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and joined the MJH Life Sciences team in February 2023. She attended Kent State University and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in journalism with minors in public relations and creative writing. She enjoys making and listening to music, reading, and spending time with her cats, Astrid and Marceline.

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Catch up on dermatology news, highlights, and insights from the past 24 hours.

Daily Derm Times: July 8, 2025

The NEA’s Sam Iannotti, MPH, discusses how the Seal of Acceptance helps patients and clinicians identify products that meet rigorous eczema care standards.

Q&A With the NEA: Vetting Eczema-Safe Products Through the Seal of Acceptance

Maddi Hebebrand is an associate editor of 

and joined the MJH Life Sciences team in May 2024. She attended Baldwin Wallace University, studying Media Production and Film, and received her Masters in Digital Media from Ohio University. When she's not writing, Maddi loves to read, attend concerts and spend time with her family. 

Spesolimab effectively targets IL-36 receptor, reducing inflammation and preventing flares in generalized pustular psoriasis, offering new hope for patients.

Data Shows Spesolimab Maintains Skin Clarity Between GPP Flares

World Skin Health Day 2025 unites global leaders to advocate for skin health equity, emphasizing the urgent need for accessible dermatological care worldwide.

ILDS, ISD Commemorate World Skin Health Day 2025 With ‘No Health without Skin Health’ Theme

Dermatology Times connects dermatology professionals with key skin disorder coverage, therapeutic strategies, clinical trial updates, and expert insights.

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Kamran H. Imam, MD, hopes to unlock insights into the atopic disease burden among Native American populations.

Award Recipient to Focus on Atopic Dermatitis in Native Americans

Final Thoughts: The Importance of Comparative Studies in AD

Panelists offer concluding insights and emphasize the critical role of comparative studies in advancing atopic dermatitis treatment strategies.

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Nearly Half of Patients Respond to Ritlecitinib for Alopecia Areata, With Most Sustaining Results

A recent analysis of the ALLEGRO and ALLEGRO-LT trials found that nearly half of patients with moderate to severe alopecia areata treated with ritlecitinib (Litfulo) achieved significant scalp hair regrowth, with 46% of responders achieving complete regrowth and 93.1% maintaining it over 2 years. Clinical response was more likely among younger, predominantly female patients with milder baseline disease and shorter disease duration, whereas older age, male sex, and extensive or prolonged hair loss predicted poorer outcomes.

Chronic Urticaria Is Linked to Increased Odds of Psychiatric Comorbidity

A recent case-controlled study published in the 

Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology

 found that individuals with chronic urticaria are significantly more likely to develop psychiatric comorbidities, including anxiety, depression, insomnia, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, and substance use disorder, compared with controls. The strongest associations were seen with psychological stress and dysthymia, with odds ratios exceeding 3 for most conditions.

What’s Shaping the Future of Alopecia Treatment, According to Leading Clinicians

Hair loss was a front-and-center theme at the 2025 Society of Dermatology Physician Associates Summer Dermatology Conference in Washington, DC, where several key opinion leaders and experts shared practical, evidence-based approaches for managing and treating alopecia areata, scarring alopecias, and nonscarring hair loss.

Across several sessions, dermatology clinicians received a tool kit of diagnostic and therapeutic insights, from the evolving role of Janus kinase inhibitors to the diagnostic power of trichoscopy and the hidden role of allergic triggers. We've compiled a list of the top 3 takeaways from talks on hair loss.

Q&A: Jonathan Bernstein, MD, FAAAAI, Discusses Advances in Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria Treatments and AAAAI Data

At the 2025 American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (AAAAI)/World Allergy Organization Joint Congress, Jonathan Bernstein, MD, FAAAAI, presented multiple abstracts on the efficacy of rilzabrutinib in chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU). In addition, Bernstein authored an abstract outlining findings from the phase 3 LIBERTY-CSU CUPID trial (Study A and Study C) evaluating dupilumab (Dupixent; Regeneron Pharmaceuticals and Sanofi) in patients with CSU who remain symptomatic despite H1 antihistamine treatment.

, Bernstein, a physician practicing in Cincinnati, Ohio, explored the studies and their key insights, their clinical impact on dermatologists and allergists, and the implications for the future of CSU treatment.

