The COVID-19 pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, has changed the homeostasis of the medical world. In this critical phase, in addition to the general recommendations issued by World Health Organization (WHO) for medical practitioners and health care givers, certain other precautions and safe care practices need to be emphasized which are unique to each branch of medicine. Aesthetic dermatology is no exception. With aesthetic treatments on the rise, it is pertinent to formulate safe practices for aesthetic dermatology to protect the doctor, health staff and the patients from getting exposed during this phase and in the aftermath of the pandemic. Recommendations for surgical and dental procedures advice to defer such procedures. This can be extrapolated to aesthetic dermatology also, but once health care services start, there should be some safety recommendations to be followed until we have definitive management or a vaccine for it.

Context:Hair plays an important role in one's personality and builds confidence. Now-a-days, chemical hair relaxers are used very commonly in the society. We document the adverse effects reported by the sample that have used any one of the professional chemical hair relaxers.Aim:To study the adverse effects reported by the sample who underwent repeated chemical hair relaxing.Settings and Design:Cross-sectional questionnaire based study done on a sample taken from a medical college and hospital campus in Mangalore.Materials and Methods:The sample was restricted to females and to those who underwent it more than once. A questionnaire was given to a sample of 90, which matched our criteria.Statistical Analysis:SPSS software 17.Results:Adverse effects reported by the sample after undergoing the procedure were found to be a high 95.56%, out of which the following are the common adverse effects reported; frizzy hair in 67%, dandruff in 61%, hair loss in 47%, thinning and weakening of hair in 40%, greying of hair 22%, and split ends in only 17%.Conclusions:Very few studies have been conducted on the adverse effects of hair straightening products in India. From our study, it can be stated that most of the samples had adverse effects, which was as high as 95.56%. Hence from the details elicited from this study, we can conclude that, usage of chemical hair relaxers does cause adverse effects and is “not a myth.” Thus, it is necessary to make available a less harmful chemical hair relaxer to the society.

INTRODUCTIONMelasma is an acquired, symmetrical hypermelanosis of the face and is particularly seen in women with skin types IV to VI living in areas with intense UV radiation. The exact etiopathogenesis is unknown. However, various etiological factors proposed in the literatureinclude sun exposure, pregnancy, hormonal therapy, genetic factors and vascular factors. Various treatment modalities such as topical depigmenting agents, chemical peels, dermabrasion and laser therapies have been utilised with varying, not so satisfactory outcomes. [2][3][4][5] Tranexamic acid, (TXA) a plasmin inhibitor, is now gaining popularity as a depigmenting agent. TXA prevents the binding of plasminogen to the keratinocytes, which ultimately results in less free arachidonic acids and thus inhibits UV-induced plasmin activity in keratinocytes.6 Oral TXA also produces significant decrease in the mMASI in melasma patients.7 TXA administered intradermally is effective for dermal and mixed variants of melasma. TXA is a safe and well ABSTRACT Background: Melasma is an acquired hypermelanosis affecting the sun-exposed areas of the skin, most commonly the face and neck. Different treatment modalities have been utilized in different studies with varying, not so satisfactory outcomes. The aim of the study was to compare the efficacy of localized intradermal microinjection of tranexamic acid with oral tranexamic acid in melasma patients. Methods: It is a prospective comparative study. All patients enrolled in the study were divided into 2 groups -twenty in each treatment group. In group A, patients were given intradermal injections of tranexamic acid (4 mg/ml) once at three week intervals (0, 3, 6, 9, 12 weeks) for 12 weeks. Group B patients were given oral tranexamic acid 250 mg twice a day for 12 weeks. Following parameters were evaluated before and after 12 weeks of treatment: a) digital photographs b) MASI score c) patient subjective assessment d) dermoscopic photographs. Software (SPSS, version 16.0 statistical packages) was used. Results: Clinical efficacy of the treatment in 2 different groups showed higher efficacy with intradermal microinjection (35.6%) compare to oral tranexamic acid (21.7%). Patient's subjective assessment showed good improvement in 63.15% of cases in group A, whereas in group B 27.8% of cases showed good improvement. Conclusions: Intralesional localized microinjection of tranexamic acid is a promising new therapeutic modality for the treatment of resistant melasma.

Summary Background Platelet‐rich plasma is rich in growth factors that promote differentiation and growth of dermal papilla cells by various signaling pathways. Dermoscopy is handy, bedside tool that helps to improve diagnostic accuracy in various hair disorders. Objectives To evaluate and study the role of dermoscopy in patients with androgenetic alopecia (AGA) pre‐ and posttreatment with platelet‐rich plasma (PRP). Methods It is a prospective comparative study. Twenty male patients with AGA, aged 18‐45 years with modified Norwood‐Hamilton classification grade II‐VI were included in this study. Patients were given platelet‐rich plasma injections every 3 week for a period of 3 months. Dermoscopy was performed with 10 x magnifications in polarized mode at baseline and at 3 months from the baseline and photographs were taken. Patients were evaluated based on following dermoscopic findings (a) hair count, (b) hair density, (c) hair diameter diversity, perifollicular pigmentation, yellow dots, multi‐hair follicular units, honeycomb pigment pattern and white dots, (d) patient's hair growth assessment score. Results Posttherapy, patients showed significant improvement in hair count (27.4%), hair diversity (84.2%), increase in number of thick, terminals hairs, reduction in yellow dots (60%), perifollicular pigmentation (92.3%) was appreciated. Hair pull test negative after treatment in 10 patients (50%). Patient's hair growth assessment score showed 50%‐75% improvement in 7 (35%) patients. Conclusion Dermoscopy helps to easily evaluate and compare the therapeutic response pre‐ and posttreatment which can be easily documented and visualized at every visit.

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is being used as a treatment modality for skin rejuvenation since the last decade. There has been a lot of ambiguity regarding the ideal protocol to be followed and the specific indications where its use should be promoted. The use of PRP as monotherapy for skin rejuvenation, acne scars, periorbital rejuvenation, lipofilling and in combination with fractional CO 2 and other resurfacing modalities is increasing rapidly. In this article, we have reviewed the current scientific evidence available and the IADVL national task force for PRP has come up with standard recommendations for use of PRP in esthetics along with the grade of evidence and strength of recommendation for each indication. The aim of this review is to provide a standard protocol for use of PRP in esthetics, for clinicians and academicians, leading to excellent results with this promising treatment modality.