Functional and esthetic effects of botulinum toxin injection into the masseter muscles: evaluation of 80 patients from a dermatological perspective.

BACKGROUND: Masseter muscle hypertrophy is characterized by a symmetrical or asymmetrical increase in muscle volume. Although it can be asymptomatic, it may be associated with bruxism. Therefore, patients may seek intervention for esthetic and/or functional concerns. This study aimed to establish patient characteristics, purpose of undergoing botulinum toxin injection into the masseter muscles, efficacy, and side effects of the procedure at a dermatology clinic. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was carried out over a period of one year from January 2022 to January 2023 for the patients who underwent botulinum toxin injection into the masseter muscles. The general characteristics of patients, the purpose of botulinum toxin treatment, relief levels regarding bruxism according to the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), side effects, and complications were recorded. RESULTS: The study group comprised 74 female and 6 male patients with a mean age of 31.20 ± 6.71 years. Eighteen (22.5%) patients were treated only for narrowing the lower face contour, 28 (35%) patients were treated only for the relief of bruxism, and 34 (42.5%) patients were treated for both indications. Fifteen (18.8%) patients experienced 16 treatment-related side effects, including two (2.5%) with smile asymmetry and two (2.5%) with paradoxical bulging. CONCLUSIONS: Botulinum toxin injection into the masseter muscles with the intention of lower face contouring and/or relieving bruxism offers a minimally invasive, safe, and effective treatment option. Although it has a favorable safety profile, the risks of significant side effects or complications remain.

Which factors influence Demodex mite density in standardized superficial skin biopsy in patients with rosacea? A prospective cross-sectional analysis.

Rosacea is a chronic cutaneous disease that manifests with facial erythema, telangiectasia, papules and pustules on the central face. Although the pathogenesis is not well established, rosacea appears to have a close relationship with Demodex mites. The aim of the study was to elucidate the factors influencing Demodex mite density by standardized superficial skin biopsy (SSSB) in patients with rosacea. This prospective, cross-sectional study included 200 patients with rosacea. Clinical characteristics of the patients were recorded and SSSB was used to measure Demodex density (Dd). If Dd was < 5 D/cm2 in the first SSSB, SSSB was repeated 4 more times to avoid false negative results. Of 200 patients, 152 (76%) were females and 48 (24%) males with a mean age of 43.47 ± 11.87 years. Ninety-nine patients (49.5%) had erythematotelangiectatic (ETR) and 101 patients (50.5%) had papulopustular (PPR) subtype of rosacea. Among 200 patients, the ratio of cumulative positive results of the consecutive SSSBs were as follows: 1st SSSB = 125 (62.5%), 2nd SSSB = 155 (77.5%), 3rd SSSB = 170 (85%), 4th SSSB = 173 (86.5%) and 5th SSSB = 174 (87%). The ratio of detecting Demodex infestation in the first SSSB was significantly lower in patients with PPR (55/101, 54.5%) than in patients with ETR (70/99, 70.7%). Median total Demodex mite density and D. folliculorum density were significantly higher in the ETR group than in the PPR group. There was a statistically significant relationship between density of Demodex tails in dermoscopy and positive/negative results of Demodex infestation in SSSB. As a conclusion, Demodex mite density by SSSB was influenced by various factors such as subtypes of rosacea, types of Demodex species, and dermoscopic findings.

Comparison of the psychosocial impact of acne in adolescents and adults; body satisfaction, self-esteem, and quality of life.

