Petkar G, Domun A, Sokeechand N
… +1 more, Hosenally M
Skin Res Technol
· 2025 Aug · PMID 40762218
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BACKGROUND: The assessment of improvements in facial skin features using instrumental measurements is often challenging. This is also true for the assessment of signs of ageing within various populations. For the purpose...BACKGROUND: The assessment of improvements in facial skin features using instrumental measurements is often challenging. This is also true for the assessment of signs of ageing within various populations. For the purpose of clinical studies, there is a need to document the values that could be generated using such instrumental measurement. This paper, thus, investigates the effect of demographic profile and lifestyle on facial elasticity using an elasticity meter on a diverse and multiethnic population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This one-day clinical study involved the participation of 300 participants for demographic profiling and self-reported lifestyle (after consenting). Skin elasticity measurements were taken using an elasticity meter in controlled conditions. Generated data included both absolute and relative parameters. These were tabulated using simple descriptive statistics, by demographic profile and lifestyle. Inferential statistical analyses were applied to assess for significant differences among groups. RESULTS: Benchmark instrumental values are reported in the form of central tendencies and dispersions. Gender, age, phototype, ethnicity, occupation and transportation methods revealed salient differences in terms of skin elasticity. On the other hand, only non-significant trends were noted for other demographic characteristics and lifestyle behaviours investigated. CONCLUSION: The findings propose some benchmark values that could be used to inform the design of future clinical trials. This includes sample size calculations, taking into consideration the panels being studied. There is a need to take into consideration the demographic and lifestyle background of the proposed panel when designing a study aimed at improving facial skin ageing features. These factors may have an influence on the response, thus confounding the study results and conclusions. Future longitudinal studies looking at long-term behavioural influences are required to better understand the dynamics of skin elasticity.
Skin Res Technol
· 2025 Aug · PMID 40747731
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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Melasma is a chronic pigmented lesion on the face that is challenging to treat. Single laser treatments are usually ineffective. Recently, picosecond lasers are becoming an emerging option for...BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Melasma is a chronic pigmented lesion on the face that is challenging to treat. Single laser treatments are usually ineffective. Recently, picosecond lasers are becoming an emerging option for the treatment of melasma. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of fractional and non-fractional picosecond Nd:YAG lasers (PSNL) combined with fractional picosecond KTP laser (PSKL) on melasma in female Chinese. METHODS: Forty-eight Chinese patients with facial melasma were selected and divided into two groups. Every 4 weeks, each patient received one treatment, for a total of six treatments. Treatment was administered to 24 patients using fractional and non-fractional PSNL in the Nd:YAG group and fractional PSKL combined with fractional and non-fractional PSNL in the Nd:YAG+KTP group. Pain scores and adverse reactions were noted following each treatment, and the modified Melasma Area Severity Index (mMASI) and patient satisfaction were assessed 1 month following every two treatments. RESULTS: The mMASI scores of both groups showed a considerable decline from the baseline. Following six treatments, the Nd:YAG+KTP group's mean mMASI score was 2.29 ± 0.82, while the Nd:YAG group was 2.87 ± 0.68. This difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05). At every stage of the procedure, the Nd:YAG+KTP group experienced higher patient satisfaction than the Nd:YAG group. In comparison to the Nd:YAG group, which had a pain score of 2.75 (2.54, 3.00), the Nd:YAG+KTP group had a higher pain score of 3.00 (3.00, 3.17). During the study, no severe side effects were seen in the treated areas, including blisters, hypopigmentation, or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH). CONCLUSION: The efficacy of fractional and non-fractional PSNL combined with fractional PSKL in the treatment of melasma is significantly better than that of using single wavelength fractional and non-fractional PSNL, with higher patient satisfaction and less adverse reactions.
Venturi F, Cedirian S, Veronesi G
… +3 more, Scotti B, Baraldi C, Dika E
Skin Res Technol
· 2025 Jul · PMID 40646672
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BACKGROUND: Studies have found that few lesions clinically diagnosed as seborrheic keratosis (SK) revealed Cutaneous melanoma (CM) on histopathology. When CM mimics SK, they are defined as seborrheic keratosis-like melan...BACKGROUND: Studies have found that few lesions clinically diagnosed as seborrheic keratosis (SK) revealed Cutaneous melanoma (CM) on histopathology. When CM mimics SK, they are defined as seborrheic keratosis-like melanoma (SKLM), and a delayed diagnosis and treatment can occur. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective descriptive, monocentric study of the epidemiological, clinical, videodermoscopy (VDS), and reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) characteristics of histopathologically proven SKLM diagnosed between 2018 and 2024. RESULTS: The study population consisted of 60 patients: 44 males (73.3%) and 16 females (26.7%) with lesions located in 73.3% of cases on the trunk. Concerning histological type, superficial spreading melanoma was the more frequent (86.7%). More than 50% of tumors had a Breslow thickness <0.8 mm. The findings from the VDS examination using the revised Argenziano Seven Point Checklist revealed that 100% of cases presented at least one dermoscopic melanoma-specific criterion and, for this reason, had an indication for surgical excision. Typical RCM patterns associated with melanoma diagnosis were observed, including irregular honeycomb/cobblestone pattern (82.1%), irregular DEJ nests (78.6%), dermal inflammation (53.6%), irregular dermal nests (53.6%), dendritic cells in sheets/tangled lines (50%), and atypical round cells (39.3%). CONCLUSION: Our study provides valuable insights into the dermoscopic, RCM, and histological features of SKLM based on the largest monocentric cohort. The distinctive dermoscopic patterns, along with the confocal features, aid in the differentiation from other pigmented lesions.
