Dermatology and Cosmetic

Editorial Note

Alireza Firooz

The relationship of self-compassion and experiential avoidance with quality of life in patients with vitiligo

Fariba Jaffary

Background and Aim: Vitiligo is a prevalent depigmentaling skin disorder, which has a great impact on the quality of life of patients. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship of quality of life of these patients with self-compassion and experiential avoidance.

Methods: In this analytical cross-sectional study, Self-Compassion Scale (SCS), Second Edition of Acceptance and Action Questionnaire (AAQ-II), and Vitiligo Quality of Life Index (VitiQoL) were completed by 105 patients with vitiligo (49.5% male) who were selected through available sampling method. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation coefficient, t-test, ANOVA and covariance analysis.

Results: The average of quality of life score of the participants in the study was 32.14. There was a significant relationship (P<0.01) of the quality of life scores with the scores of experiential avoidance (R=0.28), self-judgment (R=0.36), isolation (R=0.52) and extreme identification (R=0.42). After removing the confounding effect of the variables on each other, the relationship of quality of life score with the location of the lesion (P=0.04) and isolation score (P=0.001) was significant.

Conclusion: Self-compassion and experiential avoidance play an important role in the quality of life of patients with vitiligo, and targeting these two components through psychological treatments can be effective in improving the quality of life of these patients.

Efficacy of Pistacia atlantica extract in the treatment of acne

Mohammad Ebrahimzadeh Ardekani

Background and Aim: The use of medicinal herbs for the treatment of skin disease, such as acne, has a long history. The extract of Pistaca atlantica is used to treat various diseases. This study was designed to evaluate the short-term efficacy and safety of Pistaca atlantica extract for the treatment of mild to moderate acne.
Methods: This clinical trial was performed on 60 patients with mild to moderate acne, who where randomly divided into two groups. After obtaining informed consent, volunteers in the case group received a topical extract of 15% Pistaca Atlantica once daily for 6 weeks. In the control group, placebo was given in the same way. Patients were evaluated for the number of lesions at the beginning, and 3 and 6 weeks after treatment.
Results: At the end of study, the mean reduction in lesions was 59.93% in the Pistaca atlantica group and -11.46% in the control group. Also Skin softness and lucidity were observed in the Pistaca atlantica group.
Conclusion: This clinical study showed that topical treatment with Pistaca atlantica extract can be recommended to improve mild to moderate acne. However, a longer study with larger sample size is needed to achieve a comprehensive evaluation of the efficacy and safety of this plant.

Cognitive, emotional and behavioral dimensions of body image in women interested in cosmetic surgery

Negar Sadeghi

Background and Aim: The cosmetic surgery is one of the prevalent phenomenons in recent decades. Body image is a key factor for interest in cosmetic surgery, but body image is a multidimensional concept and all its dimensions should be studied. This study aimed to study cognitive, emotional and behavioral dimensions of body image in women interested in cosmetic surgery.

Methods: This study was a cross-sectional research with causal-comparative method. A sample of 600 female students, age 18 to 35 years, were selected from universities in Tehran by using multi-stage cluster random sampling methid, who completed a set of questionnaires including “Beliefs About Appearance Scale (BAAS)“, “Body Areas Satisfaction Scale (BASS)“, “the Body Image Coping Strategies Inventory (BICSI)“ and Acceptance of Cosmetic Surgery Scale (ACSS). The collected data were analyzed by multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA).

Results: The students who were interested in cosmetic surgery got a higher score in components of body investment as cognitive dimension and body dissatisfaction as emotional dimension. Among the three behavioral components of body image, there was significant difference only in appearance fixing coping (P<0.0001) and there were no significant differences in acceptance and avoidant strategies between students.

Conclusion: All of the cognitive, emotional and behavioral dimensions of body image are important in cosmetic surgery, and women interested in cosmetic surgery not only had body dissatisfaction, but also had dysfunctional attitudes about appearance important in interpersonal relationships, personal achievement and self-concept, and used strategies based on body modification. These findings can be used in prevention and intervention programs.

Accuracy of high frequency ultrasonography in determining free margins of basal cell carcinoma of face

Mansour Nasiri Kash

Background and Aim: Preoperative assessment of skin tumors extensions have a potential role to increase the efficiency of surgery and maximal preservation of function and cosmetics in the treatment of invasive types of basal cell carcinoma (BCC).
Methods: A total of 72 patients with BCCs on face were included in the study. Gross maximal width of tumors were documented, and then high frequency ultrasonic (HFUS) maximal width and depth of these lesions were determined. Then conventional surgical excision was done and these margins were determined in pathology lab. The comparison of ultrasonic and pathologic depth, and difference of HFUS and pathologic widths from gross clinical width were done with paired t-test.
Results: The mean depth of BCCs were 3.09 mm (SD= 1.02) in HFUS and 2.86 mm (SD=1.22) in pathology (P=0.1). The mean difference from gross width were 4.05 mm (SD=1.18) in HFUS and 4.26 mm (SD=1.70) in pathology (P=0.09).
Conclusions: High frequency sonography has a good accuracy in detection of width and depth of BCCs of face, especially in tumors smaller than 10 mm, and can help to determine safe margins non-invasively, especially in cosmetic and functional critical areas.

Mechanisms of developement and metastasis of malignant melanoma

Javid Taghinejad

Cancer is a genetic condition. Some cancers are inherited, but most are caused by mutations in somatic cells. The cause of these mutations is inherent error in the transcription of DNA or exposure to carcinogens. Malignant melanoma is the most serious type of skin cancer which develops from pigment-containing cells known as melanocytes. The most potent risk factors for melanoma is the presence of multiple benign moles or abnormal spots, and family history of melanoma. Metastasis is a complex multi-stage process that results in development of secondary malignant growths and the spread of cancer cells to other areas of the body leading to patient’s death. Melanoma metastases are mainly to the lymph nodes, liver, lungs, and central nervous system. The aim of this article is to review the mechanisms of development and metastasis of melanoma by searching database such as SID, Google Scholar, American Electronic Library,Springer and PubMed.

Cheek dimple creation: techniques and complications

Mehdi Ghoncheh

Cheek dimple is one feature of attractive and beautiful face. It may be natural or may be created by surgery. In this article, the surgical techniques and complications of cheek dimple creation have been reviewed.

Idiopathic granulomatous mastitis: A case report

Khadijeh Tavakoli

Introduction: Idiopathic granulomatous mastitis (IGM) is a rare benign breast disease. The importance of this disease relies on its similar clinical manifestation to those of mammary carcinoma and a group of mastitis with other causes.

Case Report: The patient was a 32-year-old woman, that suddenly got fever, pain and swelling in left breast. In examination several masses were felt. Performed core needle biopsy reported IGM.

Conclusion: Similarity of clinical presentations and diagnostic tests to the other kinds of mastitis and malignancies may lead to misdiagnosis and mistreatment, which imposes socioeconomic and psychological burden to patients.