Analyzing the Photoprotection Efficiency of Sunscreens Containing Antioxidants under Disinfection Conditions.

Sunscreens ensure thorough protection against sunburn. The delivery of UV filters into the stratum corneum and viable epidermis could be reduced by the use of antioxidants (such as ß-carotene and trans-resveratrol, alone or combined). The presence/absence of antioxidants (trans-resveratrol and ß-carotene) in formulations containing benzophenone-3 (UV-filter) and their efficiency under disinfection and neutral conditions are studied and compared. The trial was conducted on 38 people. The prepared ointments were applied to the participants' forearms, irradiated and monitored by reflectance colorimetry after 0, 4, 6, and 8 min. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the skin color's main characteristics and the F-ratio was used to test overall differences. The ointments containing antioxidants and benzophenone-3 were the most efficient, followed by those with benzophenone-3 alone. It was proven that photoprotection with benzophenone-3 is still effective, despite the formation of its chlorinated products. Due to the short time of exposure to disinfecting conditions, it could be assumed that benzophenone-3 was only partially chlorinated. This clinical study demonstrated that formulations containing antioxidants are likely to be more suitable for protecting skin against UVB irradiation than a UV filter alone.

Corrigendum to "The Role of Antioxidants in Skin Cancer Prevention and Treatment".

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1155/2014/860479.].

THE (A)SYMMETRY OF THE MALE GRAYING BEARD HAIRS AS AN INDICATION OF THE PROGRAMMED AGING PROCESS.

Aging interventions will be ineffective if we do not understand the basic principles of aging. Currently, there is no consensus on the issue whether aging is programmed or not. The hypothesis presented in this article indicates that aging (at least graying of male hairs) is programmed. This hypothesis is supported by the symmetry of the graying of male beard hairs. According to stochastic theories of aging, aging is a passive non-programmed process where random dispersion of graying hairs should result. On the contrary, programmed theories of aging would predict that there should be symmetry on the left and right parts of the face showing the same proportion, pattern and time of appearance of graying hairs.

Connubial ecthyma gangrenosum in a healthy couple: a consort counterpart of a "kissing ulcer".

Ecthyma gangrenosum is a relatively rare cutaneous infection generally thought to be linked to sepsis or bacteremia caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa in severely ill or otherwise immunocompromised patients. Here we report on a healthy middle-aged couple with a typical ecthyma gangrenosum lesion on their thighs, obviously caused by spreading through intimate contact between two skin surfaces: a sort of "consort kissing ulcer." Although they declined to allow microbiological sampling, the lesions gradually but completely regressed with oral ciprofloxacin treatment, leaving atrophic scars.

Eczema within port wine stain: spontaneous and laser-induced Meyerson phenomenon.

Port wine stain (PWS, nevus flammeus) is a relatively common vascular malformation of postcapillary venules affecting 0.3 to 0.5% of newborn children. Since the mid-1990s, a case series and several case reports have described dermatitis on PWS corresponding to Meyerson phenomenon, usually reported in the setting of melanocytic nevi. There is no universal explanation of the cause or pathogenesis of eczema occurring in PWS, but it may be precipitated by atopic disease or vascular laser treatment of the malformation. Here we described two non-atopic girls with dermatitis developing within their nevi flammei, in one temporally related to KTP laser treatment, and in the other obviously not associated with the treatment. However, in both patients the eczema responded well to a short course of topical corticosteroids.

The role of antioxidants in skin cancer prevention and treatment.

Skin cells are constantly exposed to reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative stress from exogenous and endogenous sources. UV radiation is the most important environmental factor in the development of skin cancer and skin aging. The primary products caused by UV exposure are generally direct DNA oxidation or generation of free radicals which form and decompose extremely quickly but can produce effects that can last for hours, days, or even years. UV-induced generation of ROS in the skin develops oxidative stress when their formation exceeds the antioxidant defense ability. The reduction of oxidative stress can be achieved on two levels: by lowering exposure to UVR and/or by increasing levels of antioxidant defense in order to scavenge ROS. The only endogenous protection of our skin is melanin and enzymatic antioxidants. Melanin, the pigment deposited by melanocytes, is the first line of defense against DNA damage at the surface of the skin, but it cannot totally prevent skin damage. A second category of defense is repair processes, which remove the damaged biomolecules before they can accumulate and before their presence results in altered cell metabolism. Additional UV protection includes avoidance of sun exposure, usage of sunscreens, protective clothes, and antioxidant supplements.

What is the news? A difference between men and women.

It is a common observation that women and men react differently to stress and illness. We questioned 63 consecutive patients with pityriasis rosea and found that the women were overwhelmingly more likely than men to ask to hear unpleasant information before positive information.

Terra firma-forme dermatosis in a child.

We present a case of reticulate hyperpigmented patches symmetrically distributed on the arms of a 13- year-old boy that appeared after a summer seaside vacation. The lesions were easily wiped off with isopropyl alcohol, confirming the diagnosis of terra firma-forme dermatosis. Dermatologists should be aware of this relatively common skin condition.

Contact sensitivity in patients with venous leg ulcers in Serbia: comparison with contact dermatitis patients and relationship to ulcer duration.

BACKGROUND: Contact hypersensitivity is a common occurrence in patients with chronic venous leg ulcers (CVLU) with allergen profiles depending upon the local treatment policies. OBJECTIVE: This study was to determine the frequency of contact sensitivity, prevalence of individual allergens, polyvalent sensitization, and/or their relationship to ulcers duration in the population of CVLU and contact dermatitis patients in Serbia. PATIENTS: 75 patients with CVLU and 82 patients with clinically suspected contact dermatitis were prospectively included in the study. The patients were patch tested with a series of 21 standard and 22 supplemental allergens. RESULTS: 73% (n = 55) of CVLU and 52% (n = 43) of control subjects had 1 or more positive patch test results (P < 0.01). Polysensitization was found in 53% of patients and 21% of controls (P < 0.01). CVLU patients run 2.5 and 4.3 higher risk for contact sensitization and polysensitization, respectively. The most common allergens were Balsam of Peru (21.3%), carba mix (18.7%), fusidic acid (17.3%), colophony (13.3%), paraben mix (12%), chloramphenicol (12%), silver nitrate (12%), and neomycin (10.7%). Polivalent sensitization and higher mean number of allergens were associated with ulcer duration >5 years. CONCLUSIONS: The results confirm a high rate of contact (poly)sensitization in patients with CVLU and local variability in allergen prevalence.

Vascular lasers and IPLS: guidelines for care from the European Society for Laser Dermatology (ESLD).

Dermatology and dermatologic surgery have rapidly evolved during the last two decades thanks to the numerous technological and scientific acquisitions focused on improved precision in the diagnosis and treatment of skin alterations. Given the proliferation of new devices for the treatment of vascular lesions, we have considerably changed our treatment approach. Lasers and non-coherent intense pulse light sources (IPLS) are based on the principle of selective photothermolysis and can be used for the treatment of many vascular skin lesions. A variety of lasers has recently been developed for the treatment of congenital and acquired vascular lesions which incorporate these concepts into their design. The list is a long one and includes pulsed dye (FPDL, APDL) lasers (577 nm, 585 nm and 595 nm), KTP lasers (532 nm), long pulsed alexandrite lasers (755 nm), pulsed diode lasers (in the range of 800 to 900 nm), long pulsed 1064 Nd:YAG lasers and intense pulsed light sources (IPLS, also called flash-lights or pulsed light sources). Several vascular lasers (such as argon, tunable dye, copper vapour, krypton lasers) which were used in the past are no longer useful as they pose a higher risk of complications such as dyschromia (hypopigmentation or hyperpigmentation) and scarring. By properly selecting the wavelength which is maximally absorbed by the target--also called the chromophore (haemoglobin in the red blood cells within the vessels)--and a corresponding pulse duration which is shorter than the thermal relaxation time of that target, the target can be preferentially injured without transferring significant amounts of energy to surrounding tissues (epidermis and surrounding dermal tissue). Larger structures require more time for sufficient heat absorption. Therefore, a longer laser-pulse duration has to be used. In addition, more deeply situated vessels require the use of longer laser wavelengths (in the infrared range) which can penetrate deeper into the skin. Although laser and light sources are very popular due to their non-invading nature, caution should be considered by practitioners and patients to avoid permanent side effects. These guidelines focus on patient selection and treatment protocol in order to provide safe and effective treatment. Physicians should always make the indication for the treatment and are responsible for setting the machine for each individual patient and each individual treatment. The type of laser or IPLS and their specific parameters must be adapted to the indication (such as the vessel's characteristics, e.g. diameter, colour and depth, the Fitzpatrick skin type). Treatments should start on a test patch and a treatment grid can improve accuracy. Cooling as well as a reduction of the fluence will prevent adverse effects such as pigment alteration and scar formation. A different number of repeated treatments should be done to achieve complete results of different vascular conditions. Sunscreen use before and after treatment will produce and maintain untanned skin. Individuals with dark skin, and especially tanned patients, are at higher risk for pigmentary changes and scars after the laser or IPLS treatment.