Cosmetic Approach Research Articles

Hybrid versus catheter ablation for Hypertrophic CardioMyopathy with Atrial Fibrillation (HCM-AF): study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

IntroductionAtrial fibrillation (AF) is an independent predictor of adverse outcomes in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Although catheter ablation is highly recommended for general AF populations, it is less effective...

Pilot Clinical Safety and Efficacy Evaluation of a Topical 3% Tranexamic Acid Cream and Serum Protocol for Managing Facial Hyperpigmentation in Caucasian Patients

Facial hyperpigmentation is a highly prevalent dermatological condition, characterized by dark spots on the skin resulting from excess melanin production. Hyperpigmentation significantly impacts patients’ quality of life and self-esteem. Current treatments often present disadvantages linked to poor product tolerability. A topical cosmetic approach combining three lightening active ingredients (tranexamic acid, niacinamide, vitamin C) offers a new option for treating dark spots on the skin. The present in-use test under dermatological control evaluated the clinical safety and efficacy of a cream and serum containing these three ingredients, formulated with hyaluronic acid for enhanced delivery, stability, and efficacy. A total of 22 Caucasian patients with facial hyperpigmentation, both male and female, aged between 45 and 67 years, applied the cream and serum for 8 weeks. Clinical assessments, colorimetric evaluations, standardized photography, and self-assessment questionnaires were used to measure outcomes. No serious adverse effects were recorded, and the incidence of local adverse effects was low, highlighting good tolerability of the investigated test items. In most participants, significant improvements in hyperpigmented areas were recorded. Clinical scoring by the dermatologist investigator indicated a statistically significant 13% reduction in color intensity and a 6% reduction in the size of dark spots after 8 weeks of treatment. Colorimetric evaluation showed a statistically significant 1% increase in luminosity (L* parameter) and an 8% improvement in the Individual Typological Angle (ITA°) in endpoint, indicating lighter skin spots. Subjective assessments reflected high user satisfaction, with 95% of participants noting improvements in skin hydration and luminosity, and 77% reporting a reduced appearance of dark spots. Overall, the present work supports the use of tranexamic acid, niacinamide, and vitamin C as an effective and well-tolerated combined topical management option for hyperpigmentation. This combination offers a viable alternative to classical whiteners for individuals seeking to reduce facial skin coloration imbalance and improve skin tone.

Mentha piperita leaf extract suppresses the release of ATP from epidermal keratinocytes and reduces dermal thinning as well as wrinkle formation.

To achieve a more beautiful and younger appearance, reducing wrinkles is a key concern. The process of wrinkle formation is complex and the development of truly effective cosmetic ingredients to reduce wrinkles remains a challenge. Recent studies have revealed a close relationship between wrinkles and skin thinning, suggesting that preventing skin thinning could also prevent wrinkle formation. In this study, we examined the role of extracellular adenosine triphosphate (eATP) in the progression of thinning, as eATP reportedly increases skin ageing factors, such as senescence-associated secreted phenotype (SASP) factors in epidermal cells. We determined the effects of Mentha piperita leaf extract on suppressing eATP to reduce thinning and wrinkles. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels were measured in normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEK) in the presence of M. piperita leaf extract. Dryness, high pH, and UVB radiation were used as extrinsic ageing factors. Intrinsic skin ageing was evaluated by comparing cells from adults (AD-NHEK) and newborns (NB-NHEK). A placebo-controlled invivo study was carried out with a formulation containing 1% M. piperita leaf extract. The eATP levels were significantly higher in AD-NHEK compared with that in NB-NHEK cells. M. piperita leaf extract significantly decreased eATP levels in adult cells. Extrinsic ageing factors increased eATP levels in NHEK, whereas M. piperita leaf extract significantly suppressed eATP under all conditions. The active components of M. piperita leaf extract, luteolin glucuronide and rosmarinic acid, also decreased eATP. Moreover, compared with placebo lotion, M. piperita leaf extract-formulated lotion markedly increased dermal thickness and reduced wrinkles associated with crow's feet and the neck area. We demonstrated for the first time that M. piperita leaf extract containing rosmarinic acid and luteolin-7-O-glucuronide has the potential to reduce eATP release from epidermal keratinocytes. An increase in eATP was observed not only during inflammation but also during natural ageing. Furthermore, the invivo experiment revealing that 1% M. piperita leaf extract-containing lotion improved dermal thinning and wrinkles across multiple areas is attributed to the amelioration of dermal thinning. Thus, our data suggest the possibility of a novel cosmetic approach for reducing skin ageing by reducing eATP-mediated dermal thinning.

