Ablative Fractional CO2 Laser may be a Novel Treatment for Tattoo Allergic Reaction

A 47 year-old woman presented with eight-month history of tattoo allergic reaction of eyebrows after botulinum toxin A injection that was resistant to oral, topical and intralesional injection of corticosteroids. Multiple sessions of treatment with CO2 fractional laser resulted in significant flattening of allergic papules and plaques as well as reduction of tattoo pigmentatio

Droplet Microfluidics with Ionic Liquids for Chemical Analysis and Separations

Ph.DDOCTOR OF PHILOSOPH

Evaluation of Efficacy of Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) System in the Treatment of Facial Acne Vulgaris:Comparision of Different Pulse Durations; A Pilot Study

INTRODUCTION: Adequate control of acne is difficult, regardless of the various conventional modalities. Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) system is one of the emerging options that are become increasingly useful.METHODS: To achieve the best IPL parameters we evaluated the efficacy and tolerability of IPL at 752-nm wavelength, 35 j/cm2 fluence, 55-ms pulse duration in comparison with 572-nm wavelength, 35 j/cm2 fluence, 101-ms pulse duration, in a 5 week, controlled, double-blind, split-face clinical trial. Final assessment was made by comparison of the changes in inflammatory and non-inflammatory acne lesions count and the Acne Global Severity Scale (AGSS) between two groups, based on standardized photography.RESULT: Fifteen female patients, with mean age of 23.53±2.47 years (range 20-28) completed the 5-week therapy period. For both therapies, significant reductions (approximately 30%) in the comedone and inflammatory lesions count were observed (p=0.0024). There was no significant difference in the efficacy of the two treatments in reducing the percentage of comedone and inflammatory lesions count from baseline to 5th week (p=0.76 and p=0.61, respectively). Based on acne global severity scale (AGSS), no significant difference in the severity of acne lesions of the two treatments was observed at 5th-week visit (p=0.26).CONCLUSION: Considering the lack of significant difference between the two treatments and since greater risks are associated with lower pulse duration, the use of longer pulse durations is recommended, especially in darker skin phenotype. Further studies with larger number of patients are required to fully comparison of efficacy of these parameters in IPL systems for acne vulgaris

Does Pimecrolimus Cream Enhance the Effect of Excimer Laser on Eyelid Vitiligo?

INTRODUCTION: Vitiligo is a cutaneous disorder of pigmentation, for which, there are some proven modalities of treatment. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of the addition of topical pimecrolimus to 308nm Excimer laser in reducing treatment duration and improving the response rate of eyelid vitiligo, compared with 308nm Excimer laser monotherapy.METHODS: Fifty two symmetrically localized lesions of eyelid vitiligo in 26 patients were observed. Each of vitiliginous patches was treated with 308nm Excimer laser twice a week for a total of 30 sessions. Topical pimecrolimus 1% cream was applied to the patches of right eyelid(group A lesions) and eucerine cream as a placebo to the left side patches(group B lesions)twice daily, throughout the study. Photographs were taken at baseline, 6 and 15 weeks after starting the treatment.RESULTS: Twenty two patients (44 lesions) completed the study. Repigmentation was appeared in all (100%) of groups A and B lesions. A 75% or more repigmentation was achieved in 17(78%) of group A versus 14 (64%) of group B lesions. The average number of sessions needed for the appearance of repigmentation was 8 for group A lesions and 12 for group. The repigmentaion of 50% or more in patients with disease duration of 2 years or less and those with more than 2 years duration ere 100% and 59.2%, respectively.CONCLUSION: Repigmentation rate obtained by the combination therapy of eyelid vitiligo with 308nm Excimer laser and topical Pimecrolimus 1%cream is significantly higher, and obtained in fewer sessions in comparison with 308nm Excimer laser and placebo combination therapy.

