The term cosmeceutical was created over 25 years ago to define products with active substances that cannot be considered cosmetics or drugs. Cosmeceuticals are increasingly popular, with sales representing one of the largest growing segments of the skin care market. These products are found in many forms, including vitamins, peptides, growth factors, and botanical extracts. Cosmeceuticals that contain topically applied vitamins have an increasing role in skin care.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) consists of a chemical reaction activated by light energy that is used to selectively destroy tissue. The reaction requires a photosensitizer in the target tissue, a light source and oxygen. The most extensively studied photosensitizing agents for PDT are 5-aminolevulinic acid for the treatment of actinic keratosis and methyl-aminolevulinate, which has been approved for the treatment of actinic keratosis, basal cell carcinoma and Bowen's disease. The light sources used in photodynamic therapy should emit light at wavelengths within the absorption spectrum of the photosensitizer used in PDT treatment. Light emitting diode (LED) lamps are indicated for the photodynamic treatment of nonmelanoma skin cancer. PDT should be considered as a therapeutic option, particularly in the case of patients with superficial, multiple or disseminated lesions and for immunosuppressed patients. More recently, PDT has been indicated for a wide range of dermatological conditions such as photo-damaged skin, acne, hidradenitis, scleroderma, psoriasis, warts and leishmaniosis, among others. This article provides an extensive review of photodynamic therapy, its mechanisms, indications and results. Keywords: 5-aminolevulinate synthetase; Photochemotherapy; Review Resumo: A terapia fotodinâmica é uma reação química ativada por luz usada para destruição seletiva de um tecido e requer um agente fotossensibilizante no tecido-alvo, uma fonte de luz e oxigênio. Estão disponíveis, no momento, o ácido 5-aminolevulínico para tratamento de ceratoses actínicas e o metilaminolevulinato, aprovado para tratamento de ceratoses actínicas, carcinoma basocelular e doença de Bowen. As fontes de luz utilizadas para a terapia fotodinâmica devem emitir comprimentos de onda no espectro de absorção do fotossensibilizante escolhido. As lâmpadas LED (light emitting diode) são as indicadas para terapia fotodinâmica tópica no tratamento do câncer de pele não melanoma. A terapia fotodinâmica deve ser considerada, em particular, para pacientes que apresentam lesões superficiais, múltiplas, disseminadas e para pacientes imunossuprimidos. Mais recentemente, a terapia fotodinâmica tem sido indicada no tratamento do fotoenvelhecimento, acne, hidrosadenite, esclerodermia, psoríase, verrugas, leishmaniose, entre outras. Por este trabalho será possível ter acesso a uma extensa revisão da literatura sobre terapia fotodinâmica, seus mecanismos, indicações e resultados, seguida de comentários e críticas pertinentes ao assunto. Palavras-chave: 5-aminolevulinato sintetase; Fotoquimioterapia; Revisão

Skin lightening (SL) for cosmetic reasons is associated with profound negative impacts on well-being and adverse effects on the skin, resulting in immense challenges for dermatologists. Despite current regulations, lightening agents continue to dominate the cosmetic industry. In this review, our international team of dermatologists tackles the topic of SL as a global public health issue, one of great concern for both women’s health and racial implications. We have examined SL in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and the Americas. We aim to inspire a global discourse on how modern dermatologists can utilize scientific evidence and cultural competency to serve and protect patients of diverse skin types and backgrounds. In doing so, we hope to promote healthy skin and inclusive concepts of beauty in our patients and society.

Há muito o papel do ácido ascórbico (AA) no metabolismo do tecido conjuntivo tem sido reconhecido, sobretudo a partir do século 16, quando o escorbuto começou a ser prevenido com sumo de frutas cítricas. As primeiras publicações referentes ao uso tópico da vitamina C, inicialmente em cobaio, datam da década de 1960. Entretanto, só mais recentemente tem-se dado valor a essa via de aplicação. Os autores apresentam revisão sobre o assunto, discorrendo sobre o histórico da vitamina C, seus efeitos no metabolismo do tecido conjuntivo, no processo de cicatrização, sobre sua atividade antioxidante e mecanismos de ação.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (POS) is one of the most common endocrine abnormalities affecting women of reproductive age. It is a cause of significant social embarrassment and emotional distress. The pathogenesis of the disease is not yet fully understood, but it is thought to be a complex multigenic disorder, including abnormalities in the hypothalamic-pituitary axis, steroidogenesis, and insulin resistance. The main diagnostic findings of the syndrome are: hyperandrogenism, chronic anovulation and polycystic ovarian morphology seen on ultrasound. Hyperandrogenism is generally manifested as hirsutism, acne, seborrhea, androgenic alopecia and, in severe cases, signs of virilization. Treatment may improve the clinical manifestations of excess androgen production, normalize menses and ameliorate metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular complications. This article reviews the diagnosis, clinical manifestations, metabolic complications, and treatment of the syndrome. Early diagnosis and the consequent early treatment may prevent metabolic complications and emotional distress that negatively impact the patients' quality of life.

Skin remodelling induced by MAL-PDT was demonstrated in photodamaged skin. Two sessions of MAL-PDT increases immunohistochemical expression of MMP-9 in the dermis at 3 months after treatment, and also of collagen type I.

The results of this study point to smoking as one of the main factors involved in facial wrinkling. The relationship between smoking and cutaneous ageing is an important element in educational campaigns against tabagism.

Full-facial volume restoration was well sustained over 18 months with high patient satisfaction and good tolerability.