Influence of facial threading on various physiological parameters of the skin: non-randomized trial involving adult women in Taiwan

Abstract: Background: Facial threading involves the removal of hairs to restore facial skin smoothness. However, its effectiveness has not been rigorously evaluated. Objective: To evaluate effects of facial threading on skin roughness, hydration, melanin index, and vellus hair on the face, complemented by a subjective evaluation of the tactile feel of the skin and improvement in skin color. Method: Participants who had not used exfoliators for two weeks before the experiment were included. Each participant underwent one session of facial threading every 21 days, for a total of 3 sessions. A three-dimensional skin roughness instrument and a multifunctional skin testing system were used to evaluate changes in roughness, hydration, and pigmentation on the forehead, cheeks, and corners of the mouth. A photomicrographic camera was used to record changes in vellus hair. Subjective reports of skin smoothness and color were recorded. Result: Eighteen participants completed the study. Facial threading produced a significant decrease in skin roughness on the forehead (22.42%, p = .013), right cheek (77%, p = .02), and left corner of the mouth (33.02%, p = .001). Subjective improvement in tactile feel of the skin and coloring were reported. Study Limitations: The study did not include randomization, with further limitations of a small sample size and a single site. Conclusion: Facial threading reduced skin roughness by 26.74% after three threading sessions, with improved subjective assessment of tactile feel and coloring. Future research should include a comparison with other cosmetic products with similar beautifying effects or a control group.

A península na ritidoplastia / The peninsula in rhytidoplasty

Introdução: A ascensão do pé do cabelo é um estigma frequente e desagradável nas ritidoplastias. Para contornar esse problema, criamos a técnica da Península em meados de 1999. Inicialmente utilizada nas faces secundárias, sua indicação foi ampliada, tornando-se imprescindível nos casos primários de implantação alta do cabelo e naqueles pacientes que necessitariam de grande ressecção de pele. Métodos: O total de ritidoplastias realizadas foi de 7356, tendo sido operados 2512 pacientes utilizando a técnica da Península, no período que cursa entre 1999 e 2016, com idade média de 48 anos, sendo 98% dos pacientes do sexo feminino e 2% do sexo masculino. A técnica apresenta três variantes. Resultados: Os pacientes continuaram, posteriormente, em acompanhamento mensal até a alta ao final de 6 meses. Dentre os resultados, surgiram algumas complicações, comuns a qualquer tipo de cirurgia da face. Na grande maioria dos casos, com a utilização da Península, foi possível a realização de uma boa tração cutânea, com maior correção do terço médio, mantendo a linha de implantação capilar. Conclusão: Podemos concluir que a técnica da Península é um recurso único, de fácil reprodução, capaz de reduzir a curva de aprendizado em ritidoplastias, uma vez que permite generosa ressecção de pele sem alteração da implantação capilar, atuando de modo a evitar estigmas pós-cirúrgicos e otimizando a qualidade dos resultados e satisfação por parte dos pacientes, com pequeno ônus cicatricial.

Introduction: High implantation of the hairline by the ear is a frequent, unpleasant stigma in rhytidoplasties. To overcome this problem, we created the Peninsula technique in the mid-1999. Initially used in secondary face liftings, its indication has since been broadened, becoming indispensable in primary cases of high hair implantation and in patients requiring major skin resection. Methods: The total number of rhytidoplasties performed was 7,356, with 2,512 patients operated using the Peninsula technique from 1999 to 2016. Mean age was 48, 98% were females and 2% males. The technique presents three variants. Results: Patients were monitored on a monthly basis until discharge at the end of six months. Among the results, there were some complications, which are usual in any type of facial surgery. In the great majority of cases, with the use of the Peninsula, it was possible to obtain good skin traction, with the greater correction of the mid third, maintaining the capillary implantation line. Conclusion: We can conclude that the Peninsula technique is a unique resource, easily reproducible, capable of reducing the learning curve in rhytidoplasty, as it allows generous skin resection without changing capillary implantation, avoiding post-surgical stigma and optimizing the quality of the results and patient satisfaction, with a little scar burden.

