The impact of lifestyle on skin hydration in young women
Today’s report also covers research into maternal dupilumab exposure and pregnancy outcomes, serum decorin levels and acne vulgaris in women with PCOS, and more (1,490 words, 7 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 published in New Advances in Medical and Cosmetic Dermatology (Jan. 2024; 11(1):13), researchers investigated skin hydration levels in different body areas in female university students using corneometry. The participants, 84 young female students of the Physiotherapy Department at Wroclaw University of Health and Sports Sciences in Poland, were divided into four groups based on the examined skin area: facial skin, neck skin, neckline skin, and skin on the thigh and calf.
To complete the assessment, the authors collected data on demographics, water intake, skincare habits, and exercise habits. Skin hydration was measured using a corneometer, which evaluates skin hydration levels by measuring electrical conductivity. The participants were instructed to refrain from applying cosmetics, including moisturizers, on the day before the examination.
The researchers performed skin corneometry at specific locations on the face: cheek, forehead, and chin; neck: left, right, and middle; neckline: clavicle, right clavicle, and sternum; and lower limb: inside of the thigh and calf. The results revealed that every skin area was characterized by a different hydration level, with the face showing the highest hydration, followed by neckline skin, neck skin, and skin on the leg.
Regarding facial skin, the measurements revealed statistically significant differences in hydration levels between the chin, forehead, and cheek areas. More specifically, the authors noted differences between the chin and the forehead and the chin and cheek. The lower limb area also showed significant differences. The driest skin was observed on the leg, with the skin on the thigh significantly drier than the calf. Additionally, no significant differences were found in hydration measurements among the three points on the neckline.
Finally, the authors note that hydration skin levels were positively associated with water consumption and physical activity. They also write that young women tend to prioritize facial skincare while neglecting other parts of the body. They emphasize a gap in current knowledge about the relationship between skin hydration and regular physical activity.
Bottom line
The study reveals significant differences in skin hydration levels across different body areas in young women. Adequate water consumption and regular physical activity are associated with better skin hydration. The authors note further research is needed to create a comprehensive skin hydration map.
From the literature on women in dermatology,
Do PLLA and HA potentially mimic estrogen effects in skin quality?
Research published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology explored skin aging in menopausal women and the impacts of treatments such as topical 17ß-estradiol, injectable Poly-L-Lactic Acid (PLLA), and hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers on aging skin. The researchers found that these treatments can increase collagen in menopausal women’s skin, improving its quality and firmness. More specifically, the authors found that topical 17ß-estradiol helps make skin thicker by boosting collagen, injectable PLLA promotes collagen formation, and HA fillers enhance skin quality, making it smoother. The study suggests that injectable PLLA and HA fillers could help improve the skin of menopausal women who are unable to use hormonal therapy.
Association of skin microbiome dynamics and radiodermatitis in breast cancer patients
A study published in JAMA Oncology assessed the association between skin microbiome composition and radiodermatitis severity in breast cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy. The researchers found that patients with lower levels of commensal bacteria at baseline are more likely to develop severe radiodermatitis.
The authors examined microbiome samples from 20 female patients for this longitudinal prospective pilot observational study. The results showed that disturbed skin flora increases the risk of radiodermatitis. These findings suggest a potential link between the skin microbiome and severe radiodermatitis pathogenesis.
The association between elevated serum decorin levels and acne vulgaris in women with PCOS
A European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences study analyzed the association between elevated serum decorin levels and acne vulgaris in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The researchers found that elevated decorin levels may contribute to acne in women with PCOS.
The study included 60 patients with acne who were later diagnosed with PCOS and a control group of 20 healthy women. The participants with acne were divided into two groups based on acne severity: moderate or severe. The authors measured decorin, testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and insulin levels. The results showed significantly elevated serum decorin levels in both groups compared to controls and a positive correlation between serum decorin levels and insulin resistance and testosterone levels.
Association between maternal dupilumab exposure and pregnancy outcomes in patients with atopic dermatitis
Research in the Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology assessed the association between dupilumab exposure during pregnancy and adverse outcomes in women with atopic dermatitis. The researchers found that exposure to dupilumab during pregnancy did not significantly increase the risk of adverse pregnancy, neonatal, congenital, or post-partum outcomes.
The authors conducted a multicentre retrospective cohort study across 19 Italian tertiary referral hospitals. They identified 29 female atopic dermatitis patients who had been exposed to dupilumab during pregnancy. The results showed no significant drug-associated risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes. The authors note that the study adds to existing evidence on the safety of biologic agents during pregnancy.
VIDEO: Cancer fundamentals: Dermatology and oncology
Ohio-based dermatologist Dr. Natalie Spaccarelli and internist and medical oncologist Dr. Raquel Reinbolt discuss the intersection of dermatology and oncology, including the dermatologic impact of cancer and related therapies.
A dramatic response to second-line nivolumab and ipilimumab in BRAF-V600-mutated metastatic melanoma
A case report published in Case Reports in Oncology described a 72-year-old woman who underwent surgery for stage 1 melanoma on her right shoulder in 2008. In June 2020, she experienced a cutaneous relapse on the right chest wall, confirming a metastasis of an amelanotic malignant BRAF-V600 E mutated melanoma. After surgically removing the lesion, she received monthly nivolumab from Sept. 2020 to Aug. 2021, with no relapse. Later, she developed angina and severe anemia, and a PET/CT scan identified a nodule in her right lung and a bleeding lesion in the small intestine. After an exploratory laparotomy with small bowel resection, the patient underwent combined dabrafenib and trametinib treatment, which resulted in rapid disease progression. In May 2022, her physicians switched her to a combined nivolumab and ipilimumab treatment, leading to a significant clinical improvement. She was then put on monthly nivolumab as a maintenance therapy, resulting in a complete pulmonary response by March 2023.
Coming Up in Women in Derm
Mar. 8 → Legacy Celebration 2024 - Honouring Dr. Kimberly Butterwick
Mar. 8 to 12 → American Academy of Dermatology Annual Meeting (San Diego)
This month:
February is Black History Month
February is Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) Awareness Month
February is Preventative Health Awareness Month
Feb. 4 is World Cancer Day
Feb. 6 is International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation
Feb. 7 to 14 is Congenital Heart Disease Awareness Week
Feb. 15 is International Childhood Cancer Day
Feb. 19 is Family Day
Something to think about
“Dermatology impacts the Black community at multiple levels. There is a push now for dermatology to be much more inclusive: inclusive in our publications, inclusive in terms of clinical images, because diseases may present one way in lighter skin and they have a slightly different presentation in darker skin types. There's a major DEI push in dermatology at multiple levels, from training physicians of color to diagnosis and treatment of diseases in Black individuals.”
— Dr. Pearl Grimes, a dermatologist based in Los Angeles, in an interview with the website PopSugar.