One study detailed the effect of wearing face masks as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic on acne mechanica occurrence
The ‘maskne’ microbiome—pathophysiology and therapeutics
During the COVID-19 pandemic, a new new phrase was coined: ‘maskne’. This term refers to the onset of acne mechanica, which is caused as a direct result of wearing face masks to control the spread worldwide.
It is important to fully understand the underlying pathophysiology that directly relates to the skin microenvironment and the skin friction caused by mask-wearing that causes maskne. Microbiome dysbiosis, which is linked to various dermatological skin conditions, is caused by the occlusive microenvironment. Furthermore, as skin temperatures rise, it can trigger sweat and heat-related dermatoses, and the ear loops may trigger pressure-induced dermatoses.
The authors have noted that the wearing of face coverings can lead to increased skin irritation, exacerbation of chronic dermatoses, perioral dermatitis, rosacea and eczema. Increased discomfort with mask-wearing will be experienced by these patient groups.
The traditional fabric of choice for dermatology patients is cotton; however, according to the authors, it has limited benefits in face mask context, as it can result in increased subjective discomfort due to increased moisture saturation and stickiness because of high biofluid load of the nasal and oral orifices.
In conclusion, prolonged wearing of face masks is directly related to maskne risk.
Socio-economic status and skin cancer incidence: a population-based, cohort study in the province of Ferrara, northern Italy
This study aimed to examine the effect of socio-economic status on the occurrence of skin cancer in the population living in Ferrara, Italy.
The authors conducted a retrospective study with a patient group that was provided by the local cancer registry. The patients included in this study were had squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma or melanoma.
The study was carried out over 8 years and saw a total of 2 859 137 patients diagnosed with 6051 carcinomas and 459 melanomas.
In conclusion, the results showed a standardised incidence ratio with a direct correlation between basal cell carcinoma and socio-economic status. The authors' multivariate analysis also confirmed this for melanoma.
The results also showed an excess of squamous cell carcinoma in the lowest socio-economic status subgroup. This study showed an opposite effect of socio-economic status in squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma occurrence.
A review of cosmetic skin delivery
Cosmetic skin delivery has a significant influence on the action of cosmetics, and, increasingly, many cosmetic manufacturers are now focusing on cosmetic delivery. This brings with it safety issues and the customisation of national laws and regulations.
The authors of this study reviewed the theoretical knowledge about cosmetic skin delivery and its evaluation methods.
To conduct this study, the authors carried out an extensive literature search for transdermal skin delivery in cosmetics articles from 1985 to 2020 using PubMed, Web of Science and other databases.
The importance of skin delivery in cosmetics was outlined and the skin's structure and barrier was discussed, including the delivery pathways that are available for cosmetic molecules.
The laws and regulations from various countries regarding nanomaterials for cosmetics were also noted. Additionally, the in vitro skin absorption test methods for cosmetics were briefly reviewed.
The authors concluded that current methods to enhance and evaluate cosmetic delivery through skin are available, but there are no unified domestic and international laws and regulations about the evaluation of transdermal delivery. This article offers a new perspective on the progress of novel permeation enhancement technologies.
Equity in skin typing: why it's time to replace the Fitzpatrick scale
Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) dermatologists have long advocated for representation of skin of colour in education and workforce diversity.
The authors stated that, for health equity, dermatology clinicians must reconsider the accepted terminology in this field. With an unequal focus on white skin tones and inconsistent use, the Fitzpatrick skin type scale perpetuates skin colour bias.
The authors also stated that the Fitzpatrick skin type scale does not objectively estimate skin pigmentation, and it may incorrectly assess patients regarding risks for skin cancer and from interventions. In conclusion, the authors advise that dermatologists must seek an objective classification system and, given the rise of artificial intelligence, technology-based approaches may be a solution.
The efficacy and safety of botulinum toxin injections in preventing postoperative scars and improving scar quality: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Scars that are visible on the body's surface can result in a great psychological impact on patients.
Botulinum toxin type A is a neurotoxin that is widely in the cosmetic sector, and the aim of this meta-analysis was to assess the efficacy and safety of this neurotoxin in scar management.
The authors looked at randomised controlled trials that were available on PubMed, the Cochrane Library, EMBASE, MEDLINE and Web of Science and evaluated the efficacy of botulinum toxin injections in post-operative scar prevention and improving the quality of scars.
The outcome indicators of the study were the visual analog scale score, Vancouver scar scale score, Stony Brook scar evaluation scales score, scar width, self-assessment results and any complications.
A total of 17 randomised controlled trials with a total of 633 cases were included in this meta-analysis. The results showed that, compared with the control group, the botulinum toxin group had a significantly lower Vancouver scar scale score. Between the two groups, there was no significant difference in the number of adverse events.
In conclusion, the meta-analysis confirmed that botulinum toxin injections can notably improve the cosmetic appearance of scars. At the therapeutic dose, the authors did not observe any significant complications, which suggests that the botulinum toxin injections are safe.