This article aims to share our experience of using intense pulsed light (IPL) technology safely and effectively in our clinic. We aimed to provide valuable insights for other cosmetic practitioners interested in incorporating IPL technology into their practices. In this article, we elaborate on the various challenges faced while using IPL technology, such as ensuring the safety of clients and educating them on proper aftercare. We will explain the precautions taken, such as conducting a thorough consultation and patch testing, to mitigate the risk of adverse side effects. We also describe several interesting cases where IPL was used to treat post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation of different origins. We also explain how we tailor our treatments to suit individual clients’ needs and provide them with detailed instructions on how to care for their skin after treatment. In conclusion, IPL technology is a safe and effective way to treat various cosmetic concerns and improve the overall appearance of the skin. With proper safety measures and tailored treatments, we hope that our experience and insights will be valuable to other cosmetic practitioners.

Laser and light therapies have revolutionized the field of cosmetic medicine because of their ability to treat a range of dermatological conditions safely and effectively. However, the theoretical principles underlying these modalities have often been overlooked. To explore the key principles of quantum mechanics and physics involved in laser and light therapy. We, a team of doctors who are quantum mechanics enthusiasts, discuss the concept of wave particle duality, wherein a photon can exist in two states simultaneously, allowing for its emission and absorption during laser and light therapy. Moreover, we examined the concepts of the Pauli exclusion principle, superposition, emission mechanism, and different reactions from the absorption of light energy by skin tissue. Although these concepts are not taught in medical schools, it would be interesting to understand them. Understanding the principles of quantum mechanics and physics is vital for optimizing the clinical outcomes of laser and light therapy. Combining these fundamental principles with empirical observations and clinical experience can enhance the efficacy and safety of laser- and lightbased cosmetic interventions and pave the way for further advancements in this field.

Background/Aims: Serum fibrosis scores comprised of common laboratory tests have high utility to assess severity of liver fibrosis. We aimed to derive and validate a hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) risk score based on serum fibrosis scores to predict HCC in treatment-naïve chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients. Methods: Fifteen thousand one hundred eighty-seven treatment-naïve adult CHB patients were identified to form the training cohort in this retrospective study. Individual fibrosis score was included to construct a new HCC prediction score. The score was externally validated in an independent treatment-naïve Korean CHB cohort. Results: 180/15,187 patients (1.2%) in training cohort and 47/4,286 patients (1.1%) in validation cohort developed HCC during a mean follow-up of 52 and 50 months, respectively. The newly developed HCC risk score, Liang score, is composed of gender, age, hepatitis B virus DNA, fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) index, and ranges from 0 to 22. Area under the time-dependent receiver operating characteristic curve of Liang score was 0.79 (95% confidence interval, 0.70–0.89). A cutoff value of nine provided an extremely high negative predictive value of 99.9% and high sensitivity of 90.0% at 5 years in the validation cohort. Patients with Liang score ≤9 had HCC incidence <0.2% per year in both training and validation cohorts, in whom HCC surveillance might be exempted. Conclusion A novel HCC risk score, Liang score, based on FIB-4 index, is applicable and accurate to identify treatment-naïve CHB patients with very low risk of HCC to be exempted from HCC surveillance.

Background/Aims: Serum fibrosis scores comprised of common laboratory tests have high utility to assess severity of liver fibrosis. We aimed to derive and validate a hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) risk score based on serum fibrosis scores to predict HCC in treatment-naïve chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients. Methods: Fifteen thousand one hundred eighty-seven treatment-naïve adult CHB patients were identified to form the training cohort in this retrospective study. Individual fibrosis score was included to construct a new HCC prediction score. The score was externally validated in an independent treatment-naïve Korean CHB cohort. Results: 180/15,187 patients (1.2%) in training cohort and 47/4,286 patients (1.1%) in validation cohort developed HCC during a mean follow-up of 52 and 50 months, respectively. The newly developed HCC risk score, Liang score, is composed of gender, age, hepatitis B virus DNA, fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) index, and ranges from 0 to 22. Area under the time-dependent receiver operating characteristic curve of Liang score was 0.79 (95% confidence interval, 0.70–0.89). A cutoff value of nine provided an extremely high negative predictive value of 99.9% and high sensitivity of 90.0% at 5 years in the validation cohort. Patients with Liang score ≤9 had HCC incidence <0.2% per year in both training and validation cohorts, in whom HCC surveillance might be exempted. Conclusion A novel HCC risk score, Liang score, based on FIB-4 index, is applicable and accurate to identify treatment-naïve CHB patients with very low risk of HCC to be exempted from HCC surveillance.