فصلنامه پوست و زیبایی
سال دوازدهم شماره 4 (پیاپی 48، زمستان 1400)

The COVID-19 pandemic is still present and we are directly or indirectly affected by it. The skin is one of the organs that has some manifestations not only during the course of the disease, but also long after recovery and also after vaccination. Hair is one of the parts that, like the skin, may show disorders during and after recovery of the infection and also after vaccination. In this issue, we aimed to provide an overview of the effects of COVID-19 and vaccination on hair. We also express the instrumental role of hair in the study of other diseases, including psychological problems.

Although several commercial moisturizers are available in the market, continued role of pharmaceutical compounding have been still felt in dry skin management. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a two urea- based compounded moisturizers on barrier function, compared to similar commercial product. 15 volunteers (14 females and one male) age 36.15 ±9.55 years old (range 21-56 years old) with non-pathologic dry skin, recruited to the study applied 5% urea containing hydrophilic petrolatum and 10% urea containing hydrophilic petrolatum during two following phases.

Upper parts of right and left forearms randomly were assigned for twice a day application of commercial or compounded products. Biophysical assessments including trans epidermal water loss (TEWL), skin hydration, friction co efficient, pH and surface lipids, performed before intervention, 1, 4 after single application and at 24 hours and one week twice daily application. 

In both phases, commercial and compounded moisturizers showed appropriate and comparable effect on skin barrier function compared to the baseline. However commercial products, led to better improvement in TEWL, 4 hours after single application in both phases (P=0.04). The rate of increase in skin hydration was also significantly higher for commercial emollient, compared to compounding product (57.48±11.23 vs. 50.59±11.42, P=0.01).

Commercial formulation led to higher acceptability and better improvement on skin barrier function after single application, probably due to influence of excipients. Present study did not find sufficient added value for pharmacy product relative to commercial one and suggest to be replaced in similar condition.

This study is executed to compare two common reconstructive surgeries in suppurative hidradenitis.

Patients with severe supporutive hidradenitis who had operations to excise their axillary lesions and then treated with two standard surgical repair techniques (lateral thoracic flap vs parascapular pedicle flap) were evaluated in a retrospective cohort study. Assessments included range of motion of shoulder, scar objective measurments, and Dermatology Quality of Life Index questionnaire.  

Mean range of motion in flexion of parascapular flap and lateral thoracic flap were 176 and 175 degrees, respectively. Range of motion in abduction of parascapular flap and lateral thoracic flap were 166 and 147 degrees, respectively which is interesting according to future disabilities. Pigmentation, thickness, pliability and vascularization were objective scar measurements which there were not significant differences between groups. Patients` responses to questionnaire on their satisfaction of surgery did not differ significantly between two groups in any items of questionnaire. But summation of items took lower points in parascapular flap group versus lateral thoracic flap group. 

Despite various reconstructive options in axillary skin defects following suppurative hidradenitis surgery, there is not a generalized agreement on best choice, and each technique has its advantages and disadvantages.

Alterations in barrier function are associated with a number of skin diseases, including xerosis, atopic dermatitis, and psoriasis. Urea, a component of the natural moisturizing factor of the skin, plays an important role in the preservation of skin hydration and integrity. Several studies have investigated the effects of urea in the clinical setting. Here, we summarize the available clinical evidence regarding the effects of urea in the maintenance of healthy skin and management of skin disorders. At lower doses (≤10%),
urea-containing topical formulations act as a skin moisturizer, while at higher concentrations (>10% urea), urea-based preparations exert a keratolytic action. Urea is also useful in combination therapies with anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal drugs, due to its activity as a penetration enhancer.

Khadab is one of the most important solutions used to beautify and strengthen hair, and Khadab has been used for a long time throughout history. Moreover, putting Khadab has been a long- lasting tradition in the course of history. Also, Iranian medical sources pointed out to the herbs used in Khadab and its role in human health. In this regard, the present study examines Khadab and its place in the history of Islamic civilization. This is a desk study which is conducted through reviewing the main sources, Hadiths, and written sources of Iranian medicine. Also, various databases such as Magiran, SID, Google Scholar were searched to reach new findings. What is important in this study is putting Khadab during the course of history for adornment and human health. Moreover, diseases were cured through putting Khadab. Putting Khadab and promoting this act can be effective in improving mental and physical health. Therefore, putting Khadab and its effect on the health of the human body and the herbs used in it need further investigation, as this research can be used to enhance the knowledge of the experts of traditional medicine.

Today, the valuable metabolites of microalgae are widely used in the production of many cosmetic products, as the biomass of algae contains pigments, proteins, essential fatty acids, polysaccharides, vitamins and minerals, all of which are present in both natural foods and cosmetics are used. In fact, these secondary metabolites with anti-blemish and anti-microbial, anti-aging, sunscreen and skin whitening effects can repair and heal the skin and protect the skin from UV damage and prevent inflammation. Existing cosmetics can in many cases be replaced with microalgae-derived cosmetics that are environmentally friendly as well as safe. The effects of microalgae and their derivatives have been tested in various nutritional studies around the world. However, there are very few studies on their cosmetic applications, so in this review article we tried to study several species of microalgae, cultivation methods, use of biomass and bioactive molecules derived from microalgae in the production of anti-aging products, sunscreen and skin whitening in the formulation of cosmetic compounds.

 Tinea incognito is a localized skin infection caused by a fungus. Due to the use of corticosteroids, the shape and severity of the lesion are different from the usual skin manifestations by dermatophytes.

A 39-year-old female with history of erythematous, scaly skin lesions on her hands, buttock, inguinal and both legs for 7 months referred to clinician, who prescribed Calamine-D and hydrocortisone without any treatment and clobetazole was recomended. She self-continued clobetazole. This case highlight the importance of mycological test in case of atypical skin lesions to choose an appropriate treatment and avoiding to spread of drug resistance species.

Regarding to history of patient, the mycological test (Direct Microscopy and culture) was made. In direct microscopy and culture mycelia of dermatophyte species was seen.

In our case steroid discontinued and she was treated with oral terbinafine 250 mg once a day for 4 weeks in combination with topical clotrimazole cream.

the prescription of topical/oral corticosteroids should still be limited and take a caution until confirmation of diagnosis, particularly since the use of steroids during COVID 19.

Leishmaniasis is a neglected disease caused by different Leishmania species and transmitted by various sand flies. Iran is endemic to both visceral and cutaneous form of the diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the epidemiological factors of leishmaniasis in patients referred to the Center for Research and Training Skin Disease and Leprosy from 1399-1400. The present study is a cross-sectional study in which every patient with suspected cutaneous leishmaniasis lesion(s) referred to the center during 1399-1400 were included. The results showed a higher number of patients with leishmaniasis are in the age group of 10 to 19 years. Among the mentioned jobs, a higher percentage was assigned to housewives in the affected women and workers in the affected men. According to the results, autumn is the most common season for cutaneous leishmaniasis. The average time from beginning to the diagnosis of leishmaniasis was 1.5-3 months and most patients showed a history of traveling to rural areas. The number of wet type lesions were higher than dry type and most of the lesions were in the hands. Most cases were reported from Isfahan province.