BackgroundIn acne, several studies report a poor adherence to treatments. We evaluate, in a real-life setting conditions, the impact of compliance to physician’s instructions, recommendations and adherence to the treatments on clinical outcome in patients with mild to moderate acne in an observational, non-interventional prospective study carried out in 72 Dermatologic Services in Spain (ACTUO Trial).MethodsSix-hundred-forty-three subjects were enrolled and 566 patients (88 %) completed the 3 study visits. Study aimed to evaluate the impact of adherence (assessed with ECOB scale) on clinical outcome, as well as how the use of specific adjuvant treatments (facial cleansing, emollient, moisturizing and lenitive specific topical products) influences treatment’s adherence and acne severity (0–5 points score). Recommendation of specific adjuvant skin barrier repair products was made in 85.2 %.ResultsOverall, clinical improvement was observed throughout follow-up visits with an increased proportion of patients who reported reductions of ≥50 % on the total number of lesions (2 months: 25.2 %; 3 months: 57.6 %) and reductions of severity scores (2.5, 2.0 and 1.3 at 1, 2 and 3 months after treatment, respectively). Adherence to treatment was associated with a significant reduction on severity grading, a lower number of lesions and a higher proportion of patients with ≥50 % improvement.ConclusionsGood adherence to medication plus adherence to adjuvants was significantly associated with a higher clinical improvement unlike those that despite adherence with medication had a low adherence to adjuvants. A good adherence to adjuvant treatment was associated with improved adherence and better treatment outcomes in mild to moderate acne patients. (ISRCTN Registry: ISRCTN14257026).

Introduction: Skin exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) can cause oxidative stress, particularly in the absence of adequate protective measures or in individuals with a sensitive skin type. Most commonly, protection from UVR entails the use of topical sunscreens. Sunscreens, however, have various limitations. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of an oral food supplement containing a combination of actives with mainly antioxidative properties (vitamins A, C, D3, E, selenium, lycopene, lutein, as well as green tea, polypodium and grape extracts) in the context of photoprotection.

Introduction: Extrinsic factors, such as solar radiation and urban pollution, cause damage that alters the structure, function and appearance of skin. The aim of this study was to determine the ability of a night cream containing melatonin, carnosine and Helichrysum italicum extract (referred to here as Night Cream) to reduce extrinsic skin damage, and to evaluate the efficacy of this Night Cream to reduce clinical signs of age and photodamage under normal conditions of use. Methods: Recovery from extrinsic damage was assessed by exposing human skin explants to ultraviolet (UV) A, infrared light, blue light or pollution and then treating the stress-exposed explants with Night Cream. Markers of oxidative stress were examined by immunohistochemistry. Anti-aging and calming properties were determined in four single-center, open-label trials involving 117 individuals. Subjects applied Night Cream to their face once nightly for up to 12 weeks. Improvements in clinical signs of age and photodamage, and reduction of lactic acid-induced stinging were evaluated by investigator assessment and subject selfassessment. Results: Night Cream significantly reduced oxidative stress in human skin ex vivo. Clinically, hydration (? 64.4%; p \ 0.05) and transepidermal water loss (TEWL) values (-10.0%; p \ 0.05) were improved within 1 h of use. Wrinkle counts were reduced by up to 18.9% (p \ 0.05), and brown and UV spot numbers by 5.5% (p \ 0.05) and 13.2% (p \ 0.05), respectively. Lactic acid-induced stinging was significantly reduced within 7 days of use, with 86.7% of subjects reporting that their skin felt calmer. Conclusion: These findings suggest that Night Cream reduces skin damage caused by environmental factors and that its nightly use can improve clinical signs of aging with additional skin calming benefits.

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Introduction: Nitric-zinc complex solution (NZCS) is a topically applied solution containing nitric acid, zinc, copper, and organic acids that induce a painless caustic effect on ''difficult-to-treat'' warts, including palmoplantar and periungual locations. The objective of the present prospective clinical study was to describe the efficacy and tolerability of NZCS in the treatment of palmoplantar and periungual warts in children. Methods: Eligible patients were immunocompetent children and adolescents, with at least one palmoplantar or periungual wart. NZCS was topically applied every 2 weeks in clinic. Efficacy was recorded by clinical evaluation, and acceptability assessments were measured using a visual analogue scale (VAS). Results: Pediatric patients (N = 12) were equally distributed by gender, and the mean age was 9.60 ± 3.34 years. The youngest patient was 4 years old. A total of 31 warts were identified: 24 periungual warts (77.4%), 2 palmar warts (6.45%), and 5 plantar warts (16.12%). We observed complete resolution in 83.9% of the warts treated with NZCS, achieving total cure considered as therapy success in 87.5% of periungual warts and 71% of palmoplantar warts, with a mean of 6.0 treatment sessions. The esthetic results evaluated by the investigator were considered excellent in 83.3% of cases and good in 16.7%. In 100% of the completely resolved cases, no scars, erythema, hyperpigmentation, hypopigmentation, or hypertrophy in the area surrounding the treated warts were observed by the investigator. The esthetic results evaluated by the patients or parents/guardians were excellent. Pain and burning sensation were minimal and well tolerated. No clinically relevant adverse events were reported. Conclusion: NZCS was an effective treatment of warts in this pediatric population. The painlessness, simplicity, and twice-monthly dosing regimen of this treatment represents an advantage over standard approaches.