Background/aim: Demodex spp. are ectoparasites living in the pilosebaceous units, which feed on the host's sebum and cellular proteins. The protective barrier of the skin consists of sebum secretion, moisture, and the acid mantle. In this study, we aimed to determine the effects of skin sebum, moisture, pH levels, and sebum configuration on Demodex spp. density Materials and methods: Forty-five patients who had demodicosis were enrolled in the study group, while the control group consisted of 40 subjects without demodicosis. Body fat percentage, serum triglyceride and cholesterol levels, skin sebum, moisture, and pH levels were measured. Demodex spp. density was determined with a standardized skin surface biopsy. Sebum samples were taken from the forehead and a high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) method was performed on these samples. Subsequently, densitometric analyses were applied to the HPTLC plates.Results: Demodex spp. were found on the cheeks and lived in an alkali environment. Skin sebum and moisture levels were low in all groups. The skin pH levels and cholesterol ester in the sebum configuration were determined to be significantly higher in the group with demodicosis. Conclusion:We suggest that Demodex spp. may use cholesterol ester in the sebum as nutriment. In other words, cholesterol ester may be a suitable growth medium for the proliferation of Demodex spp.

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There are some studies on the knowledge, beliefs, and perceptions of patients about acne vulgaris, however, there is no sufficient data on patients' beliefs about oral isotretinoin treatment (OIT). The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge, beliefs, and perceptions of the patients with acne vulgaris about the therapy of OIT and its side effects. A total of 214 patients with acne vulgaris in our outpatient clinic were included. Patients who were planned to treat with OIT were asked whether they had information about the treatment and its side effects. It was noted whether the patients accepted treatment after being informed both verbally and written about the OIT details. The study consisted of 133 female and 81 male aged 12–57 years. Most of the patients (78%) stated that they had heard of OIT. The most common source of the information on isotretinoin therapy was friends (57.6%). The dryness was the best‐known side effect. While 86.4% of patients (n: 185) accepted OIT, the group (14.4%) stated that “I have knowledge about side effects.” And refused to use the treatment. Most of the patients agreed to the treatment after explanation of dermatologist. Patients may be educated and informed via reliable medical sources to prevent bias and improve compliance to the treatment.