Hair and hair care

BOOK REVIEWS Hair and hair care Dale H. Johnson, editor, Monticello, N.Y., 1997, Marcel Dekker, Inc. 376 pages. $150.00. This text is the newest in the 17-volume set of the Marcel Dekker Cosmetic Science and Technology Series designed to fulfill the educational needs of the cosmetic chemist. These books cover topics from cosmetic and drug preservation to cosmetic safety to methods for cutaneous investigation to sunscreens to consumer testing to cosmetic microbiology. This addition to the landmark cosmetic series on hair and hair care is welcomed because many of the previous texts on hair, such as The Science of Hair Care edited by C. Zviak (1986) and Chemical and Physical Behavior of Human Hair edited by C. R. Robbins (1988), did not address some of the recent popular trends in chemical hair processing or the newer additives to hair conditioners. Although many books in the series represent a cooperative effort between industry experts and dermatologists, this text is written solely by persons in the hair care industry. Certainly, the author list includes extremely knowledgeable persons; however, the value of the text to the dermatologist could have been increased by expanding the scope to include such subjects as hair care products for patients with androgenetic alopecia and seborrheic dermatitis, as examples. The text focuses instead on formulation topics of main interest to the cosmetic hair care chemist, such as conditioning of the hair, hair styling/fixative products, hair waving, hair coloring, ethnic hair care products, fragrance for hair care products, and consumer research techniques. For the dermatologist with an interest in the basic chemistry and development of hair care products, this text contains the most recent definitive knowledge on the subject. It is an important reference book for anyone who wishes to work in the hair care industry. After reading this book, the dermatologist could certainly more aptly explain to patients why hair fractures readily follow permanent waving, how to lighten brown hair to blonde, and what constitutes the optimal hair conditioner. In summary, this well-written concise treatise on hair and hair care is a book for the dermatologist with a special interest in the topic. Zoe Draelos, MD High Point, North Carolina

Immunomodulatory and cytotoxic agents in dermatology Charles J. McDonald, editor, Monticello, Marcel Dekker, Inc. 416 pages. $175.00. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology

In the modest preface to this exceptional book Charles McDonald writes that the "text is intended to serve as an introduction to the use of immunomodulatory and cytotoxic drugs in current dermatologic practice." The book does that and much more. The text is divided into two parts, the first dealing with specific drugs or classes of drugs, and the second part addressing specific diseases. The section on specific drugs gives an overview of medications with which dermatologists should be familiar if we are to continue to practice medical dermatology. Mechlorethamine, cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, bleomycin, hydroxyurea, cyclosporine, and retinoids are discussed in some detail. A chapter on vitamin D analogues seems out of place in the midst of· potent chemotherapy and immunosuppressive agents, including purine and pyrimidine analogues, but that chapter is nevertheless well written and informative. The second part of the book on treatment of specific dermatologic disease is the text's most useful portion. Ruth Oratz and Jean-Claude Bystryn have written the most up-to-date chapter on treatment of malignant melanoma. Most of us leave the treatment of metastatic melanoma to oncologists without giving sufficient advice to our patients. All treatments that are used are put into perspective in this superb chapter. Charles McDonald's chapter on treatment of connective tissue diseases is likewise outstanding. The chapter covers the indications for use of cytotoxic agents, as well as the method and rationale for treatment of lupus erythematosus, progressive systemic sclerosis, and dermatomyositis. Stephen Wolverton's chapter on monitoring for adverse effects is similarly excellent and succinct. In 15 pages he covers all of the most commonly prescribed dermatologic drugs that require significant monitoring, including methotrexate, cyclosporine, and azathioprine. The only criticism one can have of this book is its price. At $175, it is almost as expensive as a large tube of one of the newly available psoriasis therapies! Given the nature of the treatments covered in this book, readers may well find the information presented to be lifesaving for their patients. Mark Lebwohl, MD New York, New York

Color textbook of pediatric dermatology. 2nd ed. William L. Weston, Alfred T. Lane, and Joseph G. June, Part 1, 1998

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