INTRODUCTION: The skin aging process includes a functional decline of the scalp’s structures, with progressive atrophy of the dermis and follicular dermal papillae, which are crucial to the nutrition and metabolism of the hair follicle. These phenomena are directly related to a poor quality of the hair shaft.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the influence of a combination of nutrients on the keratinogenesis in the follicular dermal papilla.
METHODS: Cell cultures of human dermal papillae were incubated with a combination of A, C, D, E and B-complex vitamins, in addition to trace elements and keratin amino acids during 72 hours, in three different concentrations. These cultures were compared to an untreated control-culture. The papilla’s fibroblasts cell proliferation rate was determined after 72 hours.
RESULTS: The diverse concentrations evaluated promoted significant increase in cell proliferation as compared to the control group, however there was no significant difference between the concentrations studied.
CONCLUSION: The studied association of nutrients was capable to significantly act on the proliferation of cells in the human hair follicle’s dermal papilla, restoring more favorable conditions for the synthesis of the hair shaft. These findings demonstrate the presence of a significant potential in the approach strategy various causes of alopecia, including alopecia related to aging (senescent).

Keywords: Alopecia; Aging; Dermis; In vitro techniques; Nutrients

INTRODUCTION: Associated nutritional elements in physiological doses have demonstrated beneficial effects on capillary synthesis.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of the association of nutrients on parameters related to the follicular unit’s integrity.
METHODS: An evaluation of the interaction of a nutritional Suplement versus an in vitro control was carried out in culture of human hair follicles, under four diverse markers: quantification of keratins 10 and 14; immunofluorescence evaluation of 17A1 collagen (COL17A1) protein expression; determination of β-catenin; and quantification of ATP synthesis.
RESULTS: There was a significant improvement (p <0.005) of all evaluated parameters. Histologic analysis demonstrated a significant increase in the presence of the collagen 17A1 under immunofluorescence.
CONCLUSIONS: The parameters evaluated in this study have highlighted the positive impact of the association of nutrients in the hair follicle and follicular papillary dermis, with an increase of cell proliferation and metabolism, as well increased presence of collagen 17A1.

Keywords: beta Catenin; Collagen; Hair follicle; Keratin-10; Keratin-14

INTRODUCTION: The proteins involved in the process of epidermal differentiation play a key role in retention of water and maintenance of the stratum corneum.
OBJECTIVE: To assess the compaction of the skin barrier and protein expression of filaggrin, involucrin, loricrin and sphingomyelin after the use of a moisturizing cream containing saccharide isomerate and hydroxyethyl urea.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ex vivo evaluations were performed in skin culture in addition to immunofluorescence in order to identify proteins, as well as in vitro analysis with tissue culture in culture medium and histological sections, all of which compared with a control group.
RESULTS: In the ex vivo evaluation, the protein markers increased in the group treated with the moisturizing cream as compared to the skin culture model with atopic dermatitis. In the in vitro evaluation, it was possible to observe an improvement in the skin barrier compaction with the application of the cream on a reconstituted three-dimensional epidermis model, as compared with the control.
CONCLUSIONS: The moisturizing cream promoted a significant increase in the production of filaggrin, involucrin and loricrin, as well as in the compaction of the skin barrier, thus suggesting a positive effect on skin hydration and protection of the cutaneous barrier, preserving and restoring the skin.

Keywords: Administration; Amino acids; Carbohydrates; Cutaneous; Fluid therapy; Keratins; Keratinocytes; Skin; Skin care; Skin cream; Peptides; Proteins; Urea; Wetting agents

INTRODUCTION: The term inflammaging refers to the increase of the inflammatory response due to aging, resulting in a low level chronic pro-inflammatory state. High levels of proinflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-1, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor occur. Thus, the use of active principles that modulate the inflammatory response assists in the reduction of cellular oxidative stress, also reducing or avoiding irreversible cellular and non-clinically detectable molecular damage.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the action of a compound containing collagen peptides, Delphinol^®, vitamin C and hibiscus on the modulation of the cutaneous inflammatory response.
SUPORTE FINANCEIRO: Laboratório Farmoquímica, Rio de Janeiro - RJ, Brasil. Conflito de Interesses: Os autores afirmam não possuir interesses pessoais, comerciais, políticos ou financeiros neste manuscrito.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: The release of inflammatory cytokines after treatment with the product was evaluated in keratinocytes exposed to an inflammatory response-inducing lipopolysaccharide.
RESULTS: When keratinocytes were exposed to the studied compound, it was possible to observe an increase in the release of interleukin 6 and a reduction tendency in the levels of interleukin 1-alpha and interleukin-8. In addition, the release of basal tumor necrosis factor-alpha was reduced by 67.5% (P = 0.008).
CONCLUSIONS: The compound studied has a potential effect on inflammaging — and consequently on aging — by modulating the inflammatory cytokines interleukin-1 alpha, interleukin-6, interleukin-8 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha.

Keywords: Aging; Anti-Inflammatory agents; Antioxidants; Ascorbic acid; Collagen; Dietary Suplements; Hibiscus; Inflammation mediators; Skin; Skin aging

One of the resources available aimed at improving skin quality are chemical peels, that can include the use of several active substances. Superficial peels reach the epidermis only and usually cause a slight desquamation for cell renewal, however they are not free of complications. The authors present a report of a patient who had contact dermatitis linked to retinoic acid, after undergoing a combined peeling procedure with Jessner's solution followed by 5% retinoic acid.

Keywords: Chemexfoliation; Receptors, retinoic acid; Skin aging

Rosacea is a common chronic skin disease that has several clinical manifestations, with erythema and inflammation being predominant characteristics. Its presence is associated with psychosocial impact on patients' lives. Although there are several options for topical and systemic treatments, it is known that only the inflammation is treated and that the erythema persists in most cases. More recently, there have been some publications describing the treatment of rosacea with botulinum toxin associated with good results. In this manner, the authors sought to evaluate the action of botulinum toxin in the treatment of rosacea that is persistent and refractory to various clinical treatments.

Keywords: Rosacea; Botulinum Toxins; Therapeutics

Scalp folliculitis is a common condition in dermatological practice and a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. The authors describe a case of chronic suppurative folliculitis in a 53-year-old man who had bore the condition for 18 years. The control of chronic staphylococcal infection with sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim for 7 months, with progressive shaving of keloid lesions (5 sessions) and application of 90% trichloroacetic acid on wounds up until re-epithelialization (7 months), were successful in treating the disease.

Keywords: Folliculitis; Staphylococcus aureus; Trichloroacetic acid

The association of cysts and comedones in chronically sun-damaged skin characterizes the Favre-Racouchot syndrome. The authors report a case of a 64 year-old male patient with a history of smoking and tillage work activity. The patient had lesions in the malar, zygomatic and mandibular regions bilaterally, constituted by slightly erythematous cysts and large comedones in thickened skin with deep grooves. The condition was diagnosed as Favre-Racouchot syndrome, and treated by means of surgical excision. The objective of the present study is to describe an exuberant presentation of the syndrome, and its treatment via surgical excision.

Keywords: Facial dermatoses; Photosensitivity disorders; Skin aging

The sebaceous nevus of Jadassohn is a benign neoplasia, usually present at birth. It usually arises as a small yellowish and oval plaque in the scalp and face, with large lesions being uncommon. The authors report a case of an atypical and exuberant sebaceous nevus of Jadassohn, located in the frontal-parietal-occipital region of a male child, associated with alopecia.

Keywords: Hamartoma; Nevus, sebaceous of Jadassohn; Sebaceous glands; Skin neoplasms

The poroid hidradenoma is a rare benign intradermal neoplasm rare that is poorly described in the literature. It usually affects elderly individuals and is characterized as a solitary, painless and well-circumscribed nodule. The diagnosis is confirmed by the histological characteristics of the hidradenomas and poromas. The treatment corresponds to complete surgical excision, thus avoiding recurrence and malignancy. The authors report a case of a 64 year-old patient, with a single, well-delimited and asymptomatic nodular lesion that had emerged 5 months before.

Keywords: Neoplasms, Adnexal and skin appendage; Poroma; Sweat gland neoplasms

The post-traumatic pseudolipoma (PTPL) is a unencapsulated proliferation of mature adipose tissue that develops after a local trauma. We report a case of a male child, who presented with a tumor on the left forearm which appeared weeks after a local blunt trauma. We perform a biopsy of the lesion and the diagnosis of post-traumatic pseudolipoma was established. This case exposes an example that PTPL can simulate liposarcoma clinically. In addition, both disorders are rarely reported in dermatological journals, which cause a poor knowledge about its clinical resemblances and differences by dermatologists.

Keywords: Forearm injuries; Lipoma; Liposarcoma; Neoplasms, post-traumatic

Porokeratoma is an entity defined as an acanthoma with porokeratosis characteristics. It has a distinct histological pattern from that of the cornoid lamella and has clinical differences regarding the typical porokeratosis. The condition has been described only recently and there are few cases reported in the literature. The authors report the case of a 46 year-old male patient with an exophytic nodular lesion located in the intergluteal region. Histological examinations evidenced multiple cornoid lamellae, with those located on the periphery being better defined. Based on the clinical and histological appearance, the lesion was diagnosed as a porokeratoma.

Keywords: Acanthoma; Keratosis; Porokeratosis

Angiosarcoma is a rare and aggressive vascular neoplasia that can occur anywhere in the skin integument, especially in the face and scalp. It has a branched character, and can clinically arise as a macula, papule, plaque or nodule of erythematous hue, with imprecise limits and expansive growth, and diagnosis based on the clinical-pathological correlation. In the present study, the authors report the case of a patient with exuberant cutaneous angiosarcoma on the face, where surgical resection was performed as the first therapeutic option.

Keywords: Dermatology; Hemangiosarcoma; Sarcoma; Vascular neoplasms

Squamous cell carcinoma is the second more frequent non-melanoma skin cancer. It is linked to the sunlight exposure and the clinical presentation in the foot is atypical, and rarely develops metastasis. The authors report a case of a patient with an exuberant clinical picture of squamous cell carcinoma in the foot, with long development and absence of metastasis. Surgical treatment was successfully performed.

Keywords: Foot; Melanoma, amelanotic; Neoplasms, squamous cell

Follicular thyroid carcinoma is a well-differentiated tumor, and is considered the second most common subtype of thyroid cancer. Its metastasis usually arises hematogenously — mainly to the lungs and bones — and is considered rare when it occurs cutaneously. The authors report a case of a patient with follicular thyroid carcinoma for 5 years who noticed an erythematous, friable exophytic nodular lesion measuring 1cm on the scalp with 7 months of development, simulating a pyogenic granuloma. Biopsy analysis revealed an adenocarcinoma with glandular differentiation and colloid material in the lumen. The immunohistochemical profile was positive for CK-7 and thyroglobulin, favoring the diagnosis of cutaneous metastasis of primary thyroid neoplasia.

Keywords: Dermatology; Granuloma, Pyogenic; Neoplasms; Neoplasm metastasis