The Efficacy of IPL in Periorbital Skin Rejuvenation: An Open-Label Study

Introduction: Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) is one of the effective methods used to treat the signs of facial aging. However, its efficacy in improving the appearance of periorbital wrinkles has always been evaluated in the context of whole-face rejuvenation and not studied in its own right. Therefore, in this study we sought to examine the effectiveness and side effects of IPL in periorbital skin rejuvenation.Methods: In this uncontrolled, open-label clinical trial, 38 patients referred to the Behrooz professional skin clinic for signs of periorbital skin aging were recruited. Patients underwent three treatment sessions with IPL, at one-month intervals, and were evaluated for treatment side effects after each session. Six months after the final IPL session, patients were examined to assess the level of symptom improvement. Patients were photographed at each treatment session and at the six-month follow-up visit. Before and after patient images were evaluated by two dermatologists unaffiliated with the study to determine the extent of improvement in the appearance of wrinkles and skin texture.Results: Six months post-treatment, excellent improvement was observed in 3 patients (9.1%), considerable improvement in 7 patients (21.2%), moderate improvement in 9 patients (27.3%), mild improvement in 9 patients (27.3%) and finally little or no improvement was observed in 5 patients (15.1%). Comparison of improvement scores based on Fitzpatrick skin phenotype did not show significant differences (p=0.674). 4 patients (12.1%) were dissatisfied with the treatment whilst 17 patients (51.5%) reported moderate to considerable satisfaction with IPL rejuvenation.Conclusion: During whole face rejuvenation, IPL can be used to improve periorbital skin aging.

Assessment of safety in drinking water supply system of Birjand city using World Health Organization’s water safety plan

Background: The conventional method for managing drinking water quality is not a suitable preventive strategy for protecting public health. A water safety plan (WSP) presents a systematic approach to ensuring the health and quality of drinking water. This study assessed the drinking water supply system safety of Birjand city using the WHO’s WSP. Methods: This investigation employed the WSP-QA Tool and the WSP manual of the WHO and the AWI. For this purpose, software checklists were prepared and, after confirmation of content and face validity, completed based on Birjand’s water and wastewater company records and interview with company’s experts. Data was analyzed using WSP-QA Tool. Results: From total possible 440 points for full use of the program and 328 points of the studied phases, a score of 190 was acquired, indicating a 43.18% coordinated implementation with WSP. System description and management procedures showed the maximum and minimum percentages of congruency with the WSP of 87.5% and 25%, respectively. Among the components of the water supply system, water resource had the most attention. Conclusion: As regards the percentage of overall WSP-phase implementation and the low attention given to some key parameters of the water supply system, such as risk assessment and management procedures, the system currently enjoys a relatively medium level of safety. However, the high points of some phases such as system description, operational monitoring and verification enhance the system’s flexibility for changing the current approach of qualitative management to the WSP. Keywords: Drinking water, Safety, Water supply, Risk assessment, Softwar

Nonablative Fractional Laser Resurfacing

The desire to achieve cosmetic rejuvenation and reduce effects of aging and photodamage urged scientists to develop effectual techniques which have minimal side effects and impressive long-term efficacy. Traditional ablative resurfacing laser therapy has been used for several years;however, it has harmful side effects on the patient’s skin such as dyspigmentation, persistent erythema, infections, acneiform eruptions and scarring. It also prolongs downtime, so it puts a significant burden on society. Nonablative resurfacing laser therapy declines side effects of traditional therapies, although it has lower effectiveness in comparison with ablative one.Nonablative fractional resurfacing laser therapy commenced a modern technique which diminished side effects, while maintains the efficacy of traditional methods. The aim of of this current review is to sum up nonablative fractional laser therapies used for skin photorejuvenation at the past and present time and to evaluate the indications,advantages and classification of it and non-fractional resurfacing laser therap

The Use of Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) for the Treatment of Vascular Lesions

 According to the English literature, various lasers and light sources (i,g. argon ion lasers, pulsed KTP lasers, diode lasers and Nd:YAG lasers, pulsed dye laser(PDL), intense pulsed light sources (IPLS) are applicable for the treatment of different vascular lesions. These conditions are the most important indication for laser therapy. This review summarizes the current literature on IPL with regard to the treatment of vascular lesion