Introduction: Striae are frequent complaints in dermatology, however most studies are based on the use of laser, and the effects of other treatment modalities are observed by few doctors. ,Objective: To compare three therapeutic modalities: Subcision alone, trichloroacetic acid (TCA) 20% alone, and subcision combined with application of TCA 20% in treatment of striae. Materials and Methods: Eleven female patients, skin phototype II-IV with striae gravidarum, had their lower abdomen divided into 4 quadrants. One stria of each quadrant was selected to be subjected to one of 3 procedures and 1 quadrant was the control. Objective evaluation was performed by the physician and subjective evaluation was performed by the patient. Results: Reduction in width with subcision and in length with TCA 20% were observed by measurement. In the subjective evaluation, improvement was observed mainly with the subcision-TCA 20% treatment. Photografic evaluation was disregarded. At statistical analysis, there was no significant difference between treatments. There were no adverse effects related to treatments. Conclusion: Despite the reported improvement, especially with the subcision-TCA 20% treatment, there was no statistically signifi cant difference between treatments.

Keywords: STIRAE, TRICHLOROACETIC ACID, PREGNANCY, DERMATOLOGY

Introduction: During the last four decades, dermatology has evolved from a purely clinic into a clinical-surgical specialty. In addition to diagnosing conditions and conducting clinical therapies, dermatologists began performing surgical treatments of cutaneous affections and neoplasias, corrections of scars, and cosmetic cutaneous procedures. Objective: To describe the change in types of procedures performed at the Dermatology Service of the Clinical Hospital of the Federal University of Paraná during the period studied. Material and methods: A systematic review of the Dermatology Service’s proprietary registers, and of additional data supplied by the hospital''''''''s Statistics and Planning System, was carried out for the period ranging from 2002 to 2007. Results: A relative increase of 16% in the number of surgical procedures has been verified in the study period, with an increase in the complexity of the procedures – with the ratio of excisions of benign lesions/ malignant tumors falling to 1.04:1 in 2007, from 2.25:1 in 2002. Among cosmetic procedures there has been a 74% increase in the application of chemical peels during this time. The use of fillers and botulinum toxin evolved from sporadic procedures in 2002 to frequent practice in 2007, with 3.33 and 3 procedures being conducted per month, respectively. Conclusions: The data, which were obtained objectively, demonstrate the transformation of the activities of the Dermatology Service of the Clinical Hospital of the Federal University of Paraná from mainly clinical to clinical-surgical procedures, with an increase in the complexity of the procedures performed to help train dermatology residents, in accordance with the development of the specialty throughout Brazil and the rest of the world.

Keywords: AMBULATORY SURGICAL PROCEDURES, DERMATOLOGY, HISTORICAL ARTICLE

Introduction: Calcium hydroxyapatite is a radiopaque material that was traditionally used to provide radiologic contrast. It has recently been approved for use in cutaneous filling.
Objectives: To define the radiologic characteristics of Calcium hydroxyapatite and its potential to compromise radiologic evaluations.
Methods: Twelve patients received Calcium hydroxyapatite filler in the malar eminence and had radiography of the face (frontal, lateral, mentum-nasal-plaque (Waters), and Hirtz axial incidence technique) 1-8 weeks after the procedure. The X-rays were examined by two radiologists – one of whom was unaware of the filling procedure.
Results: The Hirtz axial incidence technique demonstrated amorphous radiopaque images in the suprazygomatic soft tissues in all cases, in both evaluations. Radiesse® was not detected using the other techniques, and did not illustrate the filler''''''''s position and symmetry. The evaluation of subjacent osseous structures was not compromised by the material''''''''s presence.
Discussion: Calcium hydroxyapatite can be identified in facial radiography when evaluat- ed using a method that avoids overlapping with adjacent osseous structures. Although it does not impair the osseous evaluation, it is recommended that the radiologist or dentist is noti- fied of the material''''''''s presence.
Conclusion: Cutaneous fillings containing Calcium hydroxyapatite can be identified, although not precisely located, using conventional X-ray.

Keywords: FACE, DURAPATITE, X-RAYS

Androgenetic alopecia is the most common type of alopecia in both women and men. Although there are clear clinical differences between its male and female patterns, there are physiopathogenic peculiarities in each gender. Changes in the hair cycle, with the shortening of the anagen phase, is responsible for the miniaturization process, transforming the terminal hair in a vellus hair. Treatment objectives are to increase the coverage of the scalp and to delay the progression of hair loss. In a didactic manner, this study goes over androgenetic alopecia’s physiopathogeny, clinical manifestations and therapeutic responses.

Keywords: ALOPECIA, ANDROGENS, FINASTERIDE, SPIRONOLACTONE, HAIR FOLLICLE

Introduction: Abdominal striae(i.e. stretch marks) are considered scars, for which there are no known treatments.
Objective: To compare the effectiveness of three treatments: subcision, 20% trichloroacetic acid, and subcision + 20% trichloroacetic acid in the treatment of stretch marks.
Methods: The lower abdomens of 11 patients with stretch marks were divided into four quadrants. Each patient had one stria selected for a single treatment session; the three treatments (subcision, 20% trichloroacetic acid, and subcision + 20% trichloroacetic acid) were administered in 3 quadrants, and the 4th quadrant served as a control. Each selected stria was biopsied before and after 12 weeks. The Wilcoxon test was used to evaluate the efficacy of the treatment. The Kruskal-Wallis test was used to evaluate the differences between the treatments.
Results: In all treatments there was a reduction in the mean value after treatment, however the 20% trichloroacetic acid treatment was statistically significant for the epidermal parameter and the collagen fiber staining. The subcision associated with 20% trichloroacetic acid presented a statistically significant result in the superficial dermis parameter, while the isolated subcision was significant in the superficial dermis parameter only.
Conclusions: These treatments are safe and present low operating costs, which make them a great alternative for treating abdominal striae. Future studies should conduct a clinical-histological evaluation after a greater number of sessions.

