Light-induced nitric oxide release in the skin beyond UVA and blue light: Red & near-infrared wavelengths.

Nitric oxide (NO) is omnipresent in the body and synthesized by 3 isoenzymes (nNOS, eNOS and iNOS), all detected in human skin. NO can be stored in a pool of compounds readily converted to NO following skin irradiation by UVR and blue light. This non-enzymatic (without NOS involvement) photolytic reaction mobilizes cutaneous stores of NO derivatives to the bloodstream, lowering blood pressure. However, with the likelihood of skin deleterious effects caused by UVR/blue light, safer wavelengths in the red/near-infrared (NIR) spectrum are becoming potential contenders to release cutaneous NO, possibly via NOS temperature-dependent effects. The use of red/NIR light to mobilize NO stores from the body's largest organ (the skin) is auspicious. This review focuses on UVR, blue, red, and NIR spectra and their capacity to release NO in human skin. PubMed and Google Scholar were used as article databases to find relevant publications related to this particular field.

Beneficial effects of spraying low mineral content thermal spring water after fractional photothermolysis in patients with dermal melasma.

INTRODUCTION: Melasma is a common dermatological skin disease that can now be treated by fractional photothermolysis (fractional resurfacing). Past studies have shown that thermal spring water (TSW) spray can reduce local inflammatory symptoms after dermatological surgery, laser surgery or chemical peelings. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of spraying TSW post-fractional resurfacing treatment in patients with dermal melasma. METHODS: Twenty patients with bilateral dermal melasma were included in this split-face comparative study. Patients were treated by fractional resurfacing laser and then TSW was sprayed generously unilaterally. For the next 48 h, patients were instructed to spray thermal water at least six times a day on one side. Patient's self-assessment conducted 10 min and 2 days after TSW spraying (stinging, pain, skin dryness, swelling, and redness) and investigator's 48-h post-treatment evaluation (purpura, skin dryness, erythema, swelling, scars, hyper- or hypopigmentation) were recorded for the treated and control sides using visual analogue scales. RESULTS: Pain, dryness, and redness were significantly lower 10 min after spraying on the TSW-treated side in comparison with the untreated side, as assessed by the patients (P < 0.05). Two days after fractional resurfacing, dryness and redness were still improved on the TSW-treated side. The investigator's evaluation revealed that erythema, the only perceivable sign following irradiation, was significantly reduced by TSW spraying (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: This split-face comparative study conducted in patients with dermal melasma showed that spraying TSW after fractional laser resurfacing significantly reduced short-term adverse effects associated with the procedure.

[Fibrofolliculoma. Treatment with copper vapor laser]. / Le fibrofolliculome. Traitement par laser à vapeur de cuivre.

There are many clinical presentations to fibrofolliculoma, described by Birt, Hogg and Dubé: the solitary and multiple forms, with or without other skin tumors, could also be markers of intestinal polyposis. Little is known of its pathogenesis. A case of multiple fibrofolliculoma of the face and neck is described. A new therapeutic approach by copper vapour laser is proposed.

[Urticaria and antihistamines]. / L'urticaire et les anti-histaminiques.

Urticaria is often incapacitating, yet it is not always easy to know whether a patient should undergo testing and what treatment should be prescribed. This article provides a systematic approach to urticaria and its treatment.