skin-care-4.matches: skin care
Physicians' and patients' perspectives on office-based dispensing: the central role of the physician-patient relationship.

Ogbogu P, Fleischer AB Jr, Brodell RT, Bhalla G, Draelos ZD, Feldman SR.

Department of Dermatology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, NC 27157-1071, USA.

OBJECTIVE: To describe physicians' and patients' reasons for participating in office-based sales of dermatologic products. DESIGN: Survey data on the attitudes, opinions, and beliefs of dermatologists and their patients were analyzed. SETTING: A market research study of office-based selling. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty dermatologists involved in direct selling from the office, 20 dermatologists not involved in direct selling, 22 patients who purchase products from their dermatologists' offices, and 25 office managers. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The hypotheses of this study were formulated after the market research study had been done. The main outcome measure was the physicians' and patients' reported reasons for patients purchasing skin care products from dermatologists rather than from retail stores. RESULTS: "Trust" was the most frequent reason cited by physicians for patient purchases, while "physician knowledge" was the most frequent reason cited by the purchasing patients. The most common location to display the products was the waiting room (20 [67%] of the physicians). The most common types of products sold included glycolic acid products (15 [50%]), moisturizers (13 [43%]), sunscreens (12 [40%]), and alpha-hydroxy acid products other than glycolic acid (9 [30%]). CONCLUSION: The interaction between physicians who sell products in their offices and their patients is highlighted by 2 key elements of the physician-patient relationship: trust and physician knowledge.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11176686&dopt=Abstract skin, skin care, skin care medicine skin-care-4.matches: skin care
Incorporation of ceramide 3B in dermatocosmetic emulsions: effect on the transepidermal water loss of sodium lauryl sulphate-damaged skin.

De Paepe K, Derde MP, Roseeuw D, Rogiers V.

Department of Toxicology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium. kdepaepe fafy.vub.ac.be

BACKGROUND: In previous work we reported on the efficacy of cosmetic body lotions enriched with skin-identical lipids to reduce the transepidermal water loss (TEWL) of ageing and sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS)-damaged skin. The observations made depended on the experimental design and clearly raised the question of the importance of the galenic formulation of skin ceramide-containing products. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present work was to study the different galenic forms in which ceramide 3B (0.2% w/v) can be incorporated into common o/w emulsions. In addition, we investigated whether supplementation of skin care products with ceramide 3B enriched with penetration enhancers and coemulsifiers could exert a beneficial effect on barrier function, done by measuring their effects on the TEWL of SLS-induced scaly skin. RESULTS: We found that the technique of incorporating ceramide 3B into the o/w emulsions was important for their final stability. However, no additional positive effect on the TEWL values of SLS-damaged skin could be observed when the efficacy of the ceramide-containing emulsions was compared with that of proper controls. CONCLUSIONS: Although suitable galenic formulas were developed, no positive effect on TEWL could be observed when ceramide 3B was added in a final concentration of 0.2% (w/v) to different o/w emulsions and applied to SLS-damaged skin.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11204515&dopt=Abstract skin, skin care, skin care medicine skin-care-4.matches: skin care
The prevention of occupational hand dermatitis in bakers, confectioners and employees in the catering trades. Preliminary results of a skin prevention program.

Bauer A, Kelterer D, Stadeler M, Schneider W, Kleesz P, Wollina U, Elsner P.

Department of Dermatology and Allergology, Friedrich-Schiller-University, Jena, Germany.

Occupational skin diseases (OSD) are among the most frequent occupational diseases (OD). Compared to other occupations, bakers, confectioners and employees in the catering trades are at a high risk of developing OSD. In January 1999, the interdisciplinary Skin Disease Prevention Program in the Baking, Hotel and Catering Industries (SDPP) conducted by the Department of Dermatology and Allergology at the Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, in cooperation with the Research Center for Applied System Safety and Industrial Medicine, Erfurt, and the technical experts at the Social Insurance for the Food Industry and Related Professions (Berufsgenossenschaft fur Nahrungsmittel und Gaststatten--(BGN)), Erfurt, was initiated. Following detailed analysis of the occupational exposure of the employees and their personal occupational disease history, the patients' diagnosis and therapy was re-evaluated and supplemented if necessary. Individual skin care and protection regimes were demonstrated and practically trained. Skin care and protection products were supplied. Skin-care and protection seminars were offered to volunteering participants. From January to December 1999, 29 affected employees were examined in the OSD clinic. 22 employees (76%) suffered from irritant contact dermatitis. The follow-up data of 11 employees are available. In 8 employees (73%), the skin disease improved or disappeared. Moreover, in 1 employee (9%), the skin condition was stabilized even though he continued working. In only 2 employees (18%) did the skin condition worsen. These preliminary results showed that most of the OSD were due to lack of or unsuitable skin care and protection. The program will be extended to cover a larger number of food industry employees with OSD.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11205409&dopt=Abstract skin, skin care, skin care medicine skin-care-4.matches: skin care
Patients seen in a dermatology clinic have unmet preventive health care needs.

Feldman SR, Ravis S, Moran WP, Fleischer AB Jr.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Center for Dermatology Research and the Departments of Dermatology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC. sfeldman wfubmc.edu

Dermatologists provide special expertise in the care of patients with skin disease, whereas primary care providers have special expertise in preventive care. Patients bypassing their primary care provider to use dermatologists directly may miss an opportunity for identification of preventive health needs. We conducted a pilot study to determine whether patients seeing a dermatologist have unmet general preventive health care needs. A 1-page assessment was developed in accordance with the US Preventive Services Task Force guidelines and was distributed to a convenience sample of 161 patients in a dermatology clinic. Unmet needs were identified in the areas of screening tests, counseling, immunizations, vitamins, and replacement hormones. Of subjects aged 25 to 64 years, 94% without a primary care provider had unmet needs compared with 28% of subjects with a primary care provider. We found that patients seeing a dermatologist often had unmet preventive health needs. Dermatologists and primary care providers must work together to provide optimal skin care and preventive health care needs for the patient.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11260555&dopt=Abstract skin, skin care, skin care medicine skin-care-4.matches: skin care
Improvement of skin care during radiotherapy.

