Female pattern alopecia and lipoproteins

The meaningful association of androgenetic alopecia and coronary heart disease had been well documented, but few studies had been focused on the importance of lipid parameters in patients with androgenetic alopecia. To investigate the lipid profile and its relation to female pattern alopecia. This is a case controlled study conducted at the Department of Dermatology and Venereology-Baghdad Teaching Hospital, between January 2001 and April 2002. Sixty female patients with androgenetic alopecia were enrolled in this work. From each patient a detailed history and full clinical examination were performed regarding all demographic points relative to the disease, grading of alopecia and measurement of serum lipoproteins was done. Female pattern alopecia was classified according to Sharquei's classification Sixty age and weight matched females with normal hair status were considered as a control group. Measurement of serum lipoproteins also performed for them. Sixty patients, their ages ranged between 20-60 years with mean +/- SD of 30.3 +/- 9.4 years. Twenty [33.3%] patients were having grade I, 20 [33.3%] patients grade II and another 20 [33.3%] patients grade III. The mean levels of total serum cholesterol, triglycerides, low density lipoprotein and very low density lipoprotein in all patients and those with grade II and III separately were significantly higher when compared to the control group. On the other hand, the mean levels of high density lipoprotein in all patients and those with grade I and III separately were lower in comparison to the control. The atherogenic index or risk ratio was found to be significantly high in patients with female pattern alopecia and this goes parallel with the severity of baldness

Sandpaper dermabrasion for treatment of acne scars and amateur tattoos in dark skinned individuals

Dermabrasion is an abrasive process used to remove the epidermis and superficial dermis to treat a variety of skin conditions. To evaluate sandpaper as a tool for dermabrasion for the treatment of acne scar and amateur tattoo. This is an open labeled therapeutic trial. It was conducted at the outpatient department of Dermatology and Venereology - Baghdad Teaching Hospital, during the period between January 2003 and December 2004. Ten patients [seven males and 3 females] were enrolled in this work. Their ages ranged from 20-34 years with the a mean +/- SD of 26.80 +/- 4.34 years. Five with acne scars on their faces and 5 with amateur tattoos in the upper extremities. From each patient history was taken and physical examination was performed. Pre-operative medications and instructions were given to each patient. The procedure was done under local anesthesia. Postoperatively all patients were instructed to use steroid-antibiotic ointment and hydroquinon-tretinoin thereafter. Follow up was done after 1 weak, 1 month, and 3 months. Repeated sessions may be needed 1 month apart. Acne scars: Lesions were assessed for correction of contour [unchanged, partially changed, or completely changed], and for complications that might follow. Amateur tattoos: Lesions were assessed for percentage of pigments removal [70%, 80%, 90%, and 100%], and for complications that might follow. Ten patients completed the study. Acne scar group: Three patients achieved partial change of contour after 2 sessions, while complete change of contour was noticed in 2 patients after 4, and 6 sessions respectively. The procedure resulted in very fine, less noticeable scar with smooth contour of the skin which was acceptable in all patients. Amateur tattoos group: Complete removal of pigments was achieved in one patient, more than 90% in 3 patients, and more than 80% in 1 patient. No significant complications were seen apart from mild erythema and mild infection in one patient with amateur tattoo. Temporary post inflammatory hypopigmentation in two patients with tattoo. Three patients had mild scar after removal of tattoo. Sandpaper dermabrasion is an effective mode of treatment for acne scar and amateur tattoo. It is safe in dark skinned people