Archive for November, 2009
Based on an extensive review of the highest quality scientific literature on psoriasis and the opinion of recognized psoriasis experts, the American Academy of Dermatology (Academy) has released new guidelines of care for the management and treatment of psoriasis with ultraviolet (UV) light therapy, also known as phototherapy. Recommendations for the use of the most [...]
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As our outermost layer, our skin speaks volumes about our health, and is an outward sign of what’s going on in our bodies and minds. So, in order to maintain and preserve the health of your skin, you may need to monitor more than just what you put on it.
“Everything we consume and all that [...]
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Every woman likes to be the center of attention, to be careful with the way she looks and the accessories she wears, the way she styles her hair or wears her makeup.
Regardless the style and the chosen colors there are rules that have to be followed, in order to have a well [...]
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Experts say that consuming white wine frequently can damage your teeth, which many wine makers and tasters are aware of.
According to Nutritional Research reports, pale plonk packs an acidic punch that erodes enamel far more than red wine.
Teeth damage is due to pH and duration of contact with the teeth, but not due to wine’s [...]
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J Cosmet Dermatol. 2009 Sep; 8(3): 181-5
Herane MI, Fuenzalida H, Zegpi E, De Pablo C, Espadas MJ, Trullás C, Mirada A, Martin GG
BACKGROUND: Hydrating and emollient products are often recommended to patients under isotretinoin therapy to control the most frequent mucocutaneous side effects and to improve adherence to treatment. AIMS: To assess, using noninvasive biophysical tests, the clinical and instrumental effectiveness of a hydrating gel-cream compared with placebo as an adjuvant to isotretinoin for treatment of facial skin in patients with inflammatory acne. METHODS: Prospective, double-blind, randomized study, using MULTI SKIN MC750, on the adjuvant effect of a hydrating gel-cream for acne (active product) vs. a gel-cream without active substances (placebo). Follow-up lasted 3 months. RESULTS: Sixty-six patients were included. Thirty-four were administered the active product, and 32 placebo. Though the number of lesions fell significantly in both groups, the mean number of papules on day 30 was significantly lower in the active product group. The active product group showed a significant increase in hydration, while the placebo group showed a significant increase in transepidermal water loss (TEWL). Seborrhoea decreased significantly in both groups; there were no differences between them. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with placebo, the specific gel-cream with active products as an adjuvant to oral isotretinoin improved hydration, prevented TEWL increase, and reduced inflammatory acne lesions after 30 days.
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J Cosmet Dermatol. 2009 Sep; 8(3): 228-33
Kaczvinsky JR, Griffiths CE, Schnicker MS, Li J
BACKGROUND: The periorbital area is a key wrinkle-prone region, where the first signs of aging usually appear. AIMS: To demonstrate the ability of new anti-aging moisturizing products to improve overall smoothness and wrinkle depth appearance in the periorbital region via the Fast Optical in vivo Topometry of Human Skin (FOITS). METHODS: Two double-blind, randomized, controlled, split-face studies (n = 42, Study 1; n = 35, Study 2) were conducted in women 30-70 years old with moderate to distinct periorbital wrinkles. Subjects applied 0.5 g of individual products to half their face twice daily for 4 weeks. Four test products containing niacinamide, the peptides Pal-KT and Pal-KTTKS, and carnosine were used and included a daytime SPF 30 lotion also containing antioxidants, a night cream, an eye cream also containing caffeine, and a wrinkle treatment containing retinyl propionate. The wrinkle treatment was only tested in Study 2. The FOITS technique was used to measure changes in periorbital R(a) (mean roughness) and R(z) (average maximum roughness) at 2 and 4 weeks. RESULTS: In Study 1, the daytime SPF 30 lotion, night cream, and eye cream significantly improved crow’s feet smoothness after 4 weeks relative to no treatment. After 4 weeks, the daytime SPF 30 lotion and night cream, but not the eye cream, were significantly better than no treatment at improving R(z). In Study 2, the night cream, eye cream, and wrinkle treatment, but not the daytime SPF 30 lotion, significantly improved both R(a) and R(z) after 4 weeks. To increase power and precision of estimates, a meta-analysis was performed; the pooled data showed all three products were significantly better than no treatment at improving R(a) and R(z) after 4 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: Four weeks of treatment with these products was shown to improve the smoothness of periorbital skin and to reduce the apparent depth of larger wrinkles.
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J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2009 Nov; 23(11): 1298-303
Corazza M, Borghi A, Lauriola MM, Virgili A
BACKGROUND: Although topical remedies and cosmetics based on herbal ingredients are becoming increasingly popular with the public due to the perception that botanical compounds are safer and healthier than their synthetic counterparts, a large number of adverse cutaneous effects of plant extracts, notably contact sensitization, have been reported in medical literature. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of herbal compound usage in a dermatological out-patient population and to estimate the incidence of consequent cutaneous side-effects. METHODS: Four hundred patients were subjected to a self-administered 15-item questionnaire to assess both prevalence and type of topical botanical preparations used and occurrence of skin adverse reactions. RESULTS: Two hundred forty-one patients (60.25%) reported use of natural topical products, predominantly aloe, marigold, chamomile, propolis and arnica. Females used herbal products, for both medicinal and cosmetic purposes, more frequently than males. Fifteen patients (6.22%) referred one or more adverse cutaneous reactions. CONCLUSION: Herbal preparations were widely used in the examined population, but, despite the common belief in the innocuous nature of botanical extracts, the incidence of side-effects referred by the patients confirms that they should be regarded as a potential source of adverse skin events. The lack of adequate patch testing in case of suspected contact allergic dermatitis, incomplete or misleading product labelling, and the risk of chemical adulteration may represent further concerns as regards application of botanical products.
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