Dear Colleagues:
Welcome to the June 2018 issue of The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology (JCAD). We lead this issue with a review by Klingbeil and Fertig titled “Eyebrow and Eyelash Hair Transplantation: A Systematic Review.” Here the authors investigated the etiologies of hair loss of the eyebrow and eyelash that required hair transplantation, as well as the optimal surgical technique, patient outcomes, and common complications. The authors found that most eyebrow and eyelash transplant patients reported in the literature were women with an average age of 29 years; burn injuries were the most common reasons for hair transplantation, and the most commonly used transplantation method was follicular unit technique.
Next, in a case study by Sano et al titled “Distensibility and Gross Elasticity of the Skin at Various Body Sites and Association with Pathological Scarring: A Case Study,” the authors measured the skin of various body regions of five healthy adult volunteers to determine distensibility and elasticity. The authors proposed that greater knowledge regarding characteristics of skin at various body areas might improve skin incision and flap design techniques, aid in preventing the formation of cutaneous scars, and shed light on the causes and progression of pathological scars. The authors report that, for the most part, hard skin and regions of skin with poor distensibility did not appear to be prone to pathological scarring and that this information could be useful for dermatology surgeons.
Next, Awosika et al present the results of their study titled “A Case-control Study to Evaluate the Prevalence of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) Among Patients with Moderate-to-severe Psoriasis.” Here, the authors sought to establish an association between psoriasis and NAFLD among patients who presented to an outpatient dermatology clinic. The authors diagnosed NAFLD by ultrasonography after excluding secondary causes of liver disease and then assessed the associations between NAFLD and psoriasis and between NAFLD and components of metabolic syndrome. The authors reportedly found that NAFLD was more prevalent in patients with psoriasis, though psoriasis was not associated with NAFLD when matched for age, sex, and body mass index (BMI). Among patients with psoriasis, those with NAFLD were more likely to have obesity as well as select components of metabolic syndrome, including hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia.
Following this, in a review article by Bravo et al titled, “Use of Hyaluronic Acid Fillers to Correct Scleral Show: A Review of Technique,” the authors present their clinic’s technique of using hyaluronic acid for the treatment of scleral show. The authors report that use of hyaluronic acid in the described manner is quick, noninvasive, and safe.
Next, in the article, “An Open-label, Single-center, Prospective Evaluation of a Novel Noninvasive Ultrasound Body Sculpting Device,” Dhillon et al evaluated the safety and the efficacy of an ultrasound device developed for noninvasive body contouring. Twenty adult patients with subcutaneous target region adipose fat thickness greater than 2.5cm were treated once with the device, and results were assessed by physicians and participants at Months 1, 2, and 3 post-treatment. Physician-based assessments classified 89.5 percent of subjects as “improved” within three months of treatment, and 89.5 percent of patients indicated their conditions to be either improved or much improved within this same time period. The authors concluded that the study device appears safe and effective in achieving noninvasive body contouring.
Following this, Jiang et al present their study, “Efficacy and Tolerability of an Acne Treatment Regimen with Antiaging Benefits in Adult Women: A Pilot Study.” Here, researchers assessed the clinical safety and efficacy of a novel acne treatment regimen in adult women with mild-to-moderate acne. Participants were treated twice daily with the study regimen (cleanser, acne cream, and rebalancing gel) for eight weeks. The authors reported that statistically significant clinical improvements were seen in both acne and aging parameters over time and that the regimen was well tolerated by the study subjects.
We hope you enjoy this issue of JCAD. As always, we welcome your submissions and feedback.
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