'stable vitiligo patches'

Melanocyte transplantation is the latest surgical method for the treatment of stable vitiligo / leucoderma and loss of pigmentation. Melanocytes are the skin cells which produce melanin. A complete absence of skin colour usually means the melanocytes have been destroyed. Thanks to an innovative treatment, it is now possible to take melanocytes from a healthy area of skin and transfer them in a suspension onto the damaged area of skin. This process is not a time consuming, laboratory cell culturing technique but is a process that can be carried out in a clinic in one to three hours. It is important to note that this is not a melanocyte culturing process. Who is suitable for Melanocyte Transplantation? There are two main categories of patients that are most suited to melanocyte transplantation. a) Patients who have white patches on their skin as a result of leucoderma such as piebaldism and halo nevi or after laser tattoo removal or who have dischromia on burn scars. b) Patients who have had stable vitiligo patches for a period of at least 6 months are good candidates to undergo melanocyte transplantation. Vitiligo patients should fulfill the following criteria to be eligible for surgery: 1. Existing patches should not have increased in size. 2. No new patches should have appeared on other areas. 3. Any injury should heal with normal skin color. Response according to type of vitiligo: 1. Segmental - Best response and most suitable. Success rate 94% ( See below) 2. Focal - Very good response and suitable. Success rate 80% 3. Vulgaris - Responds well on lower extremity, poor response on face. Success rate 75% 4. Acral - Poor response in all areas. Success rate 20% Success rate of treatment is 94% i.e. 94% of the treated patients develop pigmentation over 65% to 100% of the treated area. A statistical figure of success rate applies to a group of people and not to an individual patient. Recurrence of vitiligo after treatment: 1. Segmental - Almost no recurrence 2. Focal - Minimal chance of recurrence. It can develop in vulgaris type. 3. Vulgaris - can recur. 4. Acral - Very high rate of recurrence. Is one operative session enough for complete recovery? Sometimes a few white spots remain. Approximately 30% patients require repeat surgery for complete recovery. The Treatment Most Advanced Method Melanocyte transplantation is the most advanced surgical method to treat vitiligo / leucoderma. Large areas can be treated. Repigmentation occurs in about 4 to 6 months and cosmetic results are superior to other surgical methods such as skin grafting and punchgrafting. Difficult areas like bony surface, areola, genitals and knuckles can be treated with excellent results. What happens post-treatment? The treated site is protected by a dressing for one week. Verbal and written post treatment instructions are provided. Dependant on the site that was treated, no further dressing is required and you will need to follow the instructions that were given. There is usually no bruising or swelling. Some patients may feel minor discomfort at the biopsy and treated site for a few days which can be treated with a mild painkiller if wished. Recovery is remarkably quick. When dressings are removed the treated area appears bright red. Repigmentation is seen only after 4 to 6 weeks in brown skin population and 8 to 12 weeks in Caucasians. It takes about 6 months to achieve maximum results. Complications & Side Effects 1. Since no medicines are used except post-operative antibiotics, there are no side effects. 2. Scarring and Koebner's phenomenon are rare complications. Trauma of surgery may cause new lesions (Koebner's phenomenon) and is seen in approximately 2% of our patients. Use of oral prednisolone at surgery may prevent Koebner's phenomenon. 3. There may be a hypopigmented ring at the borders of treated and repigmented patches in some patients. Usually this ring disappears automatically or with application of local steroids, or by repeat surgery. 4. Bacterial infection. All patients are given oral antibiotics to prevent chances of infection. Advantages of Melanocyte Transplantation 1. It is a day care procedure. Patient can go home in 3 to 5 hours. 2. A large area can be treated in one operative session. 3. A very small piece of normal skin is sufficient to treat large affected area, e.g. 10cm2 of donor skin is enough to treat 100 cm2 of vitligo / leucoderma patches. 4. Very good cosmetic results. 5. Repigmentation is seen in 2 months and may take 4 to 6 months for maximum improvement and proper color matching. 6. Very minimal or no side effects. 7. No postoperative phototherapy required.

