ABSTRACTBackgroundMelasma is a common acquired pigmentation disorder, with a high incidence rate in women. Owing to the complex pathogenesis of melasma, there is currently no unified treatment. Advanced optimal pulse technology with low energy, three pulses, and long pulse width (AOPT‐LTL) is a treatment technique based on the photomodulatory effect of optimal pulse technology (OPT), which has been used in the treatment of sensitive skin and rosacea.AimsTo evaluate the efficacy and safety of AOPT‐LTL for the treatment of melasma.MethodsTwenty‐five Chinese females with melasma were enrolled. AOPT‐LTL treatments were delivered at 2‐week intervals. The melasma area and severity index (MASI) score, clinician erythema assessment (CEA) score, clinical efficacy, incidence of adverse reactions, and patient satisfaction were compared between baseline and post‐treatment.ResultsAll patients were treated and followed up. After 1 month of treatment, skin inflammation decreased, and pigmentation started to fade. With continued treatment, the inflammation progressively reduced, the affected area became smaller, and pigmentation lightened further. After the first course of treatment, 19 patients had a declined rate of MASI (MDR) >20%, and the effective rate was 76%. At the end of treatment, the MASI score and CEA score of all patients decreased significantly. Moreover, the MDR of all patients was >20%, and the effective rate of treatment was 100%. During treatment, all patients had no obvious adverse reactions, no recurrence after follow‐up for 3 months, and patient satisfaction was high.ConclusionsAOPT‐LTL is effective and safe for treating melasma.

Correction to "Augmenting pigmented lesion assay results with the three-point dermoscopy checklist to improve pigmented lesion triage.

ABSTRACTBackgroundWith increasing life expectancy, the aging population, particularly in Asia, is expanding rapidly. Combined with intense year‐round ultraviolet exposure, this accelerates skin aging. Male skin also exhibits distinct aging characteristics. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the Genistein Plus Bakuchiol and Vitamins (GEN+) product on male facial skin.Materials and MethodsA randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial was conducted in men aged 45–65 years. Participants were assigned to receive either the GEN+ or placebo (PLA) product in a 1:1 ratio and applied the product twice daily for 12 weeks. Facial skin assessments were performed at baseline and at weeks 4, 8, and 12. Evaluated parameters included skin color and consistency, spots, pigmentation, redness, acne, elasticity, hydration, barrier function, and wrinkles. Compliance and satisfaction were also monitored.ResultsEighty male participants were enrolled (GEN+: n = 40; PLA: n = 40). After 12 weeks, the GEN+ group demonstrated significant improvements in cheek skin lightening (MD = 0.55, 95% CI: 0.03 to 1.08, p = 0.04) and color consistency (MD = –0.56, 95% CI: –1.06 to –0.06, p = 0.03), along with a reduction in forehead spots (MD = –0.60, 95% CI: –1.15 to –0.06, p = 0.03). No significant differences were observed in melanin‐, erythema‐, or acne‐related parameters. Skin property parameters did not differ significantly between groups, except for skin roughness. Adverse events were mild and self‐resolving. While satisfaction scores did not differ significantly, the GEN+ group reported higher scores across most domains.ConclusionThe GEN+ product demonstrated promising improvements in male facial skin appearance, including skin lightening, color consistency, and spot reduction. The product was well‐tolerated and offered a safe, targeted skincare solution for men.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov identifier: TCTR20240312001

ABSTRACTBackgroundThis study aimed to establish a novel method for evaluating ultraviolet (UV) protection efficacy on hair, focusing on the relationship between sun protection factor (SPF) and UV‐induced hair color changes. We propose a hair SPF (HSPF) that measures the extent of hair color change following UV irradiation.Materials and MethodsIn in vitro tests, we used UV standard samples with known SPF values (P2, P5, and P8) to construct a standard curve according to hair color changes before and after UV irradiation. Hair samples were analyzed using the CIELAB color space system, calculating the ΔE value to represent the color difference. To assess the UV protection properties of various hair care formulations (oils, essences, and balms), we compared their HSPF with the standard curve. Meanwhile, in vivo tests followed the ISO 24444 guidelines, involving ten participants to validate the correlation between the in vitro and in vivo methods.ResultsHigher SPF products resulted in smaller ΔE values, indicating less color fading and greater protection. The in vitro HSPF values strongly correlated with the in vivo SPF results, particularly for oils and balms (R2 = 0.734). However, formulations with high‐moisture content exhibited lower correlation.ConclusionThe HSPF offers a new perspective on the level of hair protection from UV damage and may be promising for the future development and efficacy testing of UV protection products for hair.

ABSTRACTBackgroundMelanosis is an acquired hyperpigmentation disorder that can be associated with the use of medications; timely identification and discontinuation of relevant medications is an important aspect of clinical management.ObjectiveThis study investigates the relationship between melanosis and drug exposure based on data from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) database. We sought to determine the top drugs reported in association with melanosis in the FAERS.MethodsA retrospective analysis of FAERS data from January 2004 to June 2024 was conducted to identify reports related to melanosis, using the Comprehensive Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities (MedDRA) terminology. A total of 18 182 912 independent adverse event reports were processed, and signal mining analyses were performed to detect associations between drugs and melanosis. Disproportionality analyses were conducted using four algorithms: reporting odds ratio (ROR), proportional reporting ratio (PRR), Bayesian confidence propagation neural network (BCPNN), and multi‐item gamma Poisson shrinker (MGPS). The most frequently reported drugs and their associated adverse event reports were analyzed.ResultsHundred and one reports related to melanosis were screened, involving 73 drug names as primary suspect (PS). By combining and organizing the different names of drugs such as trade names and generic names, 66 drugs were obtained. The top five drugs associated with melanosis were talimogene laherparepvec (ROR: 1891.39), followed by ferrous sulfate (ROR: 997.14), minocycline (ROR: 176.05), vemurafenib (ROR: 97.64), and pembrolizumab (ROR: 19.73).ConclusionPatients who experience drug‐induced melanosis generally have bad outcomes, underscoring the imperative for heightened clinical surveillance regarding the risk of drug‐induced melanosis.