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Context:Trichostasis spinulosa (TS) is a common but underdiagnosed follicular disorder involving retention of successive telogen hair in the hair follicle. Laser hair removal is a newer treatment modality for TS with promising results.Aims:This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of 800 nm diode laser to treat TS in Asian patients.Subjects and Methods:We treated 50 Indian subjects (Fitzpatrick skin phototype IV–V) with untreated trichostasis spinulosa on the nose with 800 nm diode laser at fluence ranging from 22 to 30 J/cm2 and pulse width of 30 ms. The patients were given two sittings at 8 week intervals. The evaluation was done by blinded assessment of photographs by independent dermatologists.Results:Totally 45 (90%) patients had complete clearance of the lesions at the end of treatment. Five (10%) subjects needed one-third sitting for complete clearance. 45 patients had complete resolution and no recurrence even at 2 years follow-up visit. 5 patients had partial recurrence after 8–9 months and needed an extra laser session.Conclusions:Laser hair reduction in patients with TS targets and removes the hair follicles which are responsible for the plugged appearance. Due to permanent ablation of the hair bulb and bulge, the recurrence which is often seen with other modalities of treatment for TS is not observed here.

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Lichen planus pigmentosus (LPP) is a cosmetically disfiguring condition. Many treatment options are available which are effective in halting the progression of the disease. The treatment of persistent pigmentation is still a challenge. We describe the use of Q-switched Nd-YAG laser in 13 patients with stable LPP using a standard protocol. Most of our patients showed complete to near-complete resolution of pigment without much complications.

Palmoplantar psoriasis (PPP) is a variant of psoriasis which affects only 5% body surface area, but has a devastating impact on affected individual's quality of life. There are few studies assessing efficacy of individual drugs, and few comparative studies of efficacy of two drugs in the literature, however randomized control trial comparing all three drugs against each other has not been done. A total of 75 patients of PPP were enrolled for study and randomly divided into three groups A, B, C of 25 each and assigned for treatment with cyclosporine (CSA) (2.5‐5 mg/kg/d), methotrexate (MTX)(7.5‐15 mg/week), and acitretin (ACT) (25‐50 mg/d), respectively. Modified psoriasis area and severity index (PASI), psoriasis severity scale, visual analogue scale, physician global assessment, and PPQOL were used for monitoring response to therapy and improvement in quality of life up to end of study, and thereafter monthly follow‐up was done to find duration of remission for next 90 days. Side effects if any were recorded. There was a statistically significant difference in modified PASI for CSA, MTX, and ACT. The mean modified PASI at baseline was 12.8 ± 4.8 for CSA, 12.57 ± 3.8 for MTX, and 11.92 ± 3.28 for ACT (P = .75). Mean modified PASI reduced to 2.91 ± 1.8 for CSA, 6.57 ± 2.2 for MTX, and 4.7 ± 2.2 for ACT at week 5 (P = <.01). Mean modified PASI further reduced to 0.095 ± 0.35 for CSA, 2.12 ± 1.4 for MTX, and 0.78 ± 0.97 for ACT at end of study (P = <.01). However, average duration of remission was 9 weeks for ACT group, followed by 6.47 and 3 weeks for CSA and MTX group, respectively. Adverse events were comparatively more in ACT group as compared to MTX and CSA groups. PPP affects quality of life tremendously and warrants systemic treatment for the same. CSA provides fastest resolution of lesions and have highest efficacy. MTX and ACT have similar efficacy, but ACT provides longer duration of remission.