Evaluation of vitamin D plasma levels after mild exposure to the sun with photoprotection

Abstract: Background: Most of the organism's vitamin D (VD) is obtained through the cutaneous synthesis after exposure to the sun's UVB radiation. Sunscreens are indicated for the prevention of actinic damage to the skin, however, there are few clinical trials assessing the synthesis of cutaneous VD in real-life situations of sun exposure with ordinary clothing and usual photoprotection. Objectives: To evaluate the synthesis of VD with suberythemal sun exposure in healthy adults using topical photoprotection (SPF 30). Methods: Quasi-experimental study, conducted at Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), during winter, with 95 healthy adults who had 25-OH-VD checked twice, 24 hours apart, and were exposed to the sun (UVB=20 mJ/cm2), according to a randomized grouping: SC - use of SPF 30 on the face, neck and chest (n=64), NO - no sunscreens (n=10), CO - confined from sun exposure for 24h (n=21). The groups were matched according to the propensity score related to gender, age, phototype, body mass index, glycosylated hemoglobin and baseline levels of VD. The outcome evaluated was the variation (ΔVD) in serum level of 25-OH-VD (ng/ml) between the groups. Results: A statistically significant difference was identified between CO and SC groups [median (p25-p75)]: ΔVD =1.4 (-0.3-3.6) vs. 5.5 (4.8-6.6); p<0.01. There was no difference between SC and NO groups: 5.4 (3.1-6.1) vs. 4.1 (2.5-6.0); p=0.17. Study limitations: Laboratory analysis technique (chemiluminescence) with great variability, loss of food intake standardatization, unbalanced groups. Conclusions: Suberythemal sun exposure with sunscreen (SPF 30) provides similar vitamin D serum variation than without photoprotection in healthy adults.

Drug delivery de anestésicos tópicos é uma técnica eficaz para diminuição da dor no microagulhamento: um estudo-piloto / Drug delivery of topical anesthetics as an effective technique for reducing pain in microneedling: a pilot study

Introdução: O microagulhamento, também conhecido como terapia percutânea de indução de colágeno, é procedimento seguro e eficaz, usado para rejuvenescimento, melhora de cicatrizes, melasma, alopecias e outras indicações clínicas, bem como drug delivery em geral. Apesar dos benefícios e da segurança da técnica, o controle da dor ainda é seu maior fator limitante. Objetivo: Avaliar se a realização de drug delivery de anestésicos tópicos imediatamente antes do microagulhamento pode diminuir a sensação de dor. Métodos: Estudo-piloto de casos, split face com nove pacientes consecutivos, buscando tratamento para cicatrizes de acne, rejuvenescimento e melhora da firmeza da pele. Após limpeza da pele, foi aplicado creme anestésico tópico em toda a face, seguido de drug delivery deste com roller de 0,5mm somente no lado esquerdo. Imediatamente após, o anestésico foi removido de toda a face e realizado o microagulhamento nos dois lados com roller de 1mm. Resultados: O lado esquerdo da face, onde foi realizado drug delivery do anestésico tópico antes do microagulhamento, apresentou significativa diminuição da dor (p < 0,01) com média de 3,33 (± 1,49) quando comparado com o lado direito da face [média de 5,22 (± 1,74)], no qual foi aplicado o mesmo anestésico e pelo mesmo tempo. Conclusão: Neste ensaio, a técnica de drug delivery do anestésico tópico foi eficaz e segura para diminuir a sensação de dor durante o microagulhamento.

Introduction: Microneedling, also known as percutaneous collagen induction therapy, is a safe and effective procedure, mostly used for rejuvenation, treatment of scars, melasma, alopecia, and other conditions, as well as for drug delivery. Despite the safety and benefits of this technique, the control of pain during the procedure is its major limiting factor. Objectives: To assess whether the drug delivery system for topical anesthesia immediately before a microneedling session is capable of reducing the pain. Methods: A split-face pilot study was carried out with nine consecutive cases of microneedling that had been indicated for the treatment of acne scars, rejuvenation and collagen induction. All patients underwent cleansing of the skin followed by the application of topical anesthetics on the entire face, and drug delivery with a 0.5mm roller only on the left hand side of the face. Next, all anesthetics were removed and microneedling with a 1.0mm roller was performed on both sides of the face Results: There was a significant reduction of the pain on the left hand side of the face, where the drug delivery was carried out (p <0.01), with a mean value of 3.33 (± 1.49) on the Visual Analogue Scale as compared to the right hand side, which yielded a mean value of 5.22 (± 1.74). Conclusion: The topical anesthetic drug delivery technique was effective and successful in reducing the pain during microneedling procedures carried out in the study's patients group.