Hormones are very important in the aging process because some of their levels decrease. Therefore it can be hypothesized that hormone replacement therapy might slow aging. In light of the increasing interest in rejuvenating treatments that can yield good results, hormone replacement therapy has dawned in scientific circles. This review examines the roles of growth hormones melatonin and dehydroepiandrosterone, as well as those of bioidentical hormones in rejuvenation. The authors have also sought to evaluate the results of studies on hormone replacement therapy, considering the risks and benefits of using those hormones, which are seen as the "fountain of youth."

Keywords: HORMONES; REJUVENATION; GROWTH HORMONE; MELATONIN; DEHYDROEPIANDROSTERONE.

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.

Introduction: Stretch marks occur due to the rapid stretching of the skin, which is typical in pregnancy. Several topical treatments to prevent them have been studied.
Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of a topical formulation (lactic acid and sodium lactate in an emulsion with caprylic and capric acids’ triglycerides) in the prevention of stretch marks.
Methods: Seventy-five pregnant women aged 18-40 were assessed. The treated area was the abdomen and the control area was the inner forearm, with and without the application of the tested product. Softness, hydration, and elasticity – and biophysical measurements for hydration and elasticity – were evaluated.
Results: Of the 52 women who completed the study, 9.6% presented stretch marks in the treated abdominal area. There was a significant improvement in all clinical parameters assessed (p < 0.001). There was a significant improvement – compared the control area – in the instrumental measurements of hydration and elasticity in the abdomen. A significant improvement was also verified in the treated forearm area compared to the untreated forearm area for both parameters evaluated (p = 0.001).
Conclusions: The formulation improved the skin’s elasticity and hydration, reducing the striae incidence more than previously reported in the literature.

Keywords: STRIAE DISTENSAE; PREGNANCY; RELAXIN.

Introduction: A poorly described aspect of onychocryptosis – the main cause for nail unit surgeries – is how to perform its surgical closure. The present article describes a new technique denominated alpha stitch that allows the straightening out of the nail fold by positioning it at or below the nail plate’s level.
Objective: To demonstrate the benefits of the alpha stitch surgical closure technique in the surgical matricectomy for onychocryptosis.
Methods: Twenty patients with onychocryptosis grades II and III underwent surgical matricectomy and were followed up for six months. The surgical closure was performed using the alpha stitch technique.
Results: A total of 27 lateral nail folds were operated, with 81.8% yielding the expected result, and 18.1% presenting uncertain outcomes.
Conclusions: The alpha stitch allows the proper healing of the straightened out nail fold, which is positioned at or below the nails plate’s level, with good results, fast recovery, minimal morbidity and a small number of recurrences. The technique can also be used in surgical procedures involving other nail disorders.

Keywords: NAIL DISEASES; AMBULATORY SURGICAL PROCEDURES; SURGICAL PROCEDURES, MINOR; SUTURE TECHNIQUES.

Introduction: The aging process in the infraorbital region involves a loss of volume, gravitational and skin changes.
Objective: To describe the etiopathogenic classification and treatment of dark circles caused by lower eyelid contour changes.
Methods: A new technique of hyaluronic acid filling, using a blunt cannula through a unique orifice is presented.
Results: Reformulating the dark circles classification is useful for making the best therapeutic options. The technique's advantages are its safety and good aesthetic results.
Conclusion: Filling with hyaluronic acid using this new technique has proven safer than other pre-existing techniques.

Keywords: EYELIDS; REJUVENATION; HYALURONIC ACID/ADMINISTRATION & DOSAGE.

Cutaneous atrophic striae (or striae distensae) is a very common skin condition that frequently motivates dermatological consultations. Due to its unaesthetic appearance, it can have a significant impact on patients' psychosocial status and quality of life. This study reviews the literature involving possible treatments for more recent and older cutaneous striae or stretch marks. Given the great number of etiological factors involved, the literature is abundant and divergent regarding the treatment of the condition.

Keywords: STRIAE DISTENSAE; THERAPEUTICS; LASER THERAPY.

This study describes a technique for correcting entropion based on the case of a female patient who had that alteration in the left lower eyelid, in addition to sagging and fat pseudo-herniation in the left and right eyelid areas. Bilateral upper and lower blepharoplasty was performed, with wedge resection of the orbicularis muscle and tarsus in both lower eyelids, followed by reconstruction. The patient presented good functional and aesthetic results, with no complications.

Keywords: BLEPHAROPLASTY; ENTROPION; RECONSTRUCTION.

Xanthelasma is a frequent complaint in dermatology, especially among women. Clinically, the condition has the appearance of flat or slightly raised yellowish plaques in the eyelid region. There are several procedures described for treating this condition. Blepharoplasty is the most commonly used technique to correct extensive xanthelasmas, particularly in patients with excess skin.

Keywords: XANTHOMATOSIS; BLEPHAROPLASTY; SURGICAL PROCEDURES, ELECTIVE.

Pyogenic granuloma is a common vascular proliferation that can be found on skin and mucous membranes. Its clinical presentation is that of a nodular, friable and erythematous lesion, with fast growth history. The nail bed pyogenic granuloma is generally related to onychocryptosis and trauma, being very painful in that site. There are several treatment options, including surgical excision, cryotherapy, electrocautery, curettage, lasers, application of trichloroacetic acid, imiquimod and microembolization. The present study reports a case of bilateral pyogenic granuloma in the halluces with exuberant growth, leading to the occlusion of the nail plate. The surgical excision of the lesion was performed with good cosmetic results.

Keywords: PYOGENIC GRANULOMA, SURGERY, TRICHLOROACETC ACID, CRYOTHERAPY.

The keratoacanthoma is a fast growing benign skin tumor that is composed of squamous cells and has clinical and histopathological features similar to those of the squamous cell carcinoma, and may undergo spontaneous regression without any treatment. It mainly affects elderly and immunosuppressed males who have fair skin, occuring in body sites that have been chronically exposed to sunlight, such as the face, forearms and backs of hands. The differential diagnosis with squamous cell carcinoma is particularly important. The recommended treatment is its surgical excision. Other treatment modalities, such as cryotherapy, electrocoagulation and intralesional injection of chemotherapeutic agents, are also available.

Keywords: KERATOACANTHOMA; LASER THERAPY; SKIN.

Neurofibromatosis type 1, also known as von Recklinghausen neurofibromatosis, is an autosomal dominant disorder that affects 1 in 3,000 newborns. Approximately 50% of neurofibromatosis type 1 patients have no family history of the disease. The tongue, the alveolar ridge of the buccal mucosa, gums, lips, palate, floor of the mouth, and pharyngomaxillary fossa can be affected by tumors associated with this condition; the tongue is the most common site. We report the case of a 29-year-old female patient with neurofibroma in the tongue, highlighting the possibility of disease manifestations in the oral cavity and differential diagnoses.

Keywords: NEUROFIBROMATOSIS 1; NEUROFIBROMA, PLEXIFORM; NEUROFIBROMA; TONGUE NEOPLASMS.

Summary: Acquired digital fibrokeratoma is a rare benign fibroepithelial condition, which typically occurs as a solitary asymptomatic nodule in fingers and toes. The authors report the clinical case of a female patient affected by two digital fibrokeratomas in the 4th and 2nd left fingers, respectively.

Keywords: NEOPLASMS, FIBROEPITHELIAL; FIBROMA; FINGER INJURIES.

Summary: Multiple cutaneous miliary osteoma is a rare condition characterized by ectopic bone tissue in the dermis and/or hypodermis. It usually occurs on the face, in individuals of 17 to 79 years old. Its etiology is still unknown. The present article reports the case of a female patient affected by a hardened, poorly delimited, papular plaque of dark brown hue and irregular surface, affecting the malar and mentonian regions. The patient sought medical care two years before the publication of this study, describing untreated acne since the age of 16. The papular plaque was composed of hyperchromic papular nodular lesions – some with white-yellowish hue. The diagnosis was confirmed histopathologically. Satisfactory therapeutic results were achieved with the use of 0.1% tretinoin cream.

Keywords: OSTEOMA; DECALCIFICATION, PATHOLOGIC; OSSIFICATION, HETEROTOPIC.

The prognosis of cutaneous melanomas depends mainly on the lesions' thickness; early detection is of paramount importance for patient longer survival rates. An accuracy of approximately 90% can be achieved using dermoscopic assessment. Since early melanomas might not present specific dermoscopic features, they can only be diagnosed by observing alterations over time through total body mapping and serial digital dermoscopy. Patients with atypical nevus syndrome and multiple familial melanoma presented a higher sensitivity for the detection of melanoma using that technique.

Keywords: MELANOMA; DERMOSCOPY; DYSPLASTIC NEVUS SYNDROME.

Fractional photothermolysis was developed as an alternative to ablative lasers (which are effective but pose a high risk of complications) and non-ablative lasers (which have limited effectiveness). Fractional photothermolysis has been successfully used in diverse dermatological conditions. This study describes the case of an Asian male patient with atrophic scarring secondary to trauma in the left paranasal region, who underwent treatment with 1,550 nm non-ablative fractional Erbium Glass laser, which led to a significant improvement in the lesion. This case corroborates the use of less-invasive procedures in difficult-to-treat dermatoses and in treating Asian skin types safely and effectively.

Keywords: LASERS; THERAPEUTICS; CICATRIX; ATROPHY.