therapy for their reliable removal. Standard methods of treatment often give unpredictable results, are accompanied by various complications, and require the use of expensive equipment. AIM: To investigate the efficacy and safety of intralesional injection of a combination of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and betamethasone for the treatment of keloids and hypertrophic scars. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study involved 26 patients who were divided into two equal groups. Patients in group A received intralesional injections of betamethasone, and those in group B received 5-FU and betamethasone. Three injections were performed with an interval of 3 weeks. The scars were assessed at the beginning of the treatment, on the 3rd and 6th week during the treatment, and 4 and 16 weeks after the end of the treatment. The dynamics of scar condition was evaluated by the average decrease in the scar height and density, changes in subjective sensations, and the presence or absence of complications. RESULTS: At 4 weeks after the end of the therapy, the total effectiveness of reducing the initial scar height was significantly higher in group B (10 patients; 76.9%) than in group A (6; 46.1%). In the comparison of long-term results at 16 weeks after treatment, 92.3% of the patients from group B and 53.8% of the patients from group A showed cessation of scar growth, flattening and softening, diminished itching and pain, smoothing of the scar contour, and a decrease in the color of the border between the scar and surrounding tissues. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of betamethasone with 5-FU is safer and more effective than monotherapy with betamethasone or 5-FU in the treatment of keloid and hypertrophic scars, with a faster and more pronounced decrease in the height and density of the scar, erythema, and subjective sensations. This mode of therapy is characterized by a low relapse rate with prolonged follow-up. The article is of interest to practicing cosmetologists, dermatologists, and plastic surgeons.

Skin hyperpigmentation is one of the most common conditions that attract the attention of both the dermatologists and the cosmetologists since the cosmetic defects associated with this pathology are known to greatly deteriorate the quality of life of the patients. This article presents information about the most popular modern methods for the correction of non-neoplastic melanin hyperpigmentation of the skin. The main trends in the application of the external agents, laser and light therapy as well as the possibility of the combination of some of these techniques are considered. Methods: A total of 24 patients presenting with various clinical forms of non-neoplastic melanin hyperpigmentation of the skin aged from 25 to 62 years were under supervision in the present study. The pathological process was mainly localized on the face, the neckline and the back of the hands in 21 (87.5%) patients, on the skin of the trunk and the extremities in 3 (12.5%) ones. All the patients received topical therapy with the use of the products containing glycolic acid and ascorbic acids in the form of both drug monotherapy and its combination with laser therapy (at a wavelength of 1064 nm). Results: The study has demonstrated that the topical application of the products containing glycolic acid and ascorbic acid as a monotherapy provides a highly efficacious and safe method for the aesthetic correction of skin hyperpigmentation. However, its combination with laser therapy (at a wavelength of 1064 nm) produces a significantly higher therapeutic effect as confirmed by the present study.