Treating Scars: Addressing Surface, Volume, and Movement to Optimize Results: Part 1. Mild Grades of Scarring

Post-acne symptom complex. Approaches to therapy

Postacne-persistent skin changes that appear as a result of long-term acne, inadequate therapy and manipulations performed in the management of this group of patients. The post-acne symptom complex is stable skin changes that appear as a result of long-term acne inadequate therapy and manipulations performed during the management of this group of patients. The pathogenetic mechanisms underlying the launch of acne currently look as follows: androgens cause hyperseborrhea, sebum lipids activate innate immunity; pathological keratinization due to the production of IL-1 inflammatory mediator and androgen hyperproduction; Cutibacterium acnes activate innate immune responses through toll-like receptors and metalloproteinases, stimulate the production of antimicrobial peptides and sebum production. The subsequent rupture of the follicles activates the wound healing process. Depending on the genetically determined features of the course of the inflammatory process, various individual postacne changes of the skin will prevail in different patients. The article highlights the main factors influencing the formation of post-acne, pathogenetic mechanisms underlying the formation of these changes, systematizes modern data on the classification, morphological and pathohistological characteristics of scars. Quantitative and qualitative scales of assessment of post-acne scars for determining the severity of the pathological process are presented, differentiated approaches to modern methods of therapy are discussed in detail, including the advantages and disadvantages of the most common methods of treating patients based on the principles of evidence-based medicine using a number of personalized methods.

Cosmetic results of circumcision and scar wrinkling: Do we exaggerate in terms of hemostasis and sutures?

OBJECTIVE

To objective of this study was to investigate poor scar appearance of the circumcision line and scar wrinkling caused by the sutures placed during the circumcision in primary school age circumcised children.

METHODS

A total of 455 children aged between 6 and 9 years, circumcised by four different specialists in our hospital between 2009 and 2018 were evaluated. Circumcisions performed due to balanitis, phimosis, secondary phimosis, and paraphimosis were excluded from the study. Only routine religious circumcisions performed on request of the family were included in the study. Children underwent a second procedure and those receiving treatment after the circumcision due to infection were excluded from the study. About 363 patients included the study. Patients were evaluated according to the Fitzpatrick skin type classification, independent observer scale, Stony Brook Scar Evaluation Scale, and Dunn-Bonferroni test.

RESULTS

No statistically significant difference was found between distributions of scar wrinkling levels in children according to the circumcision (p > 0.05). There was a statistically significant difference between age of circumcision according to scare wrinkling levels (p = 0.001). According to the Dunn-Bonferroni test; the circumcision age was found to be significantly lower in children with severe scar wrinkling compared to the children with no or mild scar wrinkling (p = 0.001; p = 0.011).

CONCLUSION

The tense, short-interval sutures placed away from the wound margin during circumcision in order to control subcutaneous bleeding lead to scar wrinkling and a poor cosmetic appearance. Knowing the risk factors leading to scar wrinkling and taking appropriate measures will provide acceptable cosmetic outcomes after the circumcision.

Chemical reconstruction of skin scars (CROSS) method for atrophic scars: A comprehensive review

BACKGROUND

Chemical reconstruction of skin scars (CROSS) applies a high strength acid focally to treat atrophic scars. Although this method has gained popularity over the past two decades, no standardized treatment guideline exists for CROSS method in the treatment of atrophic scars.

AIMS

The purpose of this comprehensive review was to evaluate the indications, detailed techniques, efficacy, and safety of CROSS method.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

An extensive literature review was conducted to identify articles relating to CROSS method for atrophic scars from 2002 to 2018.

RESULTS

The literature search yielded 19 articles meeting criteria. CROSS method has been used for the treatment of acne scars, varicella scars, enlarged pores, and depressed surgical scars. In studies using the quantile grading scale for acne scars, 60%-100% of patients showed >25% improvement. In two studies for varicella scars, 83%-100% of patients showed >25% improvement. CROSS method seems to be effective specifically for ice-pick scars. It is well tolerated and safe in Fitzpatrick skin phototypes I-V. Most reported complications are temporary and include postinflammatory dyspigmentation, erythema, pain, pruritus, infection, and widening of scars.

CONCLUSION

This literature review suggests that CROSS method is a safe and effective treatment for atrophic scars, especially ice-pick scars, in skin types I-V. However, current published works have several limitations, including small sample sizes, lack of control group, different concentrations of acid, different frequency of treatments, and follow-up periods. Larger, randomized, controlled studies are needed to elucidate the optimal treatment protocol of CROSS method.