background. Intense pulsed light (IPL) is an effective and safe hair removal method. However, it is not exempt from side effects. objective. To evaluate clinical and hormonal characteristics of females with facial hirsutism that developed hair growth in untreated areas close to the area submitted to IPL photoepilation ("paradoxical effect"). methods. A total of 49 females with facial hirsutism were included in a protocol of photoepilation with an IPL source. Hyperandrogenism of tumoral origin was excluded in all subjects. Serum levels of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol (E 2 ), prolactin (PRL), testosterone (T), androstenedione (A), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), 17-OH-progesterone (OHP), and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) were determined prior to IPL treatment. Clinical and photographic evaluation was performed immediately before each treatment session and 2, 6, and 9 months after the last treatment session. Only cases with "paradoxical effect" were included in this study. results. A total of five patients with "paradoxical effect" were identified. The patients' ranged in age from 13 to 44 years and all of them had skin phototype III (Fitzpatrick scale). All these subjects were diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome and presented ovarian hyperandrogenism. Patients underwent six to nine IPL sessions, and "paradoxical effect" appeared at different times during the protocol, between treatment session 3 and 6 months after the conclusion of treatment. conclusion. IPL may induce activation of dormant hair follicles in untreated areas close to hirsute-treated areas.

Even though common, most side-effects secondary to IPL photodepilation are mild and transient. Permanent side-effects such as scars are unlikely but they may occur. Growth of new, fine and dark hair may be seen in untreated areas in close proximity to the treatment area, especially in the neck, a side-effect that is reported for the first time in the literature.

BackgroundIn acne, several studies report a poor adherence to treatments. We evaluate, in a real-life setting conditions, the impact of compliance to physician’s instructions, recommendations and adherence to the treatments on clinical outcome in patients with mild to moderate acne in an observational, non-interventional prospective study carried out in 72 Dermatologic Services in Spain (ACTUO Trial).MethodsSix-hundred-forty-three subjects were enrolled and 566 patients (88 %) completed the 3 study visits. Study aimed to evaluate the impact of adherence (assessed with ECOB scale) on clinical outcome, as well as how the use of specific adjuvant treatments (facial cleansing, emollient, moisturizing and lenitive specific topical products) influences treatment’s adherence and acne severity (0–5 points score). Recommendation of specific adjuvant skin barrier repair products was made in 85.2 %.ResultsOverall, clinical improvement was observed throughout follow-up visits with an increased proportion of patients who reported reductions of ≥50 % on the total number of lesions (2 months: 25.2 %; 3 months: 57.6 %) and reductions of severity scores (2.5, 2.0 and 1.3 at 1, 2 and 3 months after treatment, respectively). Adherence to treatment was associated with a significant reduction on severity grading, a lower number of lesions and a higher proportion of patients with ≥50 % improvement.ConclusionsGood adherence to medication plus adherence to adjuvants was significantly associated with a higher clinical improvement unlike those that despite adherence with medication had a low adherence to adjuvants. A good adherence to adjuvant treatment was associated with improved adherence and better treatment outcomes in mild to moderate acne patients. (ISRCTN Registry: ISRCTN14257026).

Radiotherapy is a curative treatment in selected cases of EMP disease in situ affecting large areas of the anogenital region.

IPL may induce activation of dormant hair follicles in untreated areas close to hirsute-treated areas.