Assessing Complications in Lip Augmentation With Dermal Fillers

Assessing Complications in Lip Augmentation With Dermal Fillers

Lip augmentation through dermal filler injections has become increasingly popular as a noninvasive cosmetic procedure. However, with this rise in popularity comes a parallel increase in complications associated with lip filler treatments. Understanding these complications and their management is crucial for practitioners in the field of cosmetic dermatology and aesthetic medicine.

A recent review of existing literature published in The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology aimed to evaluate complications secondary to lip augmentation following nonpermanent dermal filler injections.

The study, which utilized a thorough MEDLINE literature search, focused on cases reporting complications related to lip filler injections. Among the 53 cases studied, researchers identified a total of 82 complications. Hyaluronic acid (HA) filler was the most commonly used filler in the lip region, either alone or in combination with other soft tissue fillers. Notably, complications were most frequently associated with HA fillers, which could be attributed to their widespread use in lip augmentation procedures. Nodule formation was the most common complication across all 3 filler types. Additionally, complications such as migration, discoloration, and herpetic outbreaks were reported following filler placement in the lip area.

“It is clear that filler treatments carry a variety of risks, thus it becomes of utmost importance to truly understand the product we are working with, its properties, its associated risks, and how to manage those risks,” concluded the study authors. “We have to ensure that patients are adequately informed about the risks associated, and understand what those risks entail.”

Reference

Diwan Z, Trikha S, Etemad-Shahidi S, Parrish N, Rennie C. Evaluation of current literature on complications secondary to lip augmentation following dermal filler injection. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2023;16(7):26-33.

Importance of Treating Acne in Patients Seeking Aesthetic Procedures

In a recent study, published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, the treatment of acne in patients seeking aesthetic procedures was highlighted as a crucial aspect of overall patient care.

The study emphasized the significance of considering acne treatment in these patients, as the prevalence of acne vulgaris among adult women is estimated to be as high as 54%. This indicates that many patients presenting for cosmetic treatments also have acne.

The researchers discussed the range of available treatment options for acne vulgaris in patients undergoing aesthetic procedures, including topical medications, injectable products, chemical peels, and energy-based devices such as intense pulsed light and laser therapy. Most of these treatment modalities are compatible with rejuvenation procedures commonly sought by patients. The researchers aimed to provide an ethical and evidence-based educational program for physicians and health care providers to advance patient care.

The discussion also revealed the impact of social media, particularly platforms like TikTok, which have become significant sources of information about acne. Unfortunately, much of the available information on these platforms is unreliable, underscoring the need for physicians to correct misinformation and misconceptions among patients.

To optimize treatment outcomes, the aesthetic approach to acne should consider the patient’s skin holistically. It is crucial to understand the patient’s history, current acne treatments, hormonal therapy, skin care routine, and the impact of menstrual cycles on acne. Individualized treatment plans should be developed, which may include topical medications, systemic antibiotics, hormonal agents, or even oral isotretinoin for severe cases.

“The growth of social media is raising awareness of aesthetic procedures and appears to be increasing the number of patients seeking aesthetic treatment,” concluded the study authors. “Educating patients about the importance of treating acne vulgaris can improve overall treatment outcomes. In most instances, the presence of acne is not a barrier to aesthetic care.”

Reference

Fabi SG, Beleznay K, Berson DS, Cohen JL, Lee S, Dayan SH. Treatment of acne in the aesthetic patient: a round table update. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2023;22(9):2391-2398. doi:10.1111/jocd.15913

Impact of the Gut and Skin Microbiome in Alopecia

According to a study published in the Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, interventions targeting dysbiosis may potentially assist in the treatment and management of hair loss.

Researchers aimed to explore the current literature on the gut-skin connection in alopecia to summarize interventions that impact hair growth through modulation of the gut or skin microbiome. They focused on various forms of alopecia, including alopecia areata, androgenic alopecia, alopecia universalis, central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia, and lichen planopilaris. PubMed searches were conducted, filtering for human and animal studies, excluding non-English articles and those assessing supplemental therapies for alopecia.

The findings suggest that alterations in the scalp, hair follicle, and gut microbiome are associated with different types of alopecia. Notably, dysbiosis in these areas appears to play a role in the pathophysiology of alopecia. The review highlights the potential of interventions targeting microbiome dysbiosis, such as fecal transplants and probiotics, in influencing hair growth. However, the study acknowledged limitations in the current state of research in this field.

“Dysbiosis on the scalp, within the hair follicle and the gut seem to have a role in the pathophysiology of various forms of alopecia,” the authors stated, “Further studies are needed to establish a direct connection and to clarify specific effects of these interventions.”

Reference

Carrington AE, Maloh J, Nong Y, Agbai ON, Bodemer AA, Sivamani RK. The gut and skin microbiome in alopecia: associations and interventions. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2023;16(10):59-64.

Atopic Dermatitis Associated With Reduced Lung Function in Infants

A recent study, published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, examined the intricacies of lung function in infants affected by atopic dermatitis (AD), shedding light on AD’s potential progression to asthma.

In this prospective cross-sectional study, 230 infants were enrolled, bifurcated into 2 groups: 150 with AD and 80 constituting a cohort of healthy controls (HCs). Notably, the study delved into the realm of food sensitivity, evaluated via food-specific IgE or the skin prick test, and the severity of AD, assessed utilizing the SCORing Atopic Dermatitis tool. However, the research’s distinctive facet was the implementation of tidal breath analysis (TBA) as a tool to gauge lung function.

Several TBA parameters, including time to peak tidal expiratory flow, exhaled volume to peak tidal expiratory flow, and respiratory rate, displayed marked disparities between the AD group and the HC group, exhibiting a significance level of P < .05 and establishing a clear and intriguing correlation between AD and infant lung function.

Moreover, the study revealed that bronchial obstruction, a pertinent marker of potential future respiratory issues, was discernible in young children with AD. This outcome held true, irrespective of disease severity, the presence of food sensitivity, or a history of recurrent wheezing. These findings postulate a compelling argument in favor of early monitoring and intervention to address lung-related complications in infants diagnosed with AD, potentially mitigating the likelihood of progression to asthma in later stages of life.

A standout discovery was the potential diagnostic value of the ratio of time to peak tidal expiratory flow to total expiratory time. This parameter demonstrated an impressive diagnostic capacity, boasting an area under the curve of 0.826. This statistic underscores its viability as a diagnostic tool, being characterized by a sensitivity of 78.7% and a specificity of 77.5%.

“TBA curves can be a useful tool for demonstrating expiratory airway obstruction in AD and for providing objective information for the clinician,” concluded the study authors. “Bronchial obstruction was detected in young children with AD irrespective of the severity of the disease, food sensitivity, and history of recurrent wheezing.”

Reference

Gulec Koksal Z, Uysal P. Beyond the skin: reduced lung function associated with atopic dermatitis in infants. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2023;11(9):2839-2847. doi:10.1016/j.jaip.2023.06.055

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