This study evaluates results, adverse side effects and downtime of the protocol 'ActiveFX' for photodamaged facial skin. A non-sequential fractional ultrapulsed CO2 laser with specific settings is used in addition to a new computer pattern generator (CPG). From September 2006 to March 2007, 55 patients underwent this new 'soft' single-session, single-pass and full-face ablative fractional treatment. The patients were evaluated at baseline and 1 and 3 months after the treatment using a five-point scale. Seven aspects of photodamaged skin were recorded: global score, fine lines, mottled pigmentation, sallow complexion, tactile roughness, coarse wrinkles and telangiectasias. The results were compared with a non-parametric statistical test, the Wilcoxon's exact test. Eight patients received a double-pass treatment on the crow's feet regions and the improvement of the coarse wrinkles was analyzed with a quartile grading scale. Significant differences (p<0.05) between baseline and 1 and 3 months post-treatment were observed for all features except telangiectasias. Coarse wrinkles presented a good improvement only in the regions submitted to a double-pass. Minimal and isolated adverse side effects were noted and the downtime was very low. Non-sequential fractional ultrapulsed CO2 light treatment ('ActiveFX') can be considered an excellent alternative for photodamaged facial skin.

A variety of skin and oral mucosal lesions appearing in patients after renal transplantation have been reported in the literature. Because most of these data pertain to adults, we studied a group of children with kidney transplants to investigate the occurrence of skin and/or oral mucosal lesions, compare them with those observed in adults, and contribute to the knowledge of the pathogenesis of these disorders. Our series consisted of 32 patients aged 5 to 18 years, all of whom had skin and/or oral mucosal lesions that were classified as being either drug induced, probably related to uremia, or due to other causes. A possible relationship between drug-induced lesions and the therapeutic immunosuppressive regimen in use was investigated. In addition, two formerly unreported lesions were seen in these patients: hypertrophy of lingual fungiform papillae and onychoschizia. The former occurred only in children receiving cyclosporine. Compared with adults, the frequency of gingival hypertrophy was higher and that of infectious disease was lower.