Vitiligo Laser treatment efficiency on Active Vitiligo 

Vitiligo is a skin disorder characterized by the loss of skin pigmentation due to the destruction of melanocytes. Due to the cells responsible for producing skin color, this condition affects about 1% of the global population and can significantly impact an individual’s quality of life. In addition, patients with Vitiligo often experience psychological distress and social stigmatization due to visible skin lesions. The condition affects people of all races and genders, and while it is not life-threatening, it can be emotionally distressing for those with it. It is essential to note that while Q-switched laser depigmentation has shown to be effective in depigmenting affected areas, it is not a cure for Vitiligo. The underlying cause of Vitiligo is still not fully understood, and there is no known cure. The situation is believed to be caused by an autoimmune response in which the body’s immune system attacks the melanocytes, the cells responsible for producing skin color. The condition can occur at any age and impact individuals of any skin color. 

 For years, treatments for Vitiligo have been limited and often ineffective. However, a recent article in the British Journal of Dermatology explores the effectiveness of Q-switched laser depigmentation in Vitiligo and its optimal timing for the best results. In Q-switched laser depigmentation, the laser removes the remaining pigment in the affected area, allowing the repigmentation process to occur more effectively. This method has been successful in several studies. As a result, it has become an increasingly popular treatment option for Vitiligo patientsThe study found that Q-switched laser therapy is an effective treatment with high patient satisfaction and no long-term side effects. It also discovered that people with active Vitiligo had better results than those with stable conditions. Just as a toolbox contains different tools for different jobs, the treatment options for Vitiligo include different approaches for different stages of Vitiligo, as Q-switched lasers should be the first option for small lengths that need depigmentation. However, patients should be informed that repigmentation may be delayed. Therefore, testing the treatment on a small area of the patient’s skin and following up after six weeks is recommended. If the treatment is inadequate for patients with stable Vitiligo, it is best to wait until it becomes active before restarting treatment. It is important to note that Q-switched laser depigmentation can suit everyone with Vitiligo. 

In addition, the procedure is not without risks. There is a risk of scarring, infection, and changes in skin texture. Patients should discuss the risks and benefits of the procedure with their dermatologist before undergoing treatment. Despite the risks, Q-switched laser depigmentation is a safe and effective treatment for Vitiligo in many cases. The study included 27 patients, 15 female, and 12 male, with different types of skin, and 18 of them had about > 80% depigmentation. The patients had Vitiligo for an average of 25 years, and most had it on their faces. At treatment, Vitiligo was active in 17 patients and stable in eight. Out of 27 people who got special treatment, 18 had temporary problems like redness, scabbing, and itching, but they were brief. None of them got any bad scars or infections. As a result, about half of the people we treated had their skin color return to normal by more than 75% after 13 months. This treatment can help improve people’s quality of life. Just as a painter mixes colors to create shades, melanocytes produce pigment to create skin tones. When these cells are destroyed, the skin loses its color, just as a painting would lose its colors if the artist’s palette were destroyed. Patients may require multiple sessions to achieve the desired results. It is important to note that the procedure is not without risks, and Patients should discuss the risks and benefits of the process with their dermatologist before undergoing treatment.

The results of this study are significant for those with Vitiligo because they provide evidence that Q-switched laser depigmentation can be an effective treatment option, particularly for those with active disease or those who have had the condition for a shorter time, are more likely to respond to treatment than those with stable disease or those who have had the condition for a more extended period. Therefore, those with Vitiligo must seek treatment as soon as possible to increase the likelihood of a successful outcome. While the results of this study are promising, it is essential to note that Q-switched laser depigmentation is not a cure for Vitiligo. The treatment can only remove existing pigment and cannot prevent new patches from forming. Additionally, the treatment may not be appropriate for everyone with Vitiligo, and it is essential to consult a dermatologist to determine if Q-switched laser depigmentation is a viable treatment option.

In conclusion, the recent study published in the British Journal of Dermatology provides evidence that Q-switched laser depigmentation is an effective treatment option for those with active disease in Vitiligo. The study highlights the importance of early intervention in treating the condition and offers hope to those who have previously struggled with limited treatment options. While the treatment may not be appropriate for everyone, it is a promising step in managing Vitiligo. In addition, Vitiligo is a condition that can cause significant emotional and psychological distress, and individuals with the disease can experience social stigmatization. Therefore, it is crucial to explore treatment options that can help improve the appearance of affected areas. Patients should work closely with their dermatologist to develop a treatment plan tailored to their needs and preferences. In addition to seeking medical treatment, those with Vitiligo should seek support from family, friends, and mental health professionals to address the emotional impact of the condition.

References  

Komen L, Zwertbroek L, Burger SJ, van der Veen JPW, de Rie MA, Wolkerstorfer A. 2013.Q-switched laser depigmentation in Vitiligo is most effective in active disease. British Journal of Dermatology. 169(6):1246–1251. doi:https://doi.org/10.1111/bjd.12571

Mindset and Mental Health in Adolescents: The Impact of Smartphones Draft

Adolescence is when various mental health problems manifest. Modifiable prevention and treatment targets are essential to reduce the prevalence of mental health problems among adolescents. Teenage mental health problems are a global public health problem, and they can significantly impact the economy to address this problem by enhancing the mindset of adolescents. Thus, a growth mindset is a protective factor against mental health problems. Mental health is essential to a person’s overall quality of life and development, and adolescents’ maladaptive perceptions, such as beliefs that their current condition will not change, and nonadaptive responses to adverse life events. The growth mindset believes individuals can improve their abilities over time, even if they start with weaknesses—the relationship between growth mindset and mental health. The analysis was published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. It used a longitudinal study (​​ a research design involving repeated observations of the same variables); in a three-wave study, participants would be evaluated at three different times to examine the effects of the growth mindset on adolescent mental health and the potential effect of smartphones.

Educational psychology has found that mindset (beliefs and attitudes) plays a significant role in academic achievement. Moreover, people’s intentions and choices about how to deal with problems (for example, attitudes toward treatment and choice of coping strategies) can also influence how well someone is mentally doing. People’s beliefs about their nature and character can have a broad and lasting impact on human behavioral tendencies and outcomes, especially when individuals face adversity. The growth mindset is associated with students’ academic goal orientation, beliefs about effort, and behavioral strategies. Having a growth mindset can protect adolescents from developing mental health problems. As well as understanding that digital technology is becoming more popular among adolescents, and people worry that using smartphones to escape or solve problems is harmful to mental health in the long term. Smartphones affect the relationship between mindset and adolescent mental health. A mindset oriented towards growth may benefit mental health by reducing the time spent using smartphones for entertainment.

In this longitudinal study, students in grades 3 to 7 from four cities in central China were surveyed. Data were collected at three-time points (April 2019, July 2020, and April 2021). Moreover, three waves have been studied—furthermore, the procedure for Waves 1 and 3 involves students independently filling out questionnaires. One parent of each participant reported information related to the family environment (such as parental education and annual household income). Likewise, In Wave 2, participants were sent an online questionnaire due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In the data analysis, it was found that sex, age, and SES were all significant mediators of the relationship between parental engagement and student outcomes.

The Students’ growth mindset was measured using a Chinese version of the growth mindset inventory, which consists of four items. Higher scores indicated higher levels of a growth mindset. Next, a mobile phone-use patterns questionnaire was adapted to measure students’ use of smartphones for entertainment in Wave 2. Higher scores indicated more frequent use of smartphones for entertainment. The smartphone addiction proneness scale for adolescents measured problematic smartphone use in Wave 2. It consists of 16 items and includes four dimensions: disturbance of adaptive functions, withdrawal, tolerance, and virtual life orientation. The Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale measured anxiety in Waves 2 and 3. Students were instructed to rate the frequency of problems they were bothered by in the last two weeks. In Waves 2 and 3, the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale was used to measure depression. Higher scores indicated higher levels of depression. And the demographic covariates of sex, age, and family socioeconomic status were controlled for in the models. Finally, after controlling for various factors, a model was created to predict anxiety levels up to two years later. The results indicated that a growth mindset (believing in learning and improving) was associated with lower anxiety levels two years later.

As a result, a growth mindset has long-lasting positive effects on mental health. Although the effect size of the growth mindset on mental health problems was not large, the effects may have significant impacts due to accumulation over time. Moreover, smartphone use mediates the relationship between mindset and mental health. A growth mindset believes that abilities and progress can grow and change over time; this can help one cope with difficult situations. Additionally, mindset is a critical link between daily smartphone use and damaging outcomes, such as mental health problems.

Adolescent mental health is improved over time by the growth mindset. Teenage mental health is influenced by mentality in a way controlled by smartphone entertainment use. Technology can impact social skills, development, and mental health, and higher levels of screen use in children and adolescents are associated with an increased risk of depression and lower well-being. Teaching adolescents to have a growth mindset to improve  mental health. Programs for mental health problems that target mindset may be medically beneficial regarding prevention and intervention.

References

Lai X, Nie C, Huang S, Li Y, Xin T, Zhang C, Wang Y. 2022. Effect of Growth Mindset on Mental Health Two Years Later: The Role of Smartphone Use. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 19(6):3355. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19063355. https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/19/6/3355

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