Arch Dermatol
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Topical cyproterone acetate treatment in women with acne: a placebo-controlled trial.
To evaluate the clinical and hormonal response of topically applied cyproterone acetate, oral cyproterone acetate, and placebo lotion in women with acne. ⋯ The therapeutic effect of topically applied cyproterone acetate for acne treatment was clearly demonstrated. Topically applied sexual steroids in combination with liposomes are as effective as oral antiandrogen medication in acne treatment, while reducing the risk of adverse effects and avoiding high serum cyproterone acetate concentrations.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study Clinical Trial
A randomized, placebo-controlled comparison of oral valacyclovir and acyclovir in immunocompetent patients with recurrent genital herpes infections. The Valaciclovir International Study Group.
To compare valacyclovir hydrochloride with acyclovir in the treatment of recurrent genital herpes infection. ⋯ Twice-daily valacyclovir was as effective and well tolerated in the treatment of recurrent genital herpes simplex virus infection as 5-times-daily acyclovir. Therefore, valacyclovir could prove a useful alternative to acyclovir when convenience of dosing or compliance issues are the prime considerations in treatment.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Optimizing treatment parameters for hair removal using a topical carbon-based solution and 1064-nm Q-switched neodymium:YAG laser energy.
To determine the most effective treatment parameters for laser-assisted hair removal using a Q-switched neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd:YAG) laser. ⋯ A single hair-removal treatment with the Q-switched Nd:YAG laser is safe and effective in delaying hair growth for up to 3 months. Although the combination of pretreatment wax epilation and topical carbon solution application was effective, laser irradiation alone, with or without wax epilation, also provided a significant delay in hair growth.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Topical tretinoin (retinoic acid) improves early stretch marks.
Stretch marks are disfiguring lesions usually caused by excessive stretching of skin. We investigated the response of early, clinically active stretch marks to topical 0.1% tretinoin (retinoic acid) cream. In a double-blind, randomized, vehicle-controlled study, 22 patients applied either 0.1% tretinoin (n = 10) or vehicle (n = 12) daily for 6 months to the affected areas. Patients were evaluated by physical examination monthly and by analysis of biopsy specimens of stretch marks obtained before and at the end of therapy in comparison with untreated normal skin. ⋯ Topical application of tretinoin significantly improves the clinical appearance of early, active stretch marks. The processes that are responsible for the clinical improvement remain unknown.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Clinical Trial
The antipruritic effect of 5% doxepin cream in patients with eczematous dermatitis. Doxepin Study Group.
Eczematous dermatitis is commonly characterized by intense pruritus. Current treatment modalities for this condition, regardless of its cause, are primarily directed at blunting the cutaneous inflammatory response and thereby providing relief of pruritus. To expand on our previous findings in atopic dermatitis, the present multicenter double-blind trial was conducted to evaluate the safety and antipruritic efficacy of 5% doxepin hydrochloride cream in patients with lichen simplex chronicus (n = 136), nummular eczema (n = 87), or contact dermatitis (n = 86). A total of 309 patients with moderate to severe pruritus were randomly assigned to apply either doxepin cream (n = 154) or vehicle cream (n = 155) to eczematous areas four times per day for a period of 7 days. Efficacy was assessed using a pruritus severity rating scale, a Physician's Global Evaluation for pruritus relief, and a Visual Analogue Scale for pruritus relief. ⋯ Topical application of doxepin provides significant antipruritic activity with a favorable safety profile, suggesting a role for doxepin cream in the symptomatic treatment of pruritus associated with eczematous dermatitis.