STL Index for: Lui Harvey

High intensity long-wavelength ultraviolet A (340-400 nm; UVA1) lamps were developed as skin research tools; over time they have proven useful for treating numerous dermatoses. This article discusses the evidence evidence for its use in other skin diseases, including cutaneous T-cell lymphoma and mastocytosis.

Methyl aminolevulinate-hydrochloride cream (Metvix® [in Canada] and Metvixia® [in the US], Galderma) in combination with photodynamic therapy (PDT) provides an effective treatment option for actinic keratoses (AKs), superficial basal cell carcinoma (sBCC), and Bowen’s disease (BD).

Twenty-two percent of women in North America have unwanted facial hair, which can cause embarrassment and result in a significant emotional burden. Eflornithine 13.9% cream can be used in combination with other treatments such as lasers and IPL to give the patient the best chance for successful hair removal.

Hirsutism can cause embarrassment and lead to anxiety and depression. There are a limited number of treatments available that vary in efficacy, degree of discomfort and cost. It is very important to make sure that the patient is aware of all the available treatment modalities, since no one method is effective for all patients or body locations, and results from therapy may not always be satisfactory.

This new compound product containing 50µg/gm calcipotriol and 0.5mg/gm betamethasone dipropionate was recently introduced in Canada for the treatment of psoriasis. Clinical trials demonstrated that this compound was more active than either agent used alone.

Eflornithine HCl 13.9% cream (Vaniqa) is the first topical prescription treatment to be approved for the reduction of unwanted facial hair in women. It irreversibly inhibits ornithine decarboxylase, an enzyme that catalyzes the ratelimiting step for follicular polyamine synthesis, which is necessary for hair growth.

Although PDT remains an investigational treatment modality in dermatology, several important areas of development may ultimately lead to official and practical acceptance of PDT for the skin. Various uses of PDT are evaluated.