Keywords: STRIAE DISTENSAE, DERMATOLOGY, AMBULATORY SURGICAL PROCEDURES, SURGICAL PROCEDURES, MINOR, CHEMEXFOLIATION

Introduction: Melasma is an acquired hyperpigmentation that affects primarily the face and occurs more frequently in women with darker skin. There are several therapies for treating melasma, however its long-term management remains a challenge. Objectives: To evaluate fractional Erbium:YAG laser''''''''s clinical effectiveness in treating refractory melasma through the histological analysis of usual characteristics and the amount of epidermal and dermal pigment before and after treatment. Methods: Ten patients underwent three fractional Erbium:YAG laser sessions at monthly intervals. Biopsies were obtained before and after treatment. Subjective and objective clinical evaluations were carried out before, during, and after treatment. Results: No statistical improvement in Melasma Area Severity Index score was observed during the treatment. Hyperpigmentation of the basal layer and pigment deposition in the dermis was observed histologically. In seven cases, there was a reduction in the degree of hyperpigmentation in the epidermis, which was not statistically significant. Conclusions: The treatment of melasma with fractional Erbium:YAG laser was ineffective. Nonetheless, a decrease in Melasma Area Severity Index scores and in the degree of hyperpigmentation of the epidermis was detected, suggesting that fractional Erbium:YAG laser can clinically and histologically improve the degree of hyperpigmentation of the skin.

Keywords: MELANOSIS, LASERS, ERBIUM

Introduction: Acne scars are common, and their treatment is challenging. Several techniques have been used to remove, reposition, and flatten acne scars to improve the appearance of the skin’s surface. More recently, fractional CO₂ laser has been used to correct such scars due its good results and shorter recovery time.
Objective: To evaluate and compare fractional CO₂ laser vs. dermabrasion-based treatment of acne scars.
Methods: Nine patients were assessed – six received fractional CO₂ laser and three were treated with dermabrasion. Subjective and objective parameters were evaluated for both treatment modalities.
Results: Both patient groups showed objective and subjective improvement.
Conclusions: This study has demonstrated that fractional CO₂ laser and dermabrasion-based treatments have similar efficacy in moderate to severe acne scars.

Keywords: CICATRIX; ACNE VULGARIS; LASER THERAPY.

Hyaluronic acid is the currently most used filler in dermatology due to its low risk of adverse events. The objective of this study is to report a case of granulomatous reaction after filling with two types of hyaluronic acid, in the perioral region and in the nasolabial folds. A female patient with rheumatoid arthritis treated with leflunomide presented onset of symptoms 30 months after filling. Autoimmune diseases may facilitate the occurrence of complications and should be followed carefully before filling with hyaluronic acid. As already reported with the use of interferon and omalizumab, granulomatous reaction to fillers may occur after use of leflunomide.

Keywords: HYALURONIC ACID; GRANULOMA; RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS; FOREIGN-BODY REACTION

Sarcoidosis is a non-infectious granulomatous disease of unknown etiology in which environmental, infectious, immunological, and genetic factors appear to be correlated. Clinical manifestations can occur in any organ, however there is predominance in the lungs and in intrathoracic lymph nodes. The cutaneous involvement of the disease occurs in roughly 25% of cases, with cutaneous filling procedures figuring as a potential trigger. The authors of the present article report a case of a patient who had granulomatous lesions on the face following cutaneous filling with hyaluronic acid. In the investigation of cutaneous lesions, the patient presented diagnostic criteria for sarcoidosis, with extensive pulmonary involvement.

Keywords: sarcoidosis; granuloma; hyaluronic acid

Microneedling has traditionally been used to induce collagen formation. Scalp microneedling has been seen to stimulate the capillary cycle and anagen phase, but studies demonstrating histopathological changes after this procedure are lacking. Here we present the case of a 37-year-old woman with a 15-year history of female pattern alopecia, with diffuse hair thinning prominent in the frontoparietal region and hair miniaturization seen in dermoscopy. The patient’s condition remained stable for seven years with use of spironolactone and topical minoxidil. The patient underwent three scalp microneedling sessions at monthly intervals. Histopathological analysis was conducted before the sessions and one month after the last session. Despite slight clinical and dermoscopic improvement, the alopecia pattern remained the same, without significant changes in follicle count after the interventions. Neither inflammation nor fibrous tracts were observed after the procedure. The histopathological analysis is essential to assess the safety of scalp microneedling in the short and long term, investigate signs such as inflammation and fibrosis, and determine the effectiveness of this procedure in treating alopecia. Studies with a more significant number of cases are necessary.

Keywords: Alopecia; Pathology; Treatment outcome