Heavy sweating (also known as hyperhidrosis) is a very real and embarrassing problem, but there are some effective ways to treat it. Before you hide under bulky sweaters or move to a chillier climate, you can try these proven techniques for combating excessive sweating. First Step for Treating Heavy Sweating: Antiperspirants The easiest way to tackle excessive sweating is with an antiperspirant, which most people already use on a daily basis. Antiperspirants contain aluminum salts. When you roll them onto your skin, antiperspirants form a plug that blocks perspiration. You can buy an antiperspirant over the counter at your local supermarket or drug store, or your doctor can prescribe one for you. Over-the-counter antiperspirants may be less irritating than prescription antiperspirants. Start with an over-the-counter brand, and if that doesn't work, see your dermatologist for a prescription. Many antiperspirants are sold combined with a deodorant, which won't stop you from sweating but will control the odor from your sweat. Antiperspirants aren't only for your underarms. You can also apply them to other areas where you sweat, like your hands and feet. Some may even be applied to the hairline. Don't just roll or spray on your antiperspirant/deodorant in the morning and forget about it. Also apply it at night before you go to bed -- it will help keep you drier. Next Steps: 4 Medical Treatments for Heavy Sweating If antiperspirants aren't stopping your hands and feet from sweating too much, your doctor may recommend one of these medical treatments: 1. Iontophoresis: During this treatment, you sit with your hands, feet, or both in a shallow tray of water for about 20 to 30 minutes, while a low electrical current travels through the water. No one knows exactly how this treatment works, but experts believe it blocks sweat from getting to your skin's surface. You'll have to repeat this treatment at least a few times a week, but after several times you may stop sweating. Once you learn how to do iontophoresis, you can buy a machine to use at home. Some people only require a couple of treatments a month for maintenance. Although iontophoresis is generally safe, because it uses an electrical current it's not recommended for women who are pregnant and people who have pacemakers or metal implants (including joint replacements), cardiac conditions, or epilepsy. 2. Botulinum toxin: Another treatment option for heavy sweating is injections of botulinum toxin A (Botox), the same medicine used for wrinkles. Botox is FDA-approved for treating excessive sweating of the underarms, but some doctors may also use it on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. Botox works by preventing the release of a chemical that signals the sweat glands to activate. You may need to have several Botox injections, but the results can last for almost a year.

Mesolift Microinjections or Vitamins & Hyauronic acid are given on the face to take away Dullness & Loosness of skin, to give a good Glowy, Tight and even Toned Skin. Hyaluronic acid plays an important role in tissues smoothness, softening and decreasing wrinkles. Session are done every 7-10 days, for a total 4 session. Maintenance sessions are painless with no side effects.

Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy in Hair Restoration - PRP Therapy PRP (PRP) therapy is an exciting new non-surgical therapeutic option for natural hair growth and stimulation. Scientific research and technology has given the medical community new understandings of wound and tissue healing. As a result of this new knowledge we have a better understanding of cellular growth and repair. Mesenchymal stem cells and autologous blood products are examples of how essential and specific growth factors can assist in tissue regeneration and healing. At Aura Skin Cosmetology Clinic we offer PRP therapy as an innovative scientifically based natural non-surgical hair restoration therapy. PRP is not meant to replace current FDA approved therapies such as DHT blockers and Minoxidil, but it is a promising non-surgical therapeutic option for those patients with hair loss. HOW DO WE PERFORM THE PROCEDURE? Blood is drawn in our office as though you are having routine blood testing at your primary care physician’s office. The blood is spun in a centrifuge and the PRP is separated and removed from the rest of the blood. The PRP is taken from your body and is specially prepared by spinning down the blood cells to a high concentration. After centrifugation, the platelets and other vital growth proteins raise to the top of the tube. Under a topical anesthesia, a special micro needling roller device used to stimulate the dermis of the scalp. This micro needling stimulation causes microtrauma to the dermis that induces other healing and growth repair cells into action. The highly concentrated platelet rich plasma (PRP) is injected into the scalp and topically, as the roller creates tiny wound. The PRP contains many growth factors that stimulate the hair follicle’s growth. PRP can be used preoperatively, intraoperatively, or post operatively. Some patient’s chose to have PRP performed every six (6) months as early data suggests regular or semiannual PRP treatments can stimulate hair growth. THE SCIENCE OF PRP PRP contains special cells called Platelets, that can cause growth of the hair follicles by theoretically stimulating the stem cells located in the Dermal Papilla as well as other structures of the hair follicle These special Platelet cells promotes healing, accelerates the rate and degree of tissue healing and regeneration, response of the body to injury, and formation of new cellular growth. The primary purpose of using PRP in hair restoration is to stimulate inactive or newly implanted hair follicles into an active growth phase. Inside the Platelets are many intracellular structures such as glycogen, lysosomes and alpha granules. These granules within the PRP contain clotting and growth factors that are eventually released during the healing and repair process. PRP specific cells that causes hair growth include: • Platelet-Derived Growth Factor (PDGF)—promotes blood vessel growth, cell replication, skin formation; • Transforming Growth-Factor-Beta (TGF-b)—promotes growth of matrix between cells, bone metabolism; • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF)—promotes blood vessel formation; • Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF)—promotes cell growth and differentiation, blood vessel formation, collagen formation; • Fibroblast Growth Factor-2 (FGF-2)—promotes growth of specialized cells and blood vessel formation; and, • Insulin Like Growth Factor - (IGF) —a regulator of normal physiology in nearly every type of cell in the body.