Background: Persistent erythema and severe rosacea flushing can cause significant physical discomfort and emotional stress to patients. Currently, no satisfactory treatments are available. Methods: We report two cases of refractory flushing and erythema of rosacea that were successfully treated with intradermal botulinum toxin injections. Results: Good cosmetic results were achieved for both patients. The side effects during and after treatment were mild pain and localized bruising; these symptoms resolved within several days without further treatment. Conclusion: Intradermal botulinum toxin injection may be an effective treatment for refractory erythema and rosacea flushing that deserves further study in a larger patient population.

Topical glycopyrrolate application appears to be significantly effective and safe in reducing excessive facial perspiration.

PLA provides noninferior efficacy compared with HA 6 months after being used to treat moderate to severe nasolabial folds.

Berberine, an isoquinoline alkaloid, has a wide range of beneficial properties, including anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and cholesterol-lowering effects. Recently findings suggest that berberine improves glucose and lipid metabolism disorders. In the present study, we examined the mechanism underlying the inhibitory effect of berberine on α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH)-stimulated B16F10 melanoma cells. The results showed that berberine attenuated α-MSH induction of the microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) and tyrosinase in a dose-dependent manner. To elucidate the mechanism underlying the inhibitory effect of berberine, we examined the effect of α-MSH-stimulated phosphorylation of PI3K/AKT, ERK, and GSK3β. The results showed that treatment with berberine resulted in a reduction in the phosphorylation of PI3K/AKT, ERK, and GSK3β. Taken together, the results suggested that berberine inhibits melanin synthesis and tyrosinase activity by downregulating the expression of MITF and tyrosinase. Thus, these findings may contribute to the potential application of berberine in the prevention and treatment of skin pigmentation disorders.

Recently, various immunosuppressant drugs have been shown to induce hair growth in normal hair as well as in alopecia areata and androgenic alopecia; however, the responsible mechanism has not yet been fully elucidated. In this study, we investigate the influence of mycophenolate (MPA), an immunosuppressant, on the proliferation of human dermal papilla cells (hDPCs) and on the growth of human hair follicles following catagen induction with interferon (IFN)-γ. IFN-γ was found to reduce β-catenin, an activator of hair follicle growth, and activate glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)-3β, and enhance expression of the Wnt inhibitor DKK-1 and catagen inducer transforming growth factor (TGF)-β2. IFN-γ inhibited expression of ALP and other dermal papillar cells (DPCs) markers such as Axin2, IGF-1, and FGF 7 and 10. MPA increased β-catenin in IFN-γ-treated hDPCs leading to its nuclear accumulation via inhibition of GSK3β and reduction of DKK-1. Furthermore, MPA significantly increased expression of ALP and other DPC marker genes but inhibited expression of TGF-β2. Therefore, we demonstrate for the first time that IFN-γ induces catagen-like changes in hDPCs and in hair follicles via inhibition of Wnt/β-catenin signaling, and that MPA stabilizes β-catenin by inhibiting GSK3β leading to increased β-catenin target gene and DP signature gene expression, which may, in part, counteract IFN-γ-induced catagen in hDPCs.

No abstract

Facial scars can be caused by a traumatic event or indeed surgical procedures. Several treatment modalities have been suggested including surgical or resurfacing techniques, autologous fat transfer, and injection of fillers. However, these approaches have varying degrees of success and associated side effects. We report two Korean patients with traumatic scars. Both patients received combined consecutive treatment with 595-nm pulsed dye laser (PDL) and 1550-nm erbium-glass fractional laser. Both patients showed remarkable clinical improvements after a course of sessions. Therefore, simultaneous combined treatment with PDL and fractional laser may be considered a reasonable therapeutic option for traumatic facial scars.

Neck wrinkles commonly develop owing to the aging process. However, recently, the number of patients with neck wrinkles has been increasing. Also, an increasing number of young patients have presented with this condition, possibly because of the effect of the head-down posture that they adopt when using their computer or smartphone. We report two cases of young adults with a prominent neck wrinkle. In case 1, a 29-year-old woman with a neck wrinkle was treated with six intradermal radiofrequency (RF) procedures. Her neck wrinkle was significantly improved with the RF treatment. In case 2, a 32-year-old woman with a wrinkle and generalized light brownish tiny papules on the neck was treated with three intradermal RF procedures simultaneously with 30% glycolic acid peeling. Her wrinkle and skin tone were improved dramatically. We conclude that intradermal RF has a considerable efficacy for reducing neck wrinkles.