Introdução: Molluscum contagiosum is a dermal viral infection commonly occurring in childhood. Although self-limited, this disease is contagious and involves complications such as pruritus, eczema and bacterial superinfection. A therapeutic approach is often required, and treatment selection depends on its effectiveness and patient tolerance.
Objective: Compare 3 treatments in children regarding efficacy, adverse effects and psychological impact, in efforts to customize the treatment approach.
Methods: Randomized, comparative and prospective study of patients aged 3 to 15, divided into 3 groups.The trunk and face were the most frequently affected sites. Group 1 was treated with 10% potassium hydroxide,Group 2 with a combination of salicylic and lactic acids, and Group 3 with curettage. Parental satisfaction regarding comfort and treatment cost was assessed in each group.
Results: Although some tendencies could be identified, the study did not detect statistical differences between the treatment groups. Group 1 experienced more pain, and a greater number of patients with complications at the end of the follow-up period. Group 3 patients were more cooperative in their treatment, since this method was the quickest and presented the fewest side effects, resulting in greater parental satisfaction. Discussion: Curettage (Group 3) and the combination of salicylic and lactic acids (Group 2) were equally effective, although the results for Group 2 were more gradual.
Conclusion: Treatment of this condition must be individualized, taking the patients’ preference, tolerance and availability of time into consideration.

Introduction: After puberty, most women develop some amount of cellulite. With the increasing number of dermatological consultations about treating cellulite, a broader understanding of the characteristics, wishes and expectations of these patients regarding their quality of life has become necessary.
Objective: To develop and validate an instrument to evaluate the quality of life of patients with cellulite.
Methods: The study consisted of two stages: in the first, instruments for assessing patients'''''''' quality of life were developed and validated; in the second, two questionnaires were administered to 100 females with cellulite, aged 18 to 45.
Results: The reliability of the results was assessed using factorial analysis and Cronbach''''''''s alpha test. With the use of exploratory factorial analysis, it was possible to test (1) the hypothesis that all questions in the shortened questionnaire measured a single factor (cellulite) and (2) the hypothesis that each block of questions in the full version of the questionnaire measured a single domain or factor among the parameters being assessed (dressing style, physical activity, partner, feelings and change in daily habits).
Conclusion: The validation analysis showed that both questionnaires effectively measure cellulite patients'''''''' quality of life.

Keywords: QUALITY OF LIFE, QUESTIONNAIRES, CELLULITIS

Periorbital hyperchromia (dark eye circles) is a recurrent complaint in dermatologic consultations, as it interferes with patients’ self esteem. The eyes are central in the communication process, and dark eye circles are very noticeable and make the face look tired; thus they have a considerable impact on patients’ quality of life. Although many treatment options are available, publications on periorbital hyperpigmentation are scarce, and the vast majority lack a sound scientific basis to prove their efficacy and duration. This article analyzes the palpebral region’s anatomy and periorbital hyperchromia’s epidemiology, etiopathogeny, and treatments recommended in the literature.

Keywords: HYPERPIGMENTATION, EYELIDS, SKIN PIGMENTATION, PRODUCTS FOR EYES AREAS

Introduction: Skin cancer is the most common type of neoplasia in humans, with ultraviolet radiation being considered the main cause. Basal cell carcinoma is the most frequent cutaneous neoplasia, and photoprotection is seen as the most effective measure in its prevention. Nonetheless, there is still some resistance to the use of sunscreens among the general population. There is also a lack of reports in the literature on whether such resistance differs in patients with basal cell carcinoma. Objectives: To evaluate whether there is change in habits regarding exposure to the sun and use of sunscreen after diagnosis of basal cell carcinoma in patients treated at the Dermatology Outpatient Clinic of Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre (RS), Brazil. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out with 120 patients diagnosed and treated for basal cell carcinoma, who responded to a questionnaire regarding their sun exposure habits and use of photoprotection methods before and after diagnosis. Results: Of the 120 patients interviewed, 73.3% reported changes in their habits regarding exposure to the sun and use of sunscreen after receiving a diagnosis of basal cell carcinoma. The main reasons alleged by those who denied having changed their behavior towards sun exposure (26.7%), were the lack of fear of new tumors, as well as the high cost of sunscreens. Conclusions: A diagnosis of basal cell carcinoma motivates most patients to improve their use of preventive measures regarding protection from the sun. Nonetheless, about a third of the studied population still resisted such measures, the main reason cited being the high cost of sunscreens. Therefore, awareness campaigns about the importance of using photoprotection methods to prevent skin cancer must be implemented, and the development of programs aimed at making sunscreens available to the general population – especially to high-risk patients – must be sought.