Schratter-Sehn AU, Brinda K, Kahrer M, Novak M.

Institut fur Radioonkologie, Kaiser-Franz-Josef-Spital, Wien. annemarie.schratter kfj.magwien.gv.at

BACKGROUND: State-of-the-art radiotherapy, new insights into pharmacology and novel operating techniques require patient-oriented adaptation of care. PATIENTS AND METHOD: At the Radio-oncology Department of the Kaiser Franz Josef Spital, Vienna, a new skin care concept for patients undergoing radiotherapy was introduced in March 1999. This concept has subsequently been applied in all cases regardless of the diagnosis prompting referral (79 ENT, 305 breast, 134 prostate, 89 colorectal cancer and 751 other patients). Radiotherapy consisted of photon and/or electron radiation on the linear accelerator. The energy ranges were between 6 and 15 MV for photon therapy and between 6 and 12 MeV for electron radiation. Patients received an average total radiation dose of 50-66 Gy at single fractional doses of 1.8-2 Gy 5 times a week. Powdering of the skin was replaced by a moist skin care program. Patients were allowed to take cool whole-body showers without soap, including the irradiated skin areas, 3 times a week. RESULTS: With the new skin care program dryness of the skin and resultant allergic skin reactions became less common. Broken skin an epitheliolysis were clearly reduced and superinfections were prevented. CONCLUSION: Moist care of irradiated skin areas during radiotherapy thus improved radiation tolerance and patient acceptance. Copyright 2001 S. Karger GmbH, Freiburg

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11441280&dopt=Abstract skin, skin care, skin care medicine skin-care-4.matches: skin care
Should this team be saved?

Heimbouch H.

As far as anyone could tell, Vigor Skin Care's star was rising, mostly on the strength of Ageless Vigor, its new line of enriched skin cleansers and cosmetics. In fact, this evening, the three employees responsible for developing the product line were slated to receive the parent company's highest award for performance. But CEO Peter Markles knew that despite the accolades, the business unit--and its "fearsome threesome"--had hit a rough patch in recent months. When Peter took the reins four years ago, Vigor Skin Care was the sleeping dog of the health-and-beauty industry; his challenge was to rejuvenate the maturing business. He knew a turnaround would require equal parts discipline, politics, and creativity--so he pulled together a team that could address those needs. Peter relied on Sandy Fryda, Vigor's longtime marketing director, to help him navigate the tricky political waters at headquarters. And he tapped 30-year-old Josh Bartola, a maverick contributor to Vigor Skin Care's research group, for his independent spirit and new product ideas. Their all-consuming, intensely collaborative efforts resulted in the successful Ageless Vigor line. Then reality set in. The team found the day-to-day operations of manufacturing Ageless Vigor, for all their necessity and urgency, a bit tedious. Peter felt relegated to troubleshooting distribution problems. Josh was having meetings with executives from another division who were actively recruiting the wunderkind. And Sandy was simply on the verge of burnout. Tonight, at the award ceremony, there would be speeches and applause and toasts. But tomorrow, Peter would have to face the question: Should he try to salvage the Ageless Vigor team? Four commentators offer their advice in this fictional case study.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11447615&dopt=Abstract skin, skin care, skin care medicine skin-care-1.matches: skin care
Anger and acne: implications for quality of life, patient satisfaction and clinical care.

Rapp DA, Brenes GA, Feldman SR, Fleischer AB Jr, Graham GF, Dailey M, Rapp SR.

University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Biology, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.

BACKGROUND: Acne is a common skin disorder with a significant psychological and social impact for some people. Little is known about how personality and emotional traits affect acne and its impact on quality of life and treatment. Trait anger (TA), which is related to heart disease and other morbidities, may also affect acne and patients' adjustment to it. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the relationship between TA and acne severity, skin-related quality of life, satisfaction with treatment, and adherence to treatment. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: A sample of 479 individuals with acne completed a survey instrument to assess acne severity, skin care practices, skin-related quality of life, satisfaction with treatment, adherence, TA and demographic variables. Respondents who reported high TA were compared with individuals with low TA on outcome variables. Regression analyses adjusted for covariates and identified the significant predictors of quality of life, satisfaction and adherence. RESULTS: High TA was unrelated to acne severity (P = 0.2) or frequency of face washing (P = 0.9). Anger was significantly related to both global quality of life (P < 0.001) and skin-related quality of life (P = 0.002) as well as to satisfaction with treatment (P = 0.001) and adherence to treatment advice (P = 0.05) in bivariate analyses. Regression analyses revealed that high TA remained a significant predictor of global (P < 0.001) and skin-related quality of life (P = 0.003) and satisfaction with treatment (P = 0.04), but not adherence to treatment advice (P = 0.8) after controlling for covariates. CONCLUSIONS: Anger is associated with the quality of patients' lives and with their satisfaction with treatment. Care of acne patients should include attention to anger and other chronic emotional states, quality of life, as well as to clinical severity. Simple guidelines are suggested for how clinicians might approach this important aspect of care.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=15270889&dopt=Abstract skin, skin care, skin care medicine