Infection control to avoid surgical site infection

Infection control is a discipline that applies epidemiologic and scientific principles and statistical analysis to prevent or reduce rates of nosocomial infections. Effective infection control programs proved to reduce the rates of nosocomial infections and to be cost-effective. It is a key component of the broader discipline of hospital epidemiology. As an example, the anesthesia team acts every day in a highly complex and high risk environment for the transmission of pathogenic organisms and induction of infectious complication. In order to achieve the main goal of preventing or reducing the risk of hospital-acquired infections, a hospital epidemiology program should have the following oversight functions and responsibilities: Surveillance, either hospital-wide or targeted Education about prevention of infections. Outbreak investigations cleaning, disinfection and sterilization of equipments and disposal of infectious waste hospital employee health, specifically after exposure to either blood-borne or respiratory pathogens, Review of antibiotic utilization and its relationship to local antibiotic resistance patterns, Prevention of infections due to percutaneous intravascular devices. Development of infection control policies and procedures oversight on the use of new products that directly or indirectly relate to the risk of nosocomial infections

Nuestra experiencia en luz pulsada intensa / Our experience in IPL

Objetivos: Evaluar eficacia y efectos adversos de luz pulsada intensa en fotoenvejecimiento, alteraciones vasculares y depilación. Diseño: Estudio observacional, prospectivo, longitudinal, descriptivo. Métodos: se analizaron 158 pacientes. Se confeccionó una ficha para cada paciente que consignaba datos de : sexo, edad fototipo, etnia, número de sesiones, datos específicos de equipo, efectos adversos y respuesta terapéutica. La respuesta terapéutica estaba subdividida a su vez en mala, buena y muy buena. Se realizaron fotografías digitales pre y postratamiento. Resultados: La respuesta terapéutica a nivel de fotodaño fue catalogada como buena en un 43% y muy buena en el 55%. Las reacciones adversas referidas fundamentalmente fueron dolor y ardor. Respecto a lesiones vasculares, la respuesta fue consignada como buena en un 50% y muy buena en el 42,3%. La principal reacción adversa relatada fue dolor. Se realizaron procedimientos de fotodepilación en 29 pacientes; la principal región anatómica involucrada fue el tercio inferior de rostro. De los pacientes sometidos a este procedimiento, 86% de ellos presentaron resultados muy buenos. La tolerancia al procedimiento fue buena en más de 70%, el número de sesiones variaron en un rango de 1 a 3. Conclusión: La LPI es una modalidad, segura y efectiva para fotoenvejecimiento, lesiones vasculares y tofodepilación, con escasos efectos adversos.

Eletrólise com radiofrequência no tratamento da triquíase / Treatment of trichiasis with high-frequency radio wave electrosurgery

OBJETIVOS: Triquíase é uma condição adquirida dos cílios, que perdem o direcionamento normal e tocam a superfície ocular. O tratamento da triquíase tem sido um problema terapêutico. Apesar das várias modalidades de tratamento: epilação mecânica, eletrólise com bipolar, crioterapia, fotocoagulação com laser de argônio e procedimentos cirúrgicos, a recidiva da triquíase é comum. Com o objetivo de encontrar técnica próxima ao ideal, realizamos estudo utilizando eletrólise com aparelho de radiofreqüência, avaliando-se a efetividade da técnica. MÉTODOS: Foram estudados, prospectivamente, 34 pacientes (54 segmentos palpebrais) com triquíase, submetidos à eletrólise com aparelho de radiofreqüência. Reavaliaram-se os pacientes em oito semanas, quanto à cura, recidiva e possíveis complicações. RESULTADOS: Observou-se a cura da triquíase com apenas uma única sessão de eletrólise com radiofreqüência em 22 pacientes e com duas ou mais sessões em 12 pacientes. CONCLUSÃO: A eletrólise com aparelho de radiofreqüência é método simples, de baixo custo, que não demanda experiência do cirurgião, com ausência de complicações relevantes e com alto índice de sucesso.

PURPOSE: Trichiasis is an acquired condition in which the eyelashes are directed posteriorly, touching the surface of the cornea. It poses a complex therapeutic problem. Despite several therapeutic options (epilation, electroepilation, cryotherapy, laser ablation and standard surgical techniques), relapse is frequent. METHODS: A prospective, nonmasked study was conducted to determine the efficacy of high-frequency radioelectrosurgery for treatment of trichiasis. Thirty-four patients (fifty-four eyelid segments) were treated with this technique. After eight weeks, all patients were reviewed regarding the success rate, relapse and complications. RESULTS: Cure was achieved after only one session of treatment in twenty-two patients, and two or more sessions in the remaining twelve. No complications have been reported. CONCLUSIONS: We consider high-frequency radioelectrosurgery a simple, not expensive, effective and free of complications technique for the treatment of trichiasis.