Topical caffeine-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers for enhanced treatment of cellulite: A 32 full factorial design optimization and in vivo evaluation in rats

The goal of this study was the development and evaluation of semisolid caffeine (CAF) loaded nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) for topical treatment of cellulite. CAF-loaded NLC formulations were prepared via high-speed homogenization followed by ultrasonication. A 32 full factorial design was employed for formulation optimization. The total lipid content (%) and the liquid lipid content per total lipids (%) were chosen as factors, whereas particle size (PS), polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential (|ZP|) and viscosity (VIS) were selected as responses. The design suggested CAF-NLC3 as the optimum formulation consisting of a total lipid content of 15% w/w (palmitic acid and soft paraffin/isopropyl myristate, 7:3 w/w) and a surfactant content of 10% w/w (Tween 80/lecithin, 8:1.2 w/w). CAF-NLC3 revealed PS, PDI, ZP, VIS and CAF content values of 318.8 nm, 0.253, −41.1 mV, 18.0 Pa.s and 97.57%, respectively. It showed a pseudoplastic rheological behavior, acceptable pH value (5.25), good spreadability (1.12 mm2/g) and spherical shape employing transmission electron microscopy. Differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction demonstrated the amorphization of CAF in CAF-NLC3. CAF-NLC3 remained stable for 3 months at room and refrigeration conditions. A single topical application of CAF-NLC3 on shaved abdominal skins of Wistar rats revealed enhanced skin retention of CAF by 2-fold and 1.4-fold after 4 h when compared with plain CAF gel (CAF-P) and marketed CAF gel (CAF-M), respectively. Furthermore, CAF-NLC3 exhibited a superior anti-cellulite activity in comparison with CAF-P and CAF-M through elevating extracellular matrix components (collagen 1, elastin and hyaluronic acid) and stimulating the brown adipose tissue thermogenesis via up-regulating UCP1 and PPAR-γ expression. In addition, CAF-NLC3 prominently increased lipolysis through HSL activity and decreased pro-inflammatory cytokines such as ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 after 30 days of treatment on a high fat diet-induced cellulite rat model. These findings were further confirmed by histopathological examination supported by morphometric analysis. Therefore, incorporation of CAF in a semisolid NLC formulation would be a promising cosmetic approach for the topical treatment of cellulite.

A novel cosmetic approach for partial matricectomy in treating ingrown toenails.

Toenails play a great part in protecting toes and peripheral soft tissues, simultaneously playing a cosmetic role. The ideal treatment should result in a functional and aesthetic outcome. To describe a novel, aesthetic and minimally invasive method to treat ingrown toenail. We retrospectively analyzed 436 lesions of 395 ingrown toes in 353 patients with a mean age of 26.0 ± 13.4 (range 10-55) from June 2014 to March 2020 in our department. A novel cosmetic approach for partial matricectomy in treating ingrown toenails was undergone. The average follow-up time was 27.5 ± 2.8 months. The average period prior to work resumption, recurrence rate, and infection rate were measured. Mean pain Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Mean satisfaction VAS were used to evaluate the foot appearance. The average period prior work resumption was 2.2 ± 2.1 days (range, 0-7 days). The recurrence rate was 1.6% (7 lesions in 6 patients) at more than 2 years of follow-up. There was no critical complication except infection (0.46%). Mean pain VAS reduced from a preoperative score of 7.7 ± 1.5 points (range, 6-10 points) to a postoperative 3-day score of 2.2 ± 1.0 points (range, 1-4 points; p < 0.001) while Mean satisfaction VAS improved from 1.5 ± 1.3 points (range, 0-3 points) to 9.2 ± 0.6 points (range, 8-10 points; p < 0.001). Our proposed approach is minimally invasive relative to conventional methods, which can achieve comparable efficacy to treat ingrown toenails with granulation tissue. Therefore, it can serve as another option to treat this specific type of ingrown toenails.

