiate types I and III collagen. SETTING: Subjects were recruited from the Grossman Burn Centers. PARTICIPANTS: Of 18 patients with mature burn scars, 10 completed the entire treatment protocol. INTERVENTION: Participants received 3 treatments with a fractional carbon dioxide laser. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Vancouver Scar Scale and Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale survey scores. In histological analysis, imaging software was used to measure changes in collagen subtype and elastic tissue. A rating scale was developed to assess normal vs scar architecture. RESULTS: The first hypothesis that significant histological improvement would occur and the second hypothesis of a statistically significant increase in type III collagen expression or a decrease in type I collagen expression were confirmed. There were no significant changes in elastic tissue. Statistically significant improvements were seen in all survey data. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with a fractional carbon dioxide laser improved the appearance of mature burn scars and resulted in a significant improvement in collagen architecture following treatment. Furthermore, in treated skin specimens, a collagen subtype (types I and III collagen) profile resembling that of nonwounded skin was found.

Evaluation of procollagen I deposition after intense pulsed light treatments at varying parameters in a porcine model.

Several lasers and light sources have been reported to induce dermal collagen remodeling without damaging the epidermis. The intense pulsed light (IPL) system, which emits polychromatic light of wavelengths between 560 and 1200 nm belongs to this group of increasingly popular non-ablative skin rejuvenation devices. Various IPL treatment parameters can be adjusted to achieve optimal dermal remodeling and clinical improvement. The aim of this study was to evaluate variations in IPL treatment parameters and the effect on procollagen I deposition. Marked areas of a live Yorkshire pig's flank skin were irradiated with a single or double pass of an IPL source using a fluence of 30 or 40 J/cm2 and a cut-off wavelength filter of 590 nm. Skin biopsies were performed on postoperative days 1, 7, 14, 21, and 42. A statistically significant increase in procollagen I in treated versus untreated sites was found on postoperative days 21 and 42, but not earlier. There was a uniformly significant increase in procollagen I on day 42 using the 590 nm filter at both 30 and 40 J/cm2 with either a single or double pass. The increase in procollagen was greater with a fluence of 40 J/cm2 compared with 30 J/cm2.

The expression of p63 in actinic keratoses, seborrheic keratosis, and cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas.

BACKGROUND: p63 is a tumor suppressor that likely plays a role in the development of squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) and possibly premalignant and benign skin tumors. Little data is available on its expression in these tumors. OBJECTIVE: To study the keratinocyte expression profile of p63 in 17 SCCs, 7 actinic keratoses, 2 Bowens tumors, and 7 seborrheic keratoses. METHODS: Skin tumors specimens were stained with an antibody to p63. Quantitative and qualitative data was collected on the staining. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant increase in p63 staining of SCCs when compared with normal. Seborrheic keratoses and actinic keratoses showed a trend towards increased expression in the basal layer compared with normal skin. The pattern of expression showed diffuse staining in SCCs. In actinic keratoses and seborrheic keratoses the pattern was most prominent in the basal layer. CONCLUSIONS: p63 expression is greater and different in SCCs when compared with normal skin, actinic keratoses, and seborrheic keratoses. Interestingly seborrheic keratoses and Bowens lesions showed expression that was mostly restricted to the basal layer, however significant diffuse staining was also noted. Our results support the notion that p63 plays a role in cell differentiation and tumorigenesis of skin tumors.