Randomised controlled trial of perineal shaving versus hair cutting in parturients on admission in labor.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the maternal and neonatal outcomes between perineal shaving and hair cutting in parturients on admission in labor MATERIAL AND METHOD: Five hundred pregnant women with labor pain and no medical or obstetric complications were selected at random on admission to be assigned into two groups at Rajavithi Hospital from 1st November 2001 to 28th February 2002. Forty two women were excluded because of cesarean section. Two hundred and twenty-seven cases received perineal hair cutting and 231 cases received perineal shaving. RESULTS: The gestational age at delivery was statistically significant difference between those receiving perineal hair cutting (39.4 week) comparing with those receiving perineal shaving (39.1 week) (p < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in 2 groups for puerperal morbidity, perineal wound infection and dehiscence. There were no neonatal infection and puerperal infection in both groups, where as both accoucheurs and perineorrhaphy operators were more satisfied the perineal shaving group than the cutting group (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Perineal shaving or hair cutting on admission in labor had no statistical significant difference effect on the perineal wound infection and dehiscence, neonatal infection, puerperal morbidity and infection.

Mechanical Treatment of Phthiriasis Palpebrarum

Phthiriasis palpebrarum is a rare disease in which crab lice infest the eyelashes. It can cause pruritic lid margins or unusual blepharoconjunctivitis and is difficult to diagnose and treat. We diagnosed and managed a case of phthiriasis palpebrarum in both upper eyelids, accompanied by nits, on the scalp of a 6 year-old female child. We removed the eyelashes, including lice and nits, by pulling with fine forceps without sedation. On the second month after treatment, all lice and nits were eradicated without recurrence and the eyelashes grew back. In conclusion, phthiriasis palpebrarum can be diagnosed by close examination of the eyelashes and eyelid margins with slit lamp and can be managed mechanically.

Laser em dermatologia: princípios físicos, tipos e indicaçöes / Laser in dermatology: phisycal principles, types and indications

O uso de laser em dermatologia tem se expandido muito nos últimos anos. O avanço tecnológico, em mais de 30 anos, permite que a eficácia e as respostas terapêuticas sejam cada vez melhores. Porém, mais complexos tornam-se a compreensäo do seu uso e suas indicaçöes em dermatologia

Hirsutismo en pediatría / Hirsutism in pediatrics

La presencia exagerada de pelo en niños prepúberes o en mujeres es un motivo de preocupación para el paciente y su familia por lo que el pediatra requiere seguir un adecuado camino en el diagnóstico diferencial, apoyándose principalmente en hechos de la anamnesis, examen físico y sólo en algunos casos se necesitará del apoyo de laboratorio o derivación al especialista. Este artículo revisa el tema del hirsutismo en forma clara y didáctica, para que el pediatra logre un adecuado enfoque del problema

Pre-operative skin preparation: a comparative study of three different protocols

This study includes a clinical and cost comparison of three pre operative skin preparation protocols [razor, depilatory cream, no depiltion] in 150 patients undergoing clean surgical operation in North Surgical Ward. The clinical research protocol included an evaluation of depilatory effect, skin integrity after depilation and postoperative wound infection The cost comparison was performed by keeping a record of material used in three preoperative protocols. The clinical evaluation revealed that depilation cream protocol is appropriate method to depilate patients. The razor shaving method should be eliminated from clinical practice due to associated increased risk of postoperative wound infection. Cost calculation revealed that cream protocol is not too much costly as compared to shaving. Although changing to cream protocols may be associated with increase in cost compared to razor method, in the long term it is cost saving. The superiority of this protocol is due to decreased incidence of postoperative wound infections as compared to that associated with shaving. In case of no depilation protocol infection rate is also less than shaving. On the basis of this finding it is considered that hair removal protocol should be used only when that hair would interfere with performance of operation

O tricograma: Parte I. Significado e método de realizaçäo / The trichogram Part I. Significance and method of performing

O tricograma é um exame que analisa o cabelo em um determinado momento. Alteraçöes fisiológicas e anatômicas do ciclo biológico do pêlo podem ser detectadas por exame. Neste trabalho é descrita a técnica de realizaçäo do exame