It is possible that IL-17A plays a role in the pathogenesis of AA. Serum IL-17A may be influenced by patient age and age of onset of AA but does not seem to influence disease severity.

Background and Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of fractional carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) laser versus carboxytherapy in treatment of striae distensae. Study Design/Materials and Methods: This study was conducted on forty female patients with striae distensae on the abdomen. Patients were selected and divided randomly into two matched groups; group I was treated with fractional CO 2 laser resurfacing and group II with carboxytherapy. Assessment and evaluation of the results were done by comparing photographs and the Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (GAIS). Results: Pregnancy, obesity, and long-term steroid use were the most common causes of striae in both groups. Both groups showed a statistically significant improvement in both the width and length of striae with no statistically significant difference between them. Patients' satisfaction was comparable in both groups. Pain and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation were the two most common side effects in group I while bruising at the injection site was the most common in group II. Conclusions: Both modalities could be effective in management of striae distensae. Lasers Surg. Med.

The yellow dot and white dot signs are suggested as new dermoscopic findings in advanced androgenetic alopecia. Peripilar sign, honeycomb pigmentation, and white dots are characteristic signs of female androgenetic alopecia in ethnic groups of darker skin.

Background and ObjectivesTo compare the efficacy of the long‐pulsed Nd:YAG (1,064 nm) laser versus the Q‐Switched Nd:YAG (1,064 nm) laser in treatment of onychomycosis.Study Design/Materials and MethodsThis is a prospective cohort study. It was carried out on 20 patients with clinical and mycological evidence of onychomycosis who were randomly assigned into two groups; group I: included 10 patients treated with biweekly sessions of long‐pulsed Nd:YAG (1064 nm) laser and group II; included 10 patients treated with monthly sessions of Q‐Switched Nd:YAG (1064 nm) laser. The assessment was done using proximal nail measurement and microscopic examination using 10–20% potassium hydroxide solution and culture on Sabouraud's dextrose agar. All patients were followed up for 6 months after the last treatment session.ResultsFungal isolates in the present study were grouped into yeast in 50%, non‐dermatophyte moulds in 10%, while dermatophyte infection was detected in 40%. Each group showed a statistically significant improvement in proximal nail plate measurements with no statistically significant difference between both groups. Mycological cure was only achieved in 40% of group I and 30% of group II. Patient satisfaction was higher in group II.ConclusionsBoth long‐pulsed Nd:YAG (1064 nm) and Q‐Switched Nd:YAG (1064 nm) laser systems can be used as a safe and effective modality in the treatment of onychomycosis, particularly in patients who refuse or have a contraindication to oral antifungal treatment. Lasers Surg. Med. 00:00–00, 2019. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Introduction: Transepidermal drug delivery,  using “laser-assisted drug delivery'', or microneedling, are new treatment modalities, that can improve drug penetration into skin in treatment of alopecia areata patients. Objective: To evaluate the use of fractional carbon dioxide laser versus microneedling in transepidermal delivery of triamcinolone acetonide and platelet rich plasma in alopecia areata treatment. Methods: Interventional comparative study carried out on 60 patients, randomly divided into four equal groups. Group I :Fractional Carbon dioxide laser and triamcinolone acetonide. Group II: Microneedling with Dermapen and triamcinolone acetonide. Group III: Fractional Carbon dioxide laser and Platelet-rich plasma. Group IV: Microneedling with Dermapen and Platelet-rich plasma. Patients were assessed clinically, using Severity of Alopecia Tool score and hair regrowth scale, and dermoscopically. Results: In all treatment groups, there was improvement in the Regrowth scale, with statistical significance between the different groups at fourth (p= 0.001*) and last (p= 0.008*) visits, with highest, most significant changes in Pen-Steroid group. Comparing Regrowth scale at last visit,  results were in favor of dermapen, compared to Carbon dioxide laser for Transepidermal drug delivery (p=0.023*); and in favor of triamcinolone acetonide, compared to Platelet-rich plasma as topical medication (p=0.015*). Dermoscopic signs of improvement included decrease in black dots, and appearance of Upright regrowing hairs (p= <0.001*). Conclusion: Microneedling and fractional Carbon dioxide laser can be effectively used for transepidermal drug delivery for Alopecia areata treatment. Microneedling for delivery of Triamcinolone acetonide showed best treatment outcomes. Dermoscopy can be used in alopecia areata for evaluation of treatment response.