Late-Breaking Data: Real-World Data From Canada Show Upadacitinib Is Effective in Patients With Moderate to Severe AD With Inadequate Response to Dupilumab

At RAD 2025, Vimal H. Prajapati, MD, presented real-world data from the Canadian CAN UpTIMISE study, showing that upadacitinib significantly improved skin clearance, itch, and quality of life in adults with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis (AD) who had an inadequate response or tolerability issues with dupilumab. By month 4, 65.9% achieved clear/almost clear skin (validated Investigator Global Assessment for AD, 0/1), with rapid improvements seen as early as month 1. Safety findings were consistent with prior data, with most adverse events being mild or moderate. The study supports switching to upadacitinib as a viable next step in treatment sequencing.

Recent trials indicate that ritlecitinib is effective for alopecia areata, with nearly half of patients achieving significant hair regrowth. Chronic urticaria is linked to increased psychiatric comorbidities, with strong associations with stress and dysthymia. Advances in alopecia treatment were discussed at the SDPA conference, highlighting JAK inhibitors and trichoscopy. Jonathan Bernstein presented findings on rilzabrutinib and dupilumab for chronic spontaneous urticaria at the AAAAI/WAO Congress. Real-world data from Canada shows upadacitinib is effective for atopic dermatitis patients unresponsive to dupilumab, with significant improvements in skin clearance and quality of life.

Explore the top headlines of the week, including insights on the latest clinical trials, therapeutic updates, and more.

Top 5 Articles of the Week: June 29-July 4

Atopic dermatitis (AD) remains one of the most common and burdensome chronic inflammatory skin diseases, affecting up to 10% of the population worldwide. Despite the availability of numerous treatment options—including topical anti-inflammatories, systemic agents, and targeted biologics—many patients continue to experience poorly controlled symptoms such as pruritus, erythema, and sleep disturbances.

 In recently published insights, Park et al explored the therapeutic potential of whole-body cryotherapy (WBC) as an emerging nonpharmacologic treatment strategy for AD, citing promising anti-inflammatory and antipruritic effects.

According to Park et al, limited treatment efficacy in some patients has led researchers to investigate adjunctive or alternative approaches for symptom management.

 Cryotherapy, commonly used in dermatology for localized treatments, is increasingly being studied for its systemic immunomodulatory properties. In the context of AD, skin cooling is thought to exert anti-inflammatory effects by decreasing peripheral nerve conduction velocity, reducing acetylcholine synthesis, and downregulating inflammatory cytokines such as IL-4 and IL-5—factors closely associated with AD pathophysiology. Notably, Piao et al demonstrated that cold thermal therapy significantly reduced these cytokines in experimental settings.

"While it might seem bizarre or even dangerous, whole-body cryotherapy is actually more established than some may realize,” study author Peter Lio, MD, told 

. “Recently, I was thinking about the late great Lloyd E. King Jr, [MD, PhD], who used to talk about how cooling the skin is often used to decrease inflammation and swelling, and that it could perhaps be used for some of our chronic inflammatory disorders as well. Once you think about it that way, it makes sense that cooling the skin down could help with inflammation and itch in AD."

Park et al further discussed the distinction between localized cryotherapy and WBC, noting that although localized application has shown some benefit in reducing pruritus, WBC may offer broader systemic effects. WBC involves exposing the entire body to extremely cold temperatures (between –100 °C and –180 °C) for a short duration, typically under 3 minutes, within a cryochamber. The exposure is believed to increase antioxidative capacity and elevate systemic concentrations of anti-inflammatory cytokines, potentially leading to symptom improvement.

Only 2 clinical studies to date have directly investigated the effects of WBC in patients with AD, both of which are referenced by Park et al. In a 2008 study by Klimenko et al, 18 patients with mild to moderate AD received WBC treatments 3 times weekly over 4 weeks without concurrent use of corticosteroids, calcineurin inhibitors, or antihistamines. Participants experienced significant improvements in SCORing Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) scores, pruritus, sleep quality, and transepidermal water loss (all 

 < .05). Adverse events were minimal, and patient satisfaction was high.

A more recent 2020 study by Kepinska-Szyszkowska et al involved 14 patients with AD who were treated with 15 WBC sessions over 1 month. Like the earlier study, topical and systemic anti-inflammatories were withheld. Posttreatment assessments revealed a statistically significant reduction in SCORAD scores (

 < .05), with improvements sustained up to 3 weeks after the final session.

Park et al emphasized the safety profile of WBC, noting that reported adverse events were limited to mild, transient effects such as dry skin and acral frostbite. They recommend that cryotherapy chambers include real-time monitoring, emergency stop mechanisms, and communication systems to ensure patient safety throughout treatment sessions.

Although early findings are promising, Park et al acknowledged key limitations in the current evidence base—including small study populations, lack of control groups, and limited follow-up—which restrict the ability to assess long-term outcomes or compare WBC with standard therapies. They conclude that WBC may represent a viable adjunctive therapy for patients with mild to moderate AD, particularly those seeking nonpharmacologic options or those with partial responses to existing treatments.

