Clinical characteristics of rosacea in perimenopausal women
Today’s report also covers research into recommendations for vulvar carcinoma in elderly women, lip aging features in Korean women, and more (1,120 words, 5.5 minutes)
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Good morning, and welcome to the Women in Dermatology e-newsletter from Chronicle Companies. We’re pleased to have you join us. This biweekly bulletin will update you on new findings regarding dermatologic issues that affect women and the female dermatologists who care for them. We welcome your feedback and opinions, so let us know if you have any comments, observations, or suggestions. You can email them to us at health@chronicle.org
In a recent study in Skin Research and Technology (Jan. 2024; 30(1):e13542), researchers examined the impact of perimenopause on rosacea severity, assessing the potential association between hormonal changes and the severity of this chronic skin condition. The researchers collected data from 59 patients in the dermatology outpatient department of West China Hospital from Jan. 2022 to Jan. 2023.
The participants, ranging in age from 45 to 55 years, had persistent erythematotelangiectatic rosacea (ETR), with 71.2% experiencing moderate to severe ETR. Additionally, 57.6% developed papulopustular rosacea.
Authors also assessed the quality of life using the Dermatology Quality of Life Index and Rosacea-specific Quality-of-Life instrument. The results showed the quality of life of perimenopausal women with rosacea was significantly affected by the condition. For example, 45.8% of participants experienced anxiety, and 40.0% experienced depression, highlighting the psychological toll of rosacea on perimenopausal patients.
Additionally, blood analyses revealed an association between estradiol (E2) levels and ETR severity, indicating that lower E2 levels are associated with more severe ETR. The authors suggest that estrogen might have a crucial role in maintaining optimal skin physiology, and the decline in estrogen during perimenopause may contribute to increased rosacea incidence and severity.
Bottom line
Rosacea significantly affects the quality of life of perimenopausal women. Perimenopausal women with rosacea are likely to experience anxiety and depression as a consequence of the condition. Lower E2 levels might be associated with more severe rosacea. The findings highlight the psychological toll of perimenopausal rosacea and suggest estrogen could have an important role in skin physiology.
Recommendations for the prevention of vulvar carcinoma in elderly women
Research published in the International Journal of Women’s Dermatology provided recommendations for the prevention of and guidelines for the multidisciplinary care of vulvar carcinoma in elderly women. The researchers categorize the recommendations into primary, secondary, and tertiary recommendations. Primary prevention strategies consist of smoking cessation and vaccination. Secondary prevention strategies consist of annual genital examinations and complete physical examinations. Finally, tertiary recommendations are aimed at the management of premalignant and early-stage lesions and include surgery or vulvar tissue-sparing techniques to minimize psychological, social, and sexual complications. Additionally, they recommend physicians take a biopsy of any clinically suspicious, evolving, or growing lesion of the vulva. The authors emphasize that elderly women with vulvar carcinoma experience disparities in aggressive cancer therapies and preventive strategies.
A pilot study examining a double-conjugated, retinoid-based skin care regimen for darker, blemish-prone skin
A study published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology assessed the efficacy and tolerability of double-conjugated retinoid serum for blemish-prone skin (AHARet-SA) in combination with exfoliating peel pads in women with mild-to-moderate blemish-prone skin. The researchers found that combining a double-conjugated retinoid serum with exfoliating peel pads significantly improved skin clarity and texture and reduced blemishes in women with mild-to-moderate blemish-prone skin. For this pilot study, participants used a combination of AHARet-SA, exfoliating peel pads containing glycolic, lactic, and salicylic acids; a cleanser, a mineral-based sunscreen, and a lightweight moisturizer over 12 weeks. The results showed a significant improvement in skin clarity, tone, and pore size by week 12. Adverse effects were mild, with most participants reporting enhanced skin appearance and texture.
The recommended solution for women with Afro-textured hair to alleviate dandruff and scalp discomfort
A study in the Journal of Dermatology evaluated the mechanisms behind scalp discomfort and dandruff in women of African descent before and after hair washing. The researchers found that dandruff severity peaks one week after hair washing and is linked to higher levels of Malassezia yeasts and bacteria. They also found that higher colonization of Malassezia and bacteria is associated with dandruff, regardless of the specific time point, indicating the scalp microbiome contributes to dandruff pathophysiology.
The study was conducted in Durban, South Africa, over three weeks and included 60 women between 20 and 40 years of age. Results revealed that itching was the predominant discomfort among participants, improving after one hair wash, but the benefits were not sustained after one week. The authors recommend weekly hair washing for long-term dandruff and scalp itch management.
Image-based investigation of lip aging features in a large number of Korean women
Research in Skin Research and Technology examined the lip characteristics of Korean women to study the visual changes of aging lips. The researchers found that lip height and colours significantly decreased, while lip width, ratio, and wrinkles significantly increased with aging.
For this study, the authors analyzed high-resolution images of 1,000 Korean women between 20 and 69 years of age and extracted 11 lip indices through image processing methods, including facial landmark detection, pattern recognition, and colour quantification.
VIDEO: How to treat hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) with Dr. Jennifer Hsiao and HS advocate Mario Otero
Los Angeles-based dermatologist Dr. Jennifer Hsiao provides an in-depth overview of treatment options for HS, including biologics, hormonal therapies, oral medications, antibiotics, and clinical trials. Mario Otero, an HS advocate, joins the conversation from a patient perspective to talk about his experience participating in clinical trials.
A case of a painful erythematous plaque on the abdomen of a woman with ipsilateral breast cancer
A case study published in Journal der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft described a woman in her 60s who presented a painful red lesion on her left upper abdomen. She had had the mark since childhood, but it used to be skin-coloured and not painful until one week before she visited the doctor. The lesion also had a central nipple-like bump. She had a medical history of invasive ductal carcinoma of the left breast, which was diagnosed four years earlier and treated with a partial mastectomy, chemoradiotherapy, and hormonal therapy. A CT revealed no signs of local cancer recurrence or metastases. The patient was diagnosed with dermatofibroma, and her doctors performed a narrow-margin excision of the lesion.
“'With time, we can develop sleep wrinkles or loss of volume on the face if we consistently sleep on our side or on our belly. By switching to back sleeping, this reduces the pressure on the face and thus reduces sleep wrinkles and volume loss.”
— Dr. Lindsey Zubritsky, a dermatologist based in Ocean Springs, Miss., in an interview with the Daily Mail newspaper.
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