Atopic dermatitis is a common inflammatory skin disorder that afflicts a growing number of young children. Genetic, immune, and environmental factors interact in a complex fashion to contribute to disease expression. The compromised stratum corneum found in atopic dermatitis leads to skin barrier dysfunction, which results in aggravation of symptoms by aeroallergens, microbes, and other insults. Infants—whose immune system and epidermal barrier are still developing—display a higher frequency of atopic dermatitis. Management of patients with atopic dermatitis includes maintaining optimal skin care, avoiding allergic triggers, and routinely using emollients to maintain a hydrated stratum corneum and to improve barrier function. Flares of atopic dermatitis are often managed with courses of topical corticosteroids or calcineurin inhibitors. This paper discusses the role of emollients in the management of atopic dermatitis, with particular emphasis on infants and young children.
Plasma skin regeneration is one of the most innovative techniques to ameliorate skin damages caused by photoaging and chronoaging. In this study, we assessed on rat skin the biologic effects of a new approach, termed vacumm radiofrequency plasma (VRFP), that causes the formation of ionized plasma using a radiofrequency (13.56 MHz) in the presence of vacuum (1 3 103 Pa). Activation of dermal fibroblasts, collagen synthesis, and cell damage were investigated before and after the application of VRFP. Male Wistar rats were anesthetized and depilated; areas for control and treatment were chosen on the back of each animal; experiments were performed in triplicate, and each area was treated with a single electric impulse; skin specimens were obtained after 48 hours and 7, 30, and 60 days after the treatment. Collagen synthesis was determined by immunohistochemistry using a specific antiprocollagen antibody and by trichromic Masson staining. Cell damage was evaluated by immunohistochemistry using a specific primary antibody against the heat shock protein HSP90. The results demonstrate that, 7 days after treatment with medium intensity, the activation of dermal fibroblasts and collagen synthesis were higher in comparison to what observed after 48 hours. Observation at longer times (30 and 60 days after treatment) demonstrated that the effects induced by VRFP were significantly decreased eventually leading to complete normalization of the tissue. The expression of HSP90, taken as indicator of cell damage, was higher 48 hours after the treatment; after 7 days, the expression of HSP90 begun to decrease, and after 30 and 60 days its expression was the same of control, untreated cells. VRFP at low intensity was not efficient in inducing collagen synthesis; on the contrary VRFP at high intensity caused significant tissue damage and evoked a strong inflammatory response in the dermis. Therefore from this study emerges the fact that VRFP at medium intensity stimulates dermal fibroblast activation with a significant increase of collagen synthesis in the dermis and with no concomitant inflammation or skin damage.Background: Considerable information has been published supporting the safety, efficacy, and dosing of botulinum toxin type A (BONTA) to treat facial lines. This is the first reported well controlled study in this aspect in Chinese patients.
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