Anterior Matrix Systems for Composite Restorations: A Review.

In the field of restorative dentistry, composite resins have emerged as the most utilized materials. They revolutionized the cosmetic approach to anterior tooth treatment since their introduction to dental practice. In cases where one or more of the tooth's walls are absent, matrices are employed to assist in the creation of the proper anatomic contour and proximal contacts without the occurrence of gingival overhangs. Matrices come in a variety of designs suitable for various therapeutic conditions. Depending on the level of tooth destruction, they might range from a simple metal or plastic strip to a circumferential ring of metal surrounding the entire crown. Although the handling characteristics of modern composites have significantly improved, dentists still encounter challenges with the development of good interproximal contact and proper anatomical contour. The utilization of an anterior matrix system can be paramount in achieving these objectives.

The merging of dual umbilical port-incisions for contained morcellation in laparoscopic myomectomy

Uncontained power morcellation during laparoscopic myomectomy may spread tissue fragments or malignant cells into the abdominal cavity. Recently, various approaches to contained morcellation, have been adopted to retrieve the specimen. However, each of these methods has its own drawbacks. Intraabdominal bag-contained power morcellation adopts a complex isolation system, which prolongs the operation and increases medical costs. Contained manual morcellation via colpotomy or mini-laparotomy increases the trauma and the risk of infection. Contained manual morcellation via umbilical incision during single-port laparoscopic myomectomy may be the most minimally invasive and cosmetic approach. But the popularization of single-port laparoscopy is challenging because of technical difficulties and high costs. We have therefore, developed a surgical technique using 2 umbilical port-incisions (5 mm and 10 mm), which are merged into 1 large umbilical incision (25-30mm) for contained manual morcellation during specimen retrieval, and one 5mm incision in the lower left abdomen for an ancillary instrument. As demonstrated in the video, this technique significantly facilitates surgical manipulation using conventional laparoscopic instruments while still keeping the incisions minimal. It is also economical because the use of an expensive single-port platform and special surgical instruments is avoided. In conclusion, the merging of dual umbilical port-incisions for contained morcellation adds a minimally invasive, cosmetic, and economical option to laparoscopic specimen retrieval that would enrich a gynecologist's skill set, which is particularly relevant in a low-resource settings.

Unfeigning the delusion: Antinatalism and the end of suffering

In this article I explore the antinatalist view according to which it would be better if humans were to stop reproducing in order to contribute to the non-violent and voluntary extinction of the species as a whole. Not only is reproduction morally problematic in an already vastly overpopulated world, it is held that the human predicament can only be solved by slowly, but surely removing human presence altogether. Radical as this might sound, it must be noted that, far from a villainous distaste of human life and happiness, this view emerges from a careful consideration of the vicissitudes of ordinary human existence. In spite of innumerous earlier attempts, suffering cannot be blotted out in life. What is called for, then, is something more conclusive: we can only remove suffering when we get rid of that which suffers. Any other attempt at solving the human predicament ultimately represents a merely cosmetic approach to problem-solving and the eradication of suffering.

An Overview of the Diagnosis and Management of Seborrheic Dermatitis.