Keywords: SKIN NEOPLASMS, CARCINOMA, BASAL CELL, HEALTH EDUCATION

Introduction: Periorbital hyperpigmentation is a multifactorial dyschromia that involves the eyelid''''''''s vascularization and melanin hyperpigmentation. Objective:To compare the efficacy of 2.5% thioglycolic acid, 2% hydroquinone, 2% Haloxyl, and 10% thioglycolic acid peel in the reduction of dark circles. Methods: Eighty patients were divided into four groups. Groups 1, 2, and 3 underwent treatments with 2.5% thioglycolic acid, 2% hydroquinone, and 2% Haloxyl, respectively. Group 4 underwent five biweekly sessions of chemical exfoliation with 10% thioglycolic acid. All patients were evaluated by two physicians after the treatment: the one who performed the treatment, and another who was blinded to the outcome. The assessment was carried out using photographs and a clinical satisfaction questionnaire distributed to the patients. Results: The best results occurred in Groups 1 and 2. Group 3 had slightly inferior results, possibly due to the low concentration used. Group 4 had the least significant results, however this outcome may have been influenced by the higher age of the group members and the lack of daily use of medications. Conclusions: There is still not an ideal treatment for dark circles, with the currently available therapeutic resources only alleviating the difference in color between the lower eyelids and the rest of the face.

Keywords: HYPERPIGMENTATION, SKIN PIGMENTATION, EYELIDS

Introduction: Periorbital hyperchromia or "dark circles" is a common complaint, due to the fact that it interferes with patients' self-esteem. Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of periorbital hyperchromia and its possible etiopathogenetic factors in a population sample drawn from a state and university dermatology service in Porto Alegre, Brazil. Methods: Cross-sectional, prospective study. Data collection questionnaire given to patients who visited the Dermatology Department of UFCSPA, from November 2011 to April 2012. Results: From a total of 220 investigated patients, there was a predominance of women with skin phototypes 2 and 3 and a mean age of 42.2 years.The use of sunscreen and corrective makeup were seen in 59.8% and 40.4% of studied patients, respectively. Presence of septal deviation was observed in 6.8% of patients, snoring at night in 48.4%, asthma in 15.1%, rhinitis in 44.7%, atopic dermatitis in 11.2%, mouth breathing in 20.1% and other types of allergy in 28.6%. Half of the sample mentioned sleeping 5 to 7 hours per night. Smoking, alcohol consumption, and physical activity were reported by 19.2%, 32.9% and 42.9% of patients, respectively.A family history of dark circles was described in 63.7% of cases. Conclusions: periorbital hyperchromia predominated in women of low skin phototypes, during their 4th decade of life and who reported daily use of sunscreen, physical inactivity, alcohol consumption, smoking habit, allergies, sleep deprivation, and a family history of dark circles.

Keywords: EYES; QUALITY OF LIFE; DERMATOLOGY.

Introduction: Although the intradermal melanocytic nevi are benign lesions, many patients seek for dermatologists for their excision. However, there are no studies about the best method for this procedure.
Objective: To compare in a randomized clinical trial the excision of intradermal melanocytic nevi in the face for shaving and elliptical excision with suture
Methods: Patients with intradermal melanocytic nevi on the face were selected for removal by shaving or ellipse, randomly. The results were described regarding patient satisfaction and photographic records evaluated by a blinded physician.
Results: 18 patients underwent excision of intradermal melanocytic nevi. The mean scar size after six months of the procedure was of 8,11mm for the excision in ellipse and 2,92mm for the shaving (p < 0.05). The mean score of the patients after six months was 9.67 (ellipse) and 9.57 (shaving) (p = 0.8). The mean by the blinded physician was of 7.78 (ellipse) and 7.86 (shaving) (p = 0.91). 28.6% of patients undergoing shaving had recurrence of the nevus.
Conclusions: The two forms are of excision are equivalent concerning patients satisfaction and the judgment of medical team about the aesthetic results of the scar. However, ellipse with suture excision has the advantage of having a lower relapse.

Keywords: NEVUS, INTRADERMAL; AMBULATORY SURGICAL PROCEDURES; SKIN; THERAPEUTICS

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) has the second highest incidence rate among non-melanoma skin cancers. About 5% of cases progress to locally advanced and/or metastatic lesions, making the surgical approach often unfeasible. Based on this, we performed a literature review on the use of immunotherapy drugs to treat advanced SCC. The results showed that immunotherapy is a potential therapeutic strategy due to the antitumor activity promotion through the individual immune response, reducing the adverse events of surgeries, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy

Keywords: Squamous cell carcinoma; Tumor Evasion; Immunotherapy; Skin neoplasms