Welcome to the December 2018 issue of The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology. We begin the issue with a study titled, “A Novel Night Moisturizer Enhances Cutaneous Barrier Function in Dry Skin and Improves Dermatological Outcomes in Rosacea-prone Skin.” The study included two independent, open-label investigations that assessed the safety and efficacy of Cetaphil Redness Control Night Cream (CRNC) for improving electrical capacitance (EC) and transepidermal water loss (TEWL) in healthy subjects with dry skin. In the first investigation (N=20), EC and TEWL were measured at baseline and at two, four, eight, and 24 hours after one application of CRCNC to dry skin; in the second investigation (N=33), an evaluation of once-daily CRCNC application for 22 days using a chromameter, image analysis, and trained rater was performed, with patient evaluations collected at baseline and Days 1, 8, and 22. EC increased significantly at two, four, eight, and 24 hours after CRCNC application. TEWL was reduced significantly at two, four, and eight hours after application. Additionally, improvements in redness were seen at Days 8 and 22.
Next, in a study titled, “Efficacy of Trifecting® Night Cream, a Novel Triple-acting, Skin-brightening Product: A Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Clinical Study,” Jiang et al assess the efficacy and tolerance of a multimodality night cream when used over a course of 24 weeks followed by a four-week regression in female subjects with moderate-to-severe melasma, presence of solar lentigines, and periocular lines and wrinkles. Subjects (N=25), randomized into one of two groups (Cell 1 and Cell 2), used a two-product regimen for 28 weeks. Cell 1 also received Trifecting® Night Cream to use. Using clinical grading, tolerability assessments, and Chroma Meter measurements, the authors measured improvements in both groups, but Cell 1 outperformed Cell 2 in improving fine lines, solar lentigines, and melasma conditions. Limitations of this study included failure of some study parameters to reach the threshold of statistical significance at later time points, small sample size, and discrepancy between patient response to the treatments, which resulted in the mean value for the population continuing to improve, while the standard deviation for the dataset became large. This resulted in no statistical significance when comparisons were made.
Next, Kazemi et al describe a case of subcutaneous sparganosis, a rare parasitic infection caused by the plerocercoid larva of the diphyllobothroid tapeworm, in a 77-year-old woman. The condition presented as several nodular masses in the woman’s right breast.
After this, we include a retrospective study from Pamela titled, “Topical Growth Factors for the Treatment of Facial Photoaging: A Clinical Experience of Eight Cases,” which evaluated the efficacy of topical growth factor after microneedling treatment for the reduction of visual signs of facial photoaging in Fitzpatrick Skin Types III to IV. Here, eight patients applied a gel containing a biosynthetic mixture of epidermal growth factor, fibroblast growth factor, hepatocyte growth factor, and insulin-like growth factor following microneedling treatments every 10 days, with three total treatments. An independent physician evaluator used the Fitzpatrick Wrinkle Scale to evaluate pre- and posttreatment photographs of subjects. According to this evaluation, seven of the eight patients showed an improvement in texture, fine lines, and wrinkles, especially in the periorbital regions. The author notes that a longer study time with a larger number of subjects and a longer-term follow-up is needed to address the limitations of this study.
Next, in an article titled, “Real-world Experience with Volume Augmentation using Cohesive Polydensified Matrix Hyaluronic Acid Gel: A Retrospective, Single-center Analysis of 110 Consecutive Patients with Medium- to Long-term Follow-up,” Vandeputte details a retrospective chart review of patients (N=110) receiving single/multiple injections of cohesive polydensified matrix® HA volumizer CPM-26 between the years 2010 and 2016 at a single-site plastic surgery practice in Belgium. The chart review revealed that the most common sites for volumizing injection were the lateral midface, deep prejowl sulcus, and anterior midface. In addition, 74.9 percent of 81 patients who completed questionnaire data expressed satisfaction with the long-term outcomes of their procedure. Limitations of the study include the single-center, single-investigator, retrospective nature of the study, no defined group or standardized procedure, and participant feedback being provided at variable time points.
Next, Wang and Saedi present a commentary titled, “Risk Management for Private Practice Dermatology Clinics.” The authors discuss managing a variety of risks, including strategic, financial, and operational, and harzards, including property, liability, personnel, and net income.
Finally, the editors of JCAD are pleased to present a new bi-annual column, published each June and December, titled “Emerging Authors in Dermatology” as a means to recognize select medical students, PhD candidates, and other young investigators in the field of dermatology for their efforts in scientific writing. We hope that the publication of their work encourages these and other emerging authors to continue their efforts in seeking new and better methods of diagnosis and treatments for patients in dermatology. For this first installment “Emerging Authors,” Janeczek et al present a review of the efficacy and safety of topical Mahonia aquifolium for the treatment of psoriasis and atopic dermatitis, and Krooks et al present a case of Mycobacterium marinum infection resolved with clarithromycin and ethambutol.
We hope you enjoy this issue of JCAD, and as always we welcome your feedback and submissions.
With regards,
James Q. Del Rosso, DO, FAOCD—Editor-in-Chief, Clinical Dermatology
Wm. Philip Werschler, MD, FAAD, FAACS—Editor-in-Chief, Aesthetic Dermatology
Seemal R. Desai, MD, FAAD— Associate Editor