Dermatologic surgery : official publication for American Society for Dermatologic Surgery [et al.]
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Single-center, double-blind, randomized study to evaluate the efficacy of 4% lidocaine cream versus vehicle cream during botulinum toxin type A treatments.
Botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) injections are overwhelmingly safe and effective treatment in cosmetic treatment, but some patients are apprehensive about pain associated with injection. ⋯ Lidocaine 4% cream is effective in reducing the pain associated with BTX-A injection for crow's feet. We encourage further study to clarify the optimal use of topical anesthetics in the practice of cosmetic dermatology.
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Comparative Study
Prospective, comparative evaluation of three laser systems used individually and in combination for axillary hair removal.
Using the concept of selective photothermolysis, a variety of laser systems have been developed to remove unwanted hair. ⋯ At the 3-month follow-up, the long-pulse alexandrite and 810 nm diode lasers demonstrated no statistically significant differences in efficacy, comparable efficacy and tolerability, and highest subject satisfaction. Rotational therapy with the three laser systems is not as effective as treatment with the alexandrite laser or diode laser alone but is statistically more effective than use of the long-pulse Nd:YAG system alone. Individuals with red or light-colored hair and Fitzpatrick phototype II skin have decreased efficacy of laser treatment than those with dark-colored hair and the same phototype.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Enhanced cosmetic outcome with running horizontal mattress sutures.
Cutaneous sutures should provide good wound eversion, firm closure, and cosmetically elegant results. Simple running sutures are commonly employed in cutaneous surgery but may not always be effective in achieving wound eversion. ⋯ In primary closures of the face, the running horizontal mattress suture is a cosmetically elegant alternative to a traditional running cutaneous suture. The final scar appears smoother and flatter than those produced by traditional simple running sutures.
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Patient safety regulations and medical error reporting systems have been at the forefront of current health care legislature. In 2000, Florida mandated that all physicians report, to a central collecting agency, all adverse events occurring in an office setting. ⋯ Requiring physician board certification, physician hospital privileges, or office accreditation is not likely to reduce office adverse events. Restrictions on dilute local (tumescent) anesthesia for liposuction would not reduce adverse events and could increase adverse events if patients are shifted to riskier approaches. State and/or national legislation establishing adverse event reporting systems should be supported and should require the reporting of delayed deaths.
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Chromhidrosis is an uncommon disorder characterized by secretion of colored sweat by apocrine glands, typically localized to the face or axilla. The current treatments available for chromhidrosis are time consuming and frequently ineffective. ⋯ This report demonstrates a new therapeutic approach to patients suffering from chromhidrosis.