BACKGROUND: Dermatological diseases, including acne vulgaris, have significant psychosocial effects on patients. AIMS: To compare body satisfaction, self-esteem, and quality of life (QoL) in adolescents and adults with acne. METHODS: A total of 192 acne patients (132 female, 60 male; aged 19.42 ± 3.50 years) were included in the study. Global Acne Grading System, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), Turkish Acne Quality of Life Index (TAQoLI), and Body Cathexis Scale (BCS) were used. The patients were divided into two groups: under 20 years old (adolescents) and 20 years and above (adults). RESULTS: The mean RSES score was found as 19.49 ± 5.11, the mean BCS score was 143.95 ± 20.92 and the mean TAQoLI score was 23.44 ± 10.02. There was no difference between adolescents and adults in terms of the mean value of the RSES score, TAQoLI score, and BCS score (p > 0.05). But, the proportion of those whose RSES score is below 15 is higher in patients under 20 years of age (28%) than patients aged 20 and over (14%) (p < 0.05). Linear regression analysis revealed that the most important determinant of body satisfaction was self-esteem (ß = 0.287, p < 0.05), the most important determinants of self-esteem were body satisfaction (ß = 0.208, p < 0.05), QoL (ß = -0.398, p < 0.001), and education level (ß = 0.245, p = 0.007) and, one of the most important determinant of QoL was self-esteem (ß = -0.403, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that acne vulgaris negatively affects an individual's body satisfaction, self-esteem, and QoL. The psychosocial burden of acne is as significant for adults as for adolescents. Body satisfaction, self-esteem, and QoL are in interaction with each other.

The course of acne in healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic and evaluation of possible risk factors.

BACKGROUND: There are a limited number of publications reporting an increase in acne in the COVID-19 outbreak. OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to evaluate the course and the clinical features of acne and possible risk factors during the COVID-19 pandemic in healthcare workers. METHOD: A total of 172 physicians (female, n = 159, male; n = 13, mean age = 35.03 ± 5.27 years) who had acne in any period of their life were included in the study. A self-administered online questionnaire was applied. RESULTS: During the COVID-19 pandemic, 45.35% of the participants reported that their acne complaints increased, 27.33% reported relapses, and 7.56% reported occurrence for the first time. Newly formed acne was reported most frequently on the chin (78.26%). The number of female participants, smoking, increased stress, and the rate of surgical mask use were found to be higher in the group whose acne occurred for the first time, relapsed, or increased than in the group whose acne complaints were unchanged or decreased (p < 0.05). In the group whose acne relapsed or increased, adult-onset acne, presence of scar, and use of systemic acne treatment before the COVID-19 pandemic were more common than in the group whose acne complaints were unchanged or decreased (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Almost half of the participants reported an increase in acne. More than a third of the participants reported that their acne relapsed or they had acne for the first time. In addition to the use of surgical masks, factors such as increased stress, smoking, adult-onset acne, presence of scar, and previous systemic acne treatment were found to be responsible for acne development.

Internalized stigma: One of the main factors responsible for the psychosocial burden of melasma?

BACKGROUND: Internalized stigma is the acceptance of negative stereotypes about the disease created by society and withdrawing self from society with emotions such as worthlessness and shame. AIMS: This study aimed to investigate the internalized stigma state of patients with melasma, and to identify the factors affecting the internalized stigma. METHODS: A total of 55 melasma patients were included. The sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of the patients were recorded. Melasma Severity Index, the Turkish version of the Melasma Quality of Life Scale (MelasQoL-TR), and Internalized Stigma Scale (ISS) were used. Besides, patients answered the Perceived Health Status (PHS) and the General Health Questionnaire 12 scales (GHQ-12) surveys. RESULTS: The mean ISS total score was found as 49.49 ± 13.15. Cronbach's alpha coefficient for the whole scale was calculated as 0.92 for melasma patients. There was a significant correlation between the ISS total score and MelasQoL-TR (r = 0.608, P < .001). Besides, statistically significant positive correlations were also found between the overall scores of ISS and GHQ-12 (r = 0.578, P < .001). Linear regression analysis revealed that the most important determinant of internalized stigma was MelasQoL-TR (ß = 0.313, P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that patients with melasma internalize the negative stereotype judgments of the society about the disease. High levels of internalized stigma are related to poor quality of life and psychological illnesses. Therefore, internalized stigma may be one of the main factors responsible for the psychosocial burden of melasma.