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Background: Our surroundings are full of non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation (EMR) of different frequency and power. The non-ionizing EMRs emitted by television, computer and cellular phone (CF) sets have been increasing over the past few years., Objective: The aim of our study was to assess the effects of non-ionizing EMRs (frequency 3 x 10(8) to 3 x 10(11) Hz), emitted by CFs, on cutaneous blood flow in healthy volunteers., Methods: Thirty healthy volunteers (14 male and 16 female; age: 18-53 years) entered the study. Measurements of cutaneous blood flow were taken under standard conditions (temperature and humidity), using a laser Doppler He-Ne flowmeter that was applied to the ear skin by an optical fibre probe. Microflow values were recorded without CF contact with the skin (T0), with the CF turned off but in contact with the ear skin (T1), with CF contact and turned on (T2), with CF contact, turned on and receiving (T3). The microflow values were also recorded backwards: with CF contact and set turned on (T4), with CF contact and turned off (T5), without CF contact (T6)., Results: The mean value of basal microflow (T0), expressed as perfusion units (PU), was 51.26+/-11.93 PU. During the T1 phase, the microflow increase was 61.38%; in T2 it was 131.74%, in T3 157.67%, in T4 139.21% and in T5 122.90%; in T6, the microflow value was 57.58+/-10 PU (similar to the basal microflow). Statistically significant cutaneous microflow values (p<0.050) were observed comparing the T1 to T5 values with basal microflow (T0). Furthermore, in comparison with T1 values (CF turned off in contact with the ear skin), the T2, T3 and T4 data were statistically significant (T2 vs. T1: t=7.763 with p<0.050; T3 vs. T1: t=9.834 with p<0.050; T4 vs. T1: t=8.885 with p<0.050)., (Copyright 2003 S. Karger AG, Basel)

It is now generally agreed that solar exposure is a major external factor in the causation of cutaneous melanoma in light skinned populations with red hair and a marked susceptibility to the acute effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation. In the present study, we investigated the existence of a possible relationship between hair melanin composition and minimal erythema dose (MED), as an indicator of UV sensitivity, in a group of 15 healthy red-haired subjects aged 20-46 years. In spite of comparable skin and hair colour, marked variations were observed in the MED values as well as in the hair melanin composition. Phaeomelanin levels varied in the range 0.026-0.53% w/w and were generally comparable to or higher than eumelanin levels (0.042-0.17% w/w). No significant relationship was found between MED values and phaeomelanin, eumelanin or total melanin (eumelanin plus phaeomelanin) content. Notably, however, a gross positive correlation was found between the eumelanin/phaeomelanin ratio and the MED values. These results would suggest that a high UV sensitivity is associated with high phaeomelanin and low eumelanin levels, and point to the eumelanin/phaeomelanin ratio as a novel chemical parameter that could be used for predicting individuals at high risk for skin cancer and melanoma.

Objective: We propose a simple cryo-technique for the treatment of cutaneous soft fibromas., Methods: This method, useful for fibromas larger than 4-5 mm in diameter, allows the freezing of the only soft fibroma without affecting the surrounding skin., Results: The technique shows the following advantages: it is simple to perform, it avoids local anesthesia, and it can be used in pacemaker holders., Conclusion: The cosmetic results are very good.