Seborrheic dermatitis (SD) is a common chronic inflammatory skin disorder that mostly affects young adults in areas rich in sebaceous glands (scalp, face, and trunk). In adolescents and adults, SD clinical presentation may range from mild patches to diffuse scalp scaling. In infants, it mainly occurs on the scalp as yellowish, scaly patches (“cradle cap”). In adults, several environmental triggers are likely to promote SD development, along with fungal colonization by Malassezia spp., sebaceous gland activity, as well as immunosuppression, endocrine, neurogenic and iatrogenic factors. In children, early occurrence in the first trimester suggests the role of excessive sebaceous gland activity from maternal hormones, along with cutaneous microbiome alterations. The diagnosis of SD is usually clinical, and specific laboratory and/or instrumental investigations are seldom required. Treatment is aimed at modulating sebum production, reducing skin colonization by Malassezia spp., and controlling inflammation. In adults, mild-to-moderate scalp SD forms can be managed with topical antifungals (ketoconazole, ciclopirox, miconazole) or antiinflammatory (mild-to-moderate potency corticosteroids) or keratolytic/humectant (propylene glycol) agents. Recommended topical therapeutic options for mild-to-moderate facial or body areas SD include topical ketoconazole, ciclopirox, clotrimazole, mild-to-moderate potency corticosteroids, lithium succinate/gluconate, and topical calcineurin inihibitors (off-label use). In severe and/or resistant cases, the use of systemic antifungal drugs (terbinafine, itraconazole), as well as UVB phototherapy, may be considered. In children, scant scientific evidence supports the effectiveness and safety of topical drugs, and “cradle cap” is usually successfully managed with baby shampoos enriched with emollient agents and vegetable oils. Alternatively, similarly to adult scalp SD, medical device shampoos with antiinflammatory and antifungal properties, containing piroctone olamine, bisabolol, alyglicera, telmesteine, may be used. Beyond pharmacological treatments, an appropriate cosmetic approach, if correctly prescribed, may improve therapeutic outcomes.

Rehabilitation of the Breached Tooth, Fragment– A Minimal Invasive Cosmetic Approach: An Original Case Series

Tooth fractures are often reported as emergencies in dental practice. Coronal fractures of the anterior teeth are a prevalent cause of dental trauma in children and teenagers. It's a tragic situation that necessitates prompt care and quick functional and esthetic repair. The clinician's main difficulty when dealing with these types of dental injuries is to re-establish the natural esthetics of the traumatized anterior tooth. There are several therapeutic options for this condition, one of which is reattachment of the fractured component itself. Because of its simplicity, natural esthetics, and preservation of tooth structure, reattachment of a tooth fragment should be the first choice and a feasible alternative to conventional approaches. For a successful prognosis, the patient's cooperation and comprehension of the treatment's limitations is essential. This paper presents a report of two clinical cases on managing complicated crown fractures, where the restoration of the fractured anterior teeth using the residual tooth fragment was supported by fiber post system.&#x0D; Keywords: Complicated Crown Fracture, Fiber post, Fractured Tooth Fragment, Internal grooving.

SIGNIFICANCE OF RAKTAMOKSHANA W.S.R TO JALAUKAVACHARANA IN COSMETOLOGY: A REVIEW

From last 2-3 decades’ people have become conscious about their appearances, looks etc for which use cosmetic products and treatments are increasing day by day. In Ayurveda also many treatment protocols and medicaments are told which have long lasting results in cosmetic problems.Raktha mokshan is one such protocol which can be used in any skin diseases and it has cosmetic approach as well. Common cosmetic problems like acne,melasma,alopecia etc will cause lot of mental agony for patients. In rakta mokshana jalouka or leech can be used to give cosmetic effect and to give convincing results. In this regard significance Rakta mokshan wsr to Leech application is studied in full paper.

Preparation and Evaluation of the Effect of Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 Ampoule for Scalp Treatment

Purpose: The topical application of scalp-care cosmetics, infused with functional ingredients, can offer an optimal cosmetic approach to prevent problems associated with aging. In terms of the development of anti-aging cosmetics, we studied the use of acetyl hexapeptide-8 (AH-8) for improving elasticity of the scalp.Methods: Ampoules containing 3% and 5% concentrations of AH-8 as an active ingredient were prepared and their safety and efficacy were evaluated. HaCaT cells were used to evaluate the safety of AH-8 ampoules by measurement of in vitro cytotoxicity. In &lt;i&gt;in vivo&lt;/i&gt; experiments, we tested the AH-8 ampoules by cumulative irritation test (CIT) on healthy adults, 20–50 years of age. Relative expressions of superoxide dismutase 2 (&lt;i&gt;SOD2&lt;/i&gt;), forkhead box O1 (&lt;i&gt;FOXO1&lt;/i&gt;), actinin alpha 1 (&lt;i&gt;ACTN1&lt;/i&gt;), collagen type XVII alpha 1 chain (&lt;i&gt;COL17A1&lt;/i&gt;), and integrin subunit beta 4 (&lt;i&gt;ITGB4&lt;/i&gt;) were assessed using quantitative real-time PCR (Q-PCR).Results: AH-8 ampoules showed significant cytotoxicity to HaCaT cells in a dose-dependent manner. CIT assessment in 30 adults revealed no skin reactions to both 3% and 5% AH-8 ampoules. After treatment of HaCaT cells with the AH-8 ampoules, mRNA levels of &lt;i&gt;SOD2&lt;/i&gt; and &lt;i&gt;FOXO1&lt;/i&gt;, which are directly implicated as antioxidant factors, were increased. Of the factors that improve elasticity, &lt;i&gt;ACTN1&lt;/i&gt; mRNA levels had the greatest increase when treated with the 5% AH-8 ampoules (1.75 µg/mL). Also, the AH-8 ampoules increased mRNA levels of &lt;i&gt;COL17A1&lt;/i&gt;, and &lt;i&gt;ITGB4&lt;/i&gt; in HaCaT cells.Conclusions: In this study, we proved that 3% and 5% AH-8 ampoules are safe for use as a scalp-care cosmetic. AH-8 ampoule had efficacy in anti-aging and improving elasticity of the scalp. This comprehensive test showed that AH-8 can be developed as a cosmetic for anti-aging and improvement of scalp elasticity.

Control Effect of Palmitoyl Teterapeptide-7 Gel to Inflammatory Responses Elicited by PM10

Purpose: As a cosmetic approach to prevent pollution-induced skin damage, the topical application of skincare products, infused with functional ingredients, can offer an optimal solution to skin problems. The study aims to assess the anti-inflammatory effect of PT-7 gel. Methods: This study prepared antipollution cosmetics using palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 (PT-7; 3% PT-7 gel, 5% PT-7 gel) and performed safety testing. For the safety assessment, the human repeat insult patch test (HRIPT) was performed to detect erythema occurrence on the patch area, following the ICDRG criteria. The panels comprised of 30 adults, aged 20–50 years. Furthermore, this study also analyzed particulate matter (PM) 10-induced inflammation on the skin of a hairless mouse by immunohistochemistry and Western blot. Results: The cosmetic safety testing results showed no skin reactions to antipollution gels containing PT- 7. Immunohistochemistry and the Western blot analysis demonstrated reduced levels of IL-1β and IL-6 expression levels in the 3% PT-7 and 5% PT-7 application groups after PM10 treatment. In particular, after PM10 treatment, the IL-1β and IL-6 expression levels were statistically significantly decreased in the group treated with 5% PT-7. Conclusions: Collectedly, this study provided evidence of the PT-7 gel’s safety and found that PT-7 gel reduced the IL-1β and IL-6 expression levels caused by PM10 exposure. In view of these results, it supports that PT-7 is a promising antipollution cosmetic ingredient with great commercial potential.

Natural fruit peels as teeth whitening agents on primary teeth an in vitro study

Context: Dental Bleaching or tooth whitening represents a conservative cosmetic approach even for children and adolescents, for whom treatment may be readily accomplished without permanent alteration to the enamel surface thus limiting the need for lifelong maintenance. Aims: The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of banana peel and orange peel as teeth whitening agents in deciduous dentition. Methods and Material: Twenty extracted primary anterior teeth were used in this study and each crown was sectioned mesiodistally to obtain 40 samples which were flattened to create a standardized enamel surface. After the staining procedure, 40 samples were allocated into 4 groups, i.e., 10 samples per group, the standard group (35% Hydrogen peroxide), the control group (distilled water), banana peel and orange peel. The samples of each group were treated using the respective agents with standardized pressure and time. Results: The tooth shades were assessed using Digital Spectrophotometer at baseline, 1 week of staining, 1 week of bleaching and 1 week post bleaching. All the results were statistically analysed with Post Hoc Tukey’s test. Both the study groups showed significant changes but, banana peel showed better efficacy than orange peel. Conclusions: Banana peel and orange peel can be considered for teeth whitening in deciduous dentition.

A comparative clinical study on the cosmetic approach in Tarunyapidaka vis-a-vis Acne Vulgaris amongst female population through Shodhana Shamana and Lepa

Tarunyapiadaka is one of the Kshudraroga and most common skin disorders. Ayurvedic medicine plays important role in the patients who are in deep depression due to disfiguration of face and Tarunyapidaka in the field of Cosmetiology. In the present study an effort has been made to formulate an effective, economic and simple remedy to help in the total cure and preventing of Tarunyapidaka. In the present study 40 Subjects diagnosed with Tarunyapidaka w.s.r to Acne Vulgaris fulfilling the Inclusion criteria were selected for study and randomly categorized into two groups as Group A and Group B each consisting of 20 subjects from OPD and IPD of department of PG studies in Kayachikitsa department of Ayurveda Mahavidhyalaya, Hubbali have been treated with Amapachana with Guduchi Churna. In group A Sadhyosnehapana with Panchatikta Ghrita. Sarvanga Abhyanga with Elaadi Taila followed by Sarvanga Swedana. And Sneha Virechana was administered with Trivruth Lehya. After Samsarjana Krama, Navaka Kashaya given as a Shamanoushadi along with Manjista with Madhu Lepa. In Group B Sadhyosnehapana with Panchatikta Ghrita. Sarvanga Abhyanga with Elaadi Taila followed by Sarvanga Swedana and Sneha Virechana was administered with Trivruth Lehya. After Samsarjana Krama, Gopanganadi Kashaya given as a Shamanoushadi along with Manjista with Madhu Lepa for 45 days to assess the clinical efficacy of Navaka Kashaya and Gopanganadi Kashaya. Significant changes in Subjective and Objective criteria were observed.

Vampirism and drakulism: A both cosmetic and curative syncretic approach to avoid future COVID-19 contacts

Vampirism and drakulism: A both cosmetic and curative syncretic approach to avoid future COVID-19 contacts

Transbrow Excision Blepharoplasty for Upper Eyelid Dermatochalasis: A Modified Approach.

Many aging women with upper lid dermatochalasis pluck their lower lateral eyebrows to combat lateral drooping. The authors present and evaluate outcomes of a modified excision blepharoplasty method performed using a transbrow excision approach instead of infra/suprabrow access to more efficiently correct upper eyelid dermatochalasis. The authors conducted a retrospective review of 192 patients who underwent transbrow excision blepharoplasty (TBEB) between 2014 and 2019 at the Plastic Surgery Hospital of Beijing in China. The clinical features, complications, and outcomes of patients were reviewed. The Strasser grading system was used to evaluate surgical results postoperatively. Aesthetic improvement was subjectively judged by the patients. All 192 patients (aged 25-72 years old, mean 46 years old) were reviewed and followed up for 6 months to 2 years. Patients were evaluated after 1 week and after at least 6 months. All patients reported an improved aesthetic appearance of the lateral periorbital area, and 174 patients (90.6%) rated their results as satisfactory. No serious complications were related to the procedure. TBEB is used to correct problems that are not adequately managed by conventional excision blepharoplasty. Among 192 patients evaluated over 5 years, excision of the transbrow skin pad sufficiently reduced the redundancy of the upper eyelid and achieved an acceptable appearance of the periorbital area, where the postoperative location of a subtle scar defined a desired youthful brow position. In selected patients, this is an effective and safe method that uses patient-observed features to provide an alternate cosmetic approach.

CRH receptor antagonists from Pulsatilla chinensis prevent CRH-induced premature catagen transition in human hair follicles.

There is a growing interest in the relationship among stress hormones, neuroendocrine signaling, and skin diseases, including hair loss. Previous reports showed that stress hormones inhibit human hair growth and induce early catagen transition. Moreover, a CRH receptor antagonist reversed CRH-induced alopecia in a mouse model, suggesting that antagonization of the CRH receptor is a key clinical strategy to treat stress-induced hair loss. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effect of CRH receptor antagonists from Pulsatilla chinensis on human hair follicles (hHFs) and human dermal papilla cells (hDPCs). hHFs were observed and scored by hair cycle. The levels of cAMP, a second messenger, were measured in each group. In addition, the mRNA and protein levels of factors related to the hair cycle were measured. Furthermore, the expression levels of various members of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway related to stress were measured. CRH induced early catagen transition in an ex vivo hair organ culture model. In addition, CRH downregulated the levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and hair anagen-related cytokines in cultured hDPCs. Moreover, CRH induced the phosphorylation of JNK, c-Jun, p38, ERK, and Akt in cultured hDPCs. CRH receptor antagonists isolated from Pchinensis reversed these CRH-induced modulations in both ex vivo hair follicles (HFs) and cultured hDPCs. These results indicate that Pchinensis effectively blocks CRH receptor function and that saponin derivatives from Pchinensis could be a pharmaceutical and cosmetic approach to treat stress-induced hair loss.

Licochalcone A in Combination with Salicylic Acid as Fluid Based and Hydroxy-Complex 10% Cream for the Treatment of Mild Acne: A Multicenter Prospective Trial.

PurposeTopical cosmetic agents if correctly prescribed and used may improve outcomes in acne therapy. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and tolerability of a new daily cosmetic regimen in the treatment of mild facial acne.Patients and methodsA multicenter, prospective, observational, clinical study was conducted on 91 adult patients with mild acne. Subjects were instructed to apply a fluid containing Licochalcone A/Salicylic acid/L-Carnitine in the morning and a cream with Licochalcone A/Hydroxy-Complex 10% at bedtime for 8 weeks. The efficacy was clinically evaluated by Global Acne Grading System (GAGS) score and by comedones/papules lesions count and by instrumental assessment (SebutapeTMand Reveal Photo Imager/VISIA-CR™ imaging) at baseline, at 4 and 8 weeks.ResultsAt 4 weeks a statistically significant reduction from baseline of GAGSwas observed. In addition, the mean total count of comedones and papules was significantly reduced by 41% and 45%, respectively, from baseline along with a significant reduction of mean sebum of 47%. At 8 weeks, a further statistically significant reduction from baseline of GAGS, total count of comedones and papules (64% and 71%, respectively), along with an additional sebum reduction of about 52% was also recorded.ConclusionOur results suggest that the daily regimen based on Licochalcone A with Salicylic acid/L-Carnitine as fluid or with Hydroxy-Complex 10% as cream represent an interesting cosmetic approach for treating mild acne.

Single-Site Laparoscopy: Expediting the Learning Curve

Video Objective The objective of this video is to understand the advantages and disadvantages of single site versus multiport laparoscopy and identify the key steps to simplify the single site approach. Setting Academic medical center. Interventions Multiple studies have evaluated single-site versus traditional laparoscopy. While there are no differences in conversion rate, estimated blood loss, postoperative pain and length of hospital stay; it has been shown that single site laparoscopy has an increased operating time but is the preferred cosmetic approach. Using the same basic principles of laparoscopy and implementing them into single site laparoscopy, the surgery dynamics can be simplified and expedite the learning curve. This video will demonstrate these techniques of triangulation, visualization, traction-countertraction and purposeful movements. By visualizing this skillset directly, it will be easier to implement the key steps of single site laparoscopy when put into practice. Conclusion Executing this knowledge of simplification and fundamentals, surgeons will be able to avoid the frustrations of single-site laparoscopy so that these skills may be applied to better serve our patients.