Joon Hong Min

Efficacy and safety of a novel picosecond laser using combination of 1 064 and 595 nm on patients with melasma: A prospective, randomized, multicenter, split-face, 2% hydroquinone cream-controlled clinical trial

Melasma is a common acquired, chronic hypermelanosis and still remains a therapeutic challenge. The low‐fluence 1 064 nm Q‐switched Nd:YAG laser is the most widely used for the treatment of moderate to severe melasma in Asia. Recently, the picosecond laser has been introduced for various pigmentary disorders such as melasma. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of a picosecond laser with dual‐wavelengths (1 064 and 595 nm) and topical 2% hydroquinone (HQ) combination therapy on patients with melasma, and compared results with those obtained with 2% HQ alone.

Cutaneous pili migrans.

Dear Editor: Cutaneous pili migrans is a rare skin condition in which a hair shaft or fragment is embedded in the superficial skin. It is characterized by a creeping eruption with black-line like hair mimicking cutaneous larva migrans1. Removal of the black hair shaft heals the lesion completely2,3. Herein, we report a case of cutaneous pili migrans with the clinical and histopathological findings. A 46-year-old Korean man presented with a 3-week history of asymptomatic linear eruption along the crease of the neck. A thin black, thread-like line resembling a hair shaft was embedded below the epidermis. He had no suspicious history such as trauma. A punch biopsy was taken from the edge of the eruption, and a small incision was made at the other end. The black line was easily extracted, and it was found to be a hair shaft (Fig. 1). Histopathological examination revealed a cross-sectioned hair fragment in a tiny empty space in the superficial dermis (Fig. 2). A diagnosis of cutaneous pili migrans was made. After the burrowing hair shaft was removed, the eruption diminished immediately. At 4 months after the procedure, the patient recovered without any signs of recurrence. Fig. 1 (A) A slightly raised, linear, black eruption on the neck. (B) The black line was easily removed by making a shallow incision on the skin, and it was demonstrated to be a hair shaft

A Case of Perifollicular Fibroma

Perifollicular fibroma (PFF) is a very rare proliferative lesion of the perifollicular sheath. A flesh-colored, dome-shaped papulonodule is usually located on the face or the neck. These papulonodules may be single or multiple. Histologically, the lesion consists of a concentric arrangement of cellular fibrous tissue around a normal hair follicle. We describe here an unusual case of PFF in a 41-year-old female who had an asymptomatic small skin colored papule on the scalp, and this is an uncommon location for PFF.

Topical tacrolimus for the treatment of atopic dermatitis with truncal lesion

Background Topical tacrolimus is an effective anti-inflammatory therapy for acute and chronic states of atopic dermatitis (AD) in both adults and children. Topical tacrolimus has particular use at sensitive areas such as the face, anogenitals, and skin folds of neck and extremities. However, many AD patients also experience aggravated symptoms on trunk. Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of topical tacrolimus for AD patients with truncal lesions. Methods AD patients with truncal lesions who were aged ≥2 years were recruited from 20 centres in Korea. They received treatment with topical tacrolimus ointment twice daily during 4 weeks. The primary end point was change of the local eczema area and severity index (EASI) of the trunk from baseline to day 28. The secondary end points were changes in the patient global assessment (PGA) score and itch visual analogue scale (VAS) score of the trunk between baseline and day 28. Results Two hundred and ninety-one patients were recruited, and 176 patients completed the full 4-week treatment course. By the end of the treatment, the mean local EASI of the trunk (2.2±4.71) was significantly decreased from that at baseline (4.71±4.03, p<0.001). PGA (1.71±1.15) and itch VAS score of the trunk (2.61±2.19) on day 28 were also profoundly decreased compared with the baseline (2.96±1.07 and 5.15±2.47, respectively). No serious adverse events were observed during the study period. Conclusion Topical tacrolimus is an effective and safe therapy for truncal lesions in AD patients.

A clinical study on the usefulness of autologous plasma filler in the treatment of nasolabial fold wrinkles

ABSTRACT Background: Recently, the efficacy of autologous plasma filler for the reduction of facial wrinkles has been demonstrated. Objective: The aim of our study is to validate the efficacy and safety of autologous plasma filler in treating nasolabial fold wrinkles. Material and methods: Twenty Korean patients with moderate-to-severe nasolabial fold wrinkles were enrolled. The patients were treated with one session of autologous plasma filler. The wrinkle improvement effects were evaluated at 1-week, 4-week, 8-week, and 12-week after the treatment. Three assessment methods were applied. First, two independent dermatologists assessed cosmetic results using a 5-point wrinkle assessment scale. Second, global aesthetic improvement score was used for assessment of the final cosmetic results. Third, patient satisfaction was surveyed. Also, the adverse effects associated to treatment were observed. Results: Mean age of the patients was 44.5 years. The average 5-point wrinkle assessment scale score was significantly improved at 1, 4, 8, and 12 weeks after treatment, comparing to before treatment (p < 0.01). The patients’ average global aesthetic improvement score also indicated better cosmetic outcomes. Conclusion: The clinical improvement with sufficient patients’ satisfaction and no significant adverse events demonstrated that novel autologous plasma filler could be considered as efficient and safety treatment option for nasolabial fold wrinkles.