Epidermal growth factor (EGF) is a growth factor that plays a pivotal role in wound healing and maintaining tissue homeostasis by regulating cell survival, proliferation, migration, and differentiation. Exogenous administration of bioidentical human recombinant epidermal growth factor (rhEGF) has been known to promote skin wound healing, although rhEGF is increasingly being used in drug delivery systems and nanotechnology. However, despite considerable attention being focused on the potential clinical applications of rhEGF in several dermatological conditions beyond wound healing, the number of studies still remains relatively low. Herein, we conducted a literature search of PubMed/Medline and Google Scholar databases to retrieve published literature related to rhEGF and summarised the effects of rhEGF in the treatment of various wound types, radiotherapy or chemotherapy‐related skin reactions, atopic dermatitis, skin aging, and post‐inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

Background: The coronavirus disease‐2019 (COVID‐19) outbreak has presented unique dermatologic challenges due to respiratory protective equipment (RPE)–related skin conditions.Objective: To objectively evaluate the effects of RPE including medical masks and respirators on the skin barrier by measuring various physiological properties of the skin.Methods: A cross‐sectional study was designed. Twenty healthy healthcare workers were included in this study. Skin parameters including skin hydration, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), erythema, sebum secretion, pH, and skin temperature were measured in the RPE‐covered and RPE‐uncovered areas of the face 4 and 8 hours after wearing RPE and 14 hours after not wearing RPE.Results: Skin hydration, TEWL, erythema, pH, and skin temperature increased in the RPE‐covered areas after wearing RPE for 4 and 8 hours. By contrast, in the RPE‐uncovered areas, skin hydration decreased and TEWL, erythema, and pH showed minimal changes over time. Based on the repeated‐measure analysis, the changes in skin physiological properties over time were significantly different between RPE‐covered and RPE‐uncovered areas.Conclusion: We observed that skin physiological characteristics change with the prolonged use of RPE such as medical masks and respirators. These changes may lead to various adverse skin reactions after long‐term use.

Jae Wan Park, Young Gue Koh, Sun Hye Shin, Young-Jun Choi, Won-Serk Kim, Hyun Ho Yoo, Jung Ok Lee, You Na Jang, Jaeyoung Kim, Kapsok Li, Beom Joon Kim, Kwang Ho Yoo,. Medical Lasers; Engineering, Basic Research, and Clinical Application 2022;11:1-7. https://doi.org/10.25289/ML.2022.11.1.1

Recently, a low-fluence picosecond (ps) laser is an emerging option for removing pigmented lesions.We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a 1,064-nm ps Nd:YAG laser as compared to a 1,064-...

Recent studies have demonstrated that particulate matter (PM) can induce oxidative stress and inflammatory responses that are related to the development or exacerbation of several inflammatory dermatoses. However, the effect of PM on acne vulgaris has yet to be determined. In this study, we induced acne-like inflammation in HEKn cells with several concentrations ofCutibacterium acnes (C.acnes)andStaphylococcus aureuspeptidoglycan (PGN) to investigate whether PM exposure exacerbates acne-like inflammation and elucidate the underlying mechanisms. To confirm whether PM increases the messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) and protein levels of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α) and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 expression inC.acnes-or PGN-treated HEKn cells, we used quantitative real-time polymerase chain reactions, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, and western blot assays. The results demonstrated thatC.acnes, PGN, and PM induced the expression of proinflammatory cytokines in a time- and dose-dependent manner at the mRNA and protein levels, respectively. Moreover, PM further increased the expression of proinflammatory cytokines, COX2, TLR4, and the phosphorylation of NF-κB inC.acnes-and PGN-treated HEKn cells. In conclusion, our results suggest that PM may exacerbate acne symptoms by increasing the inflammatory response.