Further research, ideally in the form of large-scale randomized controlled trials, is needed to validate the efficacy and safety of WBC in AD and determine its optimal role in clinical practice. Until then, Park et al advised that WBC be approached as an experimental yet potentially valuable tool in the multidisciplinary management of AD.

Eczema stats. National Eczema Association. 2024. Accessed July 2, 2025. 

https://nationaleczema.org/research/eczema-facts/

Klimenko T, Ahvenainen S, Karvonen SL. Whole-body cryotherapy in atopic dermatitis. 

 2008;144(6):806-808. doi:10.1001/archderm.144.6.806

Park A, Wan L, Lio P. Systemic cryotherapy: a potential therapeutic option for mild to moderate atopic dermatitis. 

Piao CH, Kim M, Bui TT, et al. Anti-inflammatory effects of cold thermal therapy on allergic skin inflammation induced by trimellitic anhydride in BALB/c mice. 

. 2019;2019:1936769. doi:10.1155/2019/1936769

Kepinska-Szyszkowska M, Misiorek A, Kapinska-Mrowiecka M, Tabak J, Malina K. Assessment of the influence systemic cryotherapy exerts on chosen skin scores of patients with atopic dermatitis: pilot study. 

. 2020;2020:5279642. doi:10.1155/2020/5279642

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a prevalent chronic inflammatory skin condition affecting up to 10% of the global population. Despite various treatment options, many patients experience poorly controlled symptoms. Whole-body cryotherapy (WBC) is emerging as a promising non-pharmacologic treatment, offering anti-inflammatory and antipruritic effects. Studies have shown significant improvements in AD symptoms with WBC, though evidence is limited by small sample sizes and lack of control groups. Further large-scale research is needed to validate WBC's efficacy and safety as an adjunctive therapy for AD.

Explore the potential of whole-body cryotherapy as a novel, nonpharmacologic treatment for effectively managing atopic dermatitis symptoms.

Cold Therapy May Relieve Inflammation in AD

Although histopathological evaluation through punch biopsy remains the gold standard for basal cell carcinoma (BCC) diagnosis, it is invasive, time-consuming, and often unnecessary in lesions that can be reliably identified by noninvasive techniques.

 Optical coherence tomography (OCT), a light-based imaging modality capable of providing cross-sectional images of skin structures up to 1.5 mm in depth, is emerging as an alternative tool for BCC diagnosis. Recent studies have demonstrated that OCT can guide diagnosis and management, with comparable accuracy to biopsy-guided strategies, while minimizing procedural risks and cost.

A pivotal randomized noninferiority trial showed that OCT-based assessment by experienced users had a sensitivity of 85.5% and specificity of 94.6% in detecting BCC, affirming its clinical utility in cases where diagnosis is uncertain.

 However, widespread clinical adoption is currently hampered by a shortage of trained OCT assessors and the absence of standardized training pathways. Addressing this gap, a recent study investigated the feasibility and effectiveness of a novel e-learning program integrated with cumulative sum (CUSUM) analysis to train health care professionals in OCT-based diagnosis of BCC.

This digital training framework, developed by Maastricht University Medical Center+, included a theoretical module and practical exercises featuring 600 cases of histopathologically confirmed lesions. Trainees from 5 professional categories—dermatologists, residents, research physicians, nurses, and medical students—were instructed to evaluate OCT scans and corresponding lesion photographs and provide diagnostic confidence scores using a 5-point scale. CUSUM analysis continuously monitored performance, enabling trainees to visualize their diagnostic learning curve and determine when acceptable diagnostic accuracy was achieved and maintained.

Acceptable performance was defined as a diagnostic error rate of 16%, based on expert benchmarks, with an unacceptable rate of 25% reflecting clinical examination error. Trainees needed to demonstrate sustained acceptable performance across consecutive series of assessments to complete the training.

Training Outcomes and Diagnostic Performance

The researchers stated that 17 of 40 trainees successfully completed the program, requiring a median of 385 OCT evaluations and 11 hours of study. Sixteen of these novice assessors participated in a subsequent diagnostic accuracy study. When assessed on a new data set of 100 OCT scans of equivocal lesions (50 BCC and 50 non-BCC), the pooled area under the curve across all assessors was 0.852, indicating good diagnostic accuracy.

Novice assessors achieved high specificity (95.4%) for non-BCC lesions, an essential safety metric ensuring appropriate biopsy referral for non-BCC cases. However, