Glycolic acid peels versus amino fruit acid peels for acne.

INTRODUCTION: Chemical exfoliation resulting in the reduction of keratotic plugs serves as a second-line treatment used as an adjunct to anti-acne agents. This study was designed to compare the therapeutic effects of glycolic acid (GA) peels and amino fruit acid (AFA) peels in patients with acne vulgaris. METHODS: In this single-blind, randomized, right-left comparison study, 24 patients received 12 serial peels (GA and AFA, at concentrations from the lowest to the highest) on the two halves of the face at 2-week intervals for 6 months. In addition, cutaneous tolerability assessments during the applications and the patient preference test between both peeling methods at the end of the study were performed. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant decrease in the number of non-inflamed lesions with GA following the first month and with AFA following the second month (p < 0.05). The decrease in the number of inflamed lesions was statistically significant with GA at the end of the fifth and sixth months and with AFA only at the end of the fifth month (p < 0.05). When the two applications were compared with each other, there was not a statistically significant difference in terms of non-inflamed and inflamed lesions (p > 0.05). During the application, it was observed that AFA peels caused fewer problems than GA peels did. AFA concentrations were increased more rapidly and more sessions were performed at the highest concentration of AFA. CONCLUSION: Based on the results of this study, we can state that both GA and AFA peels are efficacious for comedonal acne. And, compared to a GA peel, an AFA peel is less irritating and better tolerated.

Glycolic acid peels versus amino fruit acid peels in the treatment of melasma.

BACKGROUND: Chemical peels are becoming more popular as a treatment modality for melasma. OBJECTIVE: To compare the therapeutic effects of glycolic acid (GA) peels and amino fruit acid (AFA) peels in patients with melasma. METHODS: In this single-blind, randomized right-left comparison study, patients received 12 serial peels on the two halves of the face at 2-week intervals for 6 months. Clinical evaluation based on the modified Melasma Area and Severity Index (MASI) scores was performed at baseline and at 3 and 6 months. RESULTS: The modified MASI scores at 3 and 6 months in both application areas decreased significantly from baseline (p<.05). When the two applications were compared with each other, there was no statistically significant difference between GA and AFA in terms of regression of melasma (p>.05). During the application, it was observed that AFA peels caused fewer problems than GA peels did. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results of this study, GA and AFA peels for melasma therapy were efficacious, but the AFA peel was found to be less irritating and was better tolerated.

Quantification of female pattern hair loss: a study in a Turkish population.

Studies dealing with the relationship between the clinical staging of female pattern hair loss (FPHL) and quantitative measurements of hair parameters are limited. This study was performed to quantify Turkish women's hair characteristics in FPHL, to assess the relationship between clinical presentations of FPHL with hair density and anagen hair ratio and to compare the differences in hair parameters between FPHL and normal women, using epiluminescence microscopy combined with digital image analysis (Trichoscan). Hair density and anagen hair ratio measurements of 39 patients with FPHL were evaluated according to clinical stages and compared with those of 31 healthy volunteers. The results of digital image analysis were compared with the results of visual counting using the photomacrographs of the same images. Mid-scalp hair density and anagen ratio of the patients were detected to be significantly lower than those of the controls. The visual counting detected significant differences among the hair densities of all groups including controls, Ludwig I, and Ludwig II/III groups, while digital image analysis revealed a significant difference only between controls and Ludwig II/III groups. Thus digital image analysis was found to underestimate hair density, and the amount of underestimation demonstrated a positive correlation with hair density. In conclusion, diminished hair density seems to be the main sign in the clinical diagnosis of hair loss, although digital image analysis was found to be less competent than visual counting in detecting hair density. Thus, the increase in hair density in the assessment of various treatment modality effects may be underestimated by digital image analysis.

Peeling skin syndrome.

Peeling skin syndrome is a rare disease characterized by widespread painless peeling of the skin. To date, several cases have been described with different clinical features called peeling skin syndrome. Previous reports describe two types (type A and type B) of peeling skin syndrome, both of which show generalized desquamation, sparing palms and soles. We report a 23-year old man who has been classified as neither type A nor type B, and whose history, clinical features and histopathological findings led to a diagnosis of peeling skin syndrome. In addition, the desquamation pattern in our patient was different from that of both types because our case's palms and soles were involved too.