Skin Res Technol
· 2025 Jul · PMID 40583047
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BACKGROUND: Transdermal therapeutic systems use substance transport through the skin to provide an active pharmaceutical ingredient. To ensure a reliable supply, adhesion to skin must be guaranteed. In practice in vivo s...BACKGROUND: Transdermal therapeutic systems use substance transport through the skin to provide an active pharmaceutical ingredient. To ensure a reliable supply, adhesion to skin must be guaranteed. In practice in vivo studies as well as in vitro studies on steel (ISO-standard for self-adhesive tapes) are used. As in vitro-in vivo correlation is poor, extensive in vivo studies are applied during industrial product performance tests. Hence, a specialized skin substitute material for in vitro adhesion testing is needed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Synthetic leather (polyurethane), silicone (Dragon Skin), gelatines, and VitroSkin are used as skin substitute materials. For topographical analysis, reflected light microscopy and confocal light microscopy are applied. Infrared spectroscopy is performed for analysis of functional groups. Dermatological skin probe systems are used to analyze friction, surface pH, and elasticity. To bundle all data with regards to skin similarity, mid-level data fusion is applied. RESULTS: For all substitute materials, common topographic characteristics compared to human skin can be observed. However, all materials show limitations regarding their topography. Gelatine and VitroSkin feature comparable surface functionality compared to human skin. All materials show significant deficits in their mechanical properties. All characteristics can be summarized as the Skin Similarity Index to give a comprehensive overview regarding substitutes similarity to skin. CONCLUSIONS: A comprehensive evaluation of topography, chemical functionality, and mechanical properties regarding a skin substitutes similarity to human skin was performed. This data should be considered as a baseline for further research in the field of adhesion to skin. By adding further characteristics and materials, it is a versatile approach that can be implemented in a variety of areas.
Nikoletić ĐC, Ivanov D, Levakov O
… +4 more, Bulajić J, Lukač S, Rakić VK, Ivkov-Simić M
Skin Res Technol
· 2025 Jul · PMID 40583043
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BACKGROUND: There are a limited number of studies describing the impact of the menstrual cycle and postmenopause on the skin barrier function, and existing research data are conflicting. The aim of our research was to in...BACKGROUND: There are a limited number of studies describing the impact of the menstrual cycle and postmenopause on the skin barrier function, and existing research data are conflicting. The aim of our research was to investigate the impact of the menstrual cycle and postmenopause on the epidermal barrier function and its main biophysical parameters-transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and skin hydration (SH). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty-one female participants were included in the study, aged 18-65 years, of which 36 in the reproductive period (average age 27.06 ± 5.60 years) and 45 in postmenopause (average age 56.56 ± 4.37 years). TEWL and SH were measured during the ovulatory and mid-luteal phases in participants in the reproductive period, and on two occasions, 7 days apart, in posmenopausal participants. RESULTS: The mean TEWL value was significantly higher in the mid-luteal phase (TEWL 2; 9.92 ± 1.37) compared to the ovulatory phase (TEWL 1; 8.87 ± 1.59). However, no significant difference in TEWL was observed between the two groups of participants. The mean SH value was significantly higher in the ovulatory phase (SH 1; 40.55 ± 7.80) compared to the mid-luteal phase (SH 2; 36.27 ± 7.42). Moreover, SH in the ovulatory phase was significantly higher in comparison to the postmenopausal group (40.55:36.27; p = 0.009). CONCLUSION: Our study indicates a more functional epidermal barrier during the ovulatory phase, as evidenced by higher TEWL values and lower SH values compared to the mid-luteal phase. However, the differences between the two participant groups remain intriguing, as no significant difference in TEWL was observed between them, despite significantly higher SH values in the ovulatory phase compared to the postmenopausal group.