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To describe a case of the largest reported microcystic adnexal carcinoma of the eyebrow in an 89-year-old woman and to review the literature regarding the periorbital occurrence of this tumor.

Ruby laser-assisted hair removal is thought to act via selective photothermolysis of melanin in the hair follicles. Although initial clinical trials of permanent hair removal using ruby lasers are promising, the exact mechanisms of hair destruction and the potential damage to other structures of skin are not known. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cutaneous ultrastructural changes following ruby laser hair removal. Nineteen healthy Caucasian patients with dark (brown/black) hair were treated with the ruby laser and biopsies taken after 0, 2, 3, 5, 7, 14 and 21 days. Specimens were examined by light and electron microscopy. Laser-treated specimens showed widespread coagulation and charring of subcutaneous hair shafts. These obviously damaged follicles were randomly dispersed amongst intact follicles within the same treatment sites. Microscopic changes were also seen in the basal epidermis where melanin was concentrated, irrespective of any obvious macroscopic damage. A low level of inflammatory response seen up to 2 weeks after treatment always followed laser treatment. Suprabasal epidermal necrosis was only seen in patients with blister formation after treatment. Ruby laser irradiation results in selective damage to the hair follicles, with microscopic changes to the basal epidermis. The damage is probably compounded by the inflammatory response to the damaged hair. The normal appearance and distribution of collagen in the dermal layer supported the clinical evidence that laser-assisted hair removal, if performed correctly, does not lead to scar formation. Copyright 1999 The British Association of Plastic Surgeons

There have been anecdotal reports that hairs that regrow after ruby laser-assisted hair removal are finer in appearance. If true, this phenomenon adds to the improved aesthetic effect of laser treatment of unwanted hair. It is the aim of this study to determine whether this phenomenon indeed occurs, and if so, assess its permanence and its mode of action. In this prospective clinical study, 71 patients with 94 treatment sites were treated with the Chromos 694 Depilation Ruby Laser. Hair diameter was measured pre-treatment, and at 3 and 7 months post-treatment. In addition, ex vivo scalp skin was used to assess if the ruby laser selectively damaged coarser hairs. Laser-treated and matched untreated skin samples were histologically assessed and the diameters of hair shafts (normal or obviously damaged) were measured. Results of this study were analysed using Kruskal–Wallis one-way analysis. There was no statistically significant difference between the hair diameter of non-lasered specimens and the hair diameter of the normal hair in lasered specimens. However, a statistically significant difference was seen between the hair diameter of non-lasered specimens and diameters of damaged hair in lasered specimens (P< 0.05). There was a statistically significant difference (P< 0.05) between pre-treatment and 3 month hair diameters, but no statistically significant difference was found between pre-treatment and 7 month hair diameters. In conclusion, ruby laser-assisted hair removal results in a temporary reduction in hair diameter of regrowing hair. This is not due to the selective targeting of larger hair follicles. Copyright 1999 The British Association of Plastic Surgeons

Four cases of node-based T cell lymphoma are presented. The tumours had 2 distinct morphologic patterns. Two cases showed a polymorphous proliferation of pleomorphic lymphoid cells, small lymphocytes, epithelioid cells and arborizing small vessels while the others displayed a monomorphous infiltrate of large atypical lymphoid cells characterized by granular nuclei with numerous tortuous folds to produce a ‘squiggly’ appearance. One case showed a progression from one histological pattern to the other. Confirmation of the T cell nature of these lymphomas was based on the demonstration of E-rosette formation by morphologically atypical lymphoid cells which also stained positive for acid alpha-naphthyl acetate esterase activity. The patients had an average age of 52 yr and presented with a variable distribution of lymphadenopathy and a predominance of extranodal involvement. Two cases disclosed hypergammaglobulinaemia, one of whom had a paraproteinaemia of IgM-k type. All patients responded poorly to standard combination chemotherapy, 2 expiring 48 and 53 mth after onset of symptoms.