Introduction: Oral minoxidil is an antihypertensive vasodilator known to stimulate hair growth. The use of low-dose oral minoxidil for the treatment of male androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is receiving increasing attention. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of oral minoxidil for the treatment of male AGA. Methods: This was an open-label, prospective, single-arm study. Thirty men aged 24-59 years with AGA types III vertex to V were treated with oral minoxidil 5 mg once daily for 24 weeks. Efficacy was evaluated by hair counts, hair diameter measurements, photographic assessment, and self-administered questionnaire. The safety of the treatment was closely monitored by means of physical examinations and laboratory investigations. Results: There was a significant increase in total hair counts from baseline at weeks 12 (mean change ? 26, range 182.5-208.5 hairs/ cm 2) and 24 (mean change ? 35.1, range 182.5-217.6 hairs/cm 2) (both p = 0.007). Photographic assessment of the vertex area by an expert panel revealed 100% improvement (score [ ? 1), with 43% of patients showing excellent improvement (score ? 3, 71-100% increase). The frontal area also showed a significant response but less than that of the vertex area. Common side effects were hypertrichosis (93% of patients) and pedal edema (10%). No serious cardiovascular adverse events and abnormal laboratory findings were observed. Conclusion: Oral minoxidil 5 mg once daily effectively increased hair growth in our male patients with AGA and had a good safety profile in healthy subjects. However, oral minoxidil should be used carefully with men who have severe hypertension and increased risk for cardiovascular events.
Lupus panniculitis of the scalp (LPS) is a rare and distinctive clinical feature of lupus erythematosus panniculitis (LEP) with linear alopecia along Blaschko's lines. In this study, we investigated clinical features and treatments of LPS by literature review of articles in the English language from PubMed and SCOPUS databases up to April 2018. The following key words, "lupus panniculitis, "lupus erythematosus panniculitis", "lupus profundus", "head", and "scalp", were used. Twenty cases of LPS were identified (mean age = 26.4 [10-53] years, female: male ratio = 1:1, mean disease duration = 86.89 [8-336] weeks). The most commonly affected areas of scalp included parietal (70%), frontal (45%), temporal (40%), occipital (30%), and vertex (10%), along 70% of Blaschko's lines with morphologic lesions linear, annular, arch-shaped, and ulcer. Besides, ANA (60%) was in particular noted. Hydroxychloroquine, oral prednisolone, intralesional corticosteroid, and methotrexate were the most common treatments, with complete response after an average period of 8.08 (2-12) weeks. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) was developed in four cases (20%) during follow-up, with high recurrence of 35%. We reported distinctive and rare cases of LPS.The continuing follow-up was highly recommended to avoid probable recurrence and SLE development.
Summary
Introduction
Fractional carbon dioxide (FrCO2) laser is effective for atrophic acne scar treatment, but unavoidable downtime. Meanwhile, postoperative topical steroid decreases the downtime, yet still possibly increases other steroid side effects.
Objective
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of moisturizer containing 5% panthenol, madecassoside, and copper‐zinc‐manganese (experimental cream) versus 0.02% Triamcinolone acetonide (TA) cream in decreasing adverse effects and downtime after FrCO2 laser, with wound healing improvement and prevention of certain steroid‐related side effects like postinflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH).
Methods
We conducted a double‐blinded, split face, randomized controlled trial in 20 subjects receiving FrCO2 laser on both sides of the faces and randomly treated with two posttreatment regimens on each side for 7 days. Clinical, expert panel assessment of photography, downtime, side effects, and biometric evaluation for erythema and melanin were performed on baseline, immediately after treatment, day 3, 5, 7, 14, 30 and, 60 postoperatively.
Results
Both experimental cream (EC) and 0.02% TA cream could significantly reduce postlaser downtime including swelling, redness, crusting, and scaling in 5‐7 days, with comparable efficacies in decreasing downtime and adverse reactions, as well as wound healing improvement and lower PIH without statistically significant difference between the two treatments. The incidence of PIH was 60% in the EC treated group with minimal intensity.
Conclusion
The moisturizer with anti‐inflammatory ingredients could be a novel treatment modality for reduction of postablative laser downtime by using nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory agents to avoid adverse effects and improve wound healing process with lower PIH.
Direct replacement of decreased ceramides in the stratum corneum can be efficacious for skin hydration, skin barrier function, and skin pH. Our study aimed to evaluate the 24‐hr, 28‐day, and 7‐day post‐moisturizing efficacy of ceramide‐containing moisturizer in senile xerosis treatment. A split site, double‐blinded, randomized, controlled study was conducted in 24 senile subjects (91.7% females, mean age 54.83 ± 5.45 years) with mild to moderate xerosis, who were randomized to receive ceramide‐containing moisturizer or hydrophilic cream, daily applied on each side of the shin. A single application of ceramide‐containing moisturizer increased skin hydration, while improving transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and skin pH for up to 24 hr, with statistically significant difference. After 28 days of twice‐daily application, more significant improvement on skin hydration, barrier function, and skin pH was observed in those with ceramide‐containing moisturizer at all‐time points. At day 28, there was a statistically significant decrease of hemoglobin index, wrinkle, and texture on the ceramide treated side. The 7‐day post‐moisturizing efficacy on the ceramide treated side was superior for skin hydration, TEWL, skin pH, and wrinkle. Thus, the ceramide‐containing moisturizer can be a novel promising treatment for senile xerosis.
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