A wish for a smoother, even, flawless, youthful looking skin has always been a priority for both men and women across continents.Factors including heredity, sunlight, pollutants, smoking and alcohol intake, and aging 1 itself contribute to patchy, dry rough skin leading to dull, uneven skin tone and unattractive skin. Skin rejuvenation is a treatment modality designed to improve aesthetic concerns caused by many of above-mentioned factors.Photoaging is a common and principal cause of dull, dark skin, commonly affecting face, décolleté area, arms, back of hands, and sides of neck. Due to the involvement of exposed areas, photoaging has a profound psychological impact on affected individuals. 2 Photorejuvenation is defined as the treatment of damage caused due to sun-induced and other environmental factors utilizing light or visible or infrared light energy sources. [3][4][5] Visible disturbance to overlying epidermis should be avoided while trying to achieve this in a nonablative manner. The treatment consists of the recontouring

Background:Postinflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) is a common sequela seen in the Indian population following affliction by acne. It is psychologically extremely disturbing for the patients and can severely affect the quality of life. Very few therapeutic modalities have proved to be really efficacious in this condition.Aims:The aim was to review our experience with 1,064-nm Q-switched neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (QSNY) laser in the treatment of PIH.Materials and Methods:Seventy-eight patients with postacne hyperpigmentation were included in the study. They were treated with six sessions at two weekly intervals using a 1,064-nm QSNY laser. Patient and physician scores were assessed at 1 month and 3 months after the last treatment. Clinical photographs also were reviewed to determine the efficacy. Adverse effects were noted.Results:Seventy percent of the patients reported significant improvement in hyperpigmentation as compared to the baseline. The majority of the adverse events were limited to mild, brief erythema.Conclusion:The 1,064-nm QSNY laser is an effective modality for the treatment of PIH caused by acne.

IntroductionWith increased life expectancy, the desire to look younger has increased. Hence, many patients approach dermatologists for antiaging treatment. However, data regarding management of skin aging in India are scarce.AimsTo understand management patterns for skin aging among dermatologists in India.MethodsOverall, 147 Indian dermatologists were administered a questionnaire‐based survey about patient characteristics, signs of skin aging, treatment options, and cost.ResultsAmong all the patients coming for dermatologists' consultation, 10%‐40% were for antiaging treatment. About 70% dermatologists opined that majority of patients aged 30‐40 years consulted for antiaging treatment, and the male to female ratio was 3:7. Approximately 46% of dermatologists felt that antiaging treatment should be initiated by the age of 30. Common signs of aging were wrinkles, pigmentation, dull skin or complexion, and dry skin. Based on patient's age and sex, dermatologists prescribed a combination of 2‐4 products, which included antioxidants, retinoids, growth factors, and moisturizers. Improvement was assessed by photographic and clinical evaluation, and by patients' satisfaction (55%). Effect of the antiaging products was evident within 4‐6 months. Earliest improvement was noted in dry skin and dull complexion. Average extent of improvement noted by 6 months was approximately 20%‐30%. The average monthly expenditure on antiaging treatments was 2000‐4000 INR.ConclusionBoth men and women seek clinical treatment for skin aging in India. Dermatologists prescribe a combination of 2‐4 products, including antioxidants, retinoids, growth factors, and moisturizers. Available antiaging therapies show an average improvement of up to 30% by 6 months.

Objective:To optimize the use of phenobarbital and/or phenytoin as frontline drugs for treatment of childhood epilepsy.Design:Before-and -after study.Setting:Epilepsy clinic at paediatric OPD, Sassoon General Hospital, Pune.Materials and Methods:Epilepsy is a condition in which seizures are triggered recurrently from within the brain. For epidemiological classification purpose epilepsy is considered to be present when two or more unprovoked seizures occur at an interval greater than twenty four hours apart. Seizures were classified as generalized and partial seizures, with underlying etiology investigated with EEG, CT scan in majority of the patients. Follow - up rate, seizure - control and antiepileptic drugs used among 151 children enrolled as on 31 March 2005 were compared with 106 children with new onset epilepsy enrolled as on February 2006. Eight children with breakthrough convulsion after a seizure free period of five to eighteen months were followed up after injection vitamin D. Nineteen children with poor control of seizures receiving polytherapy with newer antiepileptic drugs were assessed with frontline antiepileptic medication of phenobarbital and/or phenytoin. Serum calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase were done in seventy two consecutive children with seizure disorder.Results:During post protocol period good seizure control was achieved in 84.8% as against 80.7% and use of phenobarbital and/or phenytoin increased to 65.11% from 22.87%. Of the 8 cases with breakthrough seizures seven remained seizure free after vitamin D administration and with no dose enhancement of AED medications of the nineteen. Children receiving polytherapy thirteen children could be successfully switched to phenobarbital and/or phenytoin. Forty four (61%) children had hypocalcemia (less than 9 mg%), fifty seven (79%) children had raised alkaline phosphatase levels (more than 270 IU).Comments:Phenobarbital and/or phenytoin have been found to be effective frontline AED. Periodic administration of vitamin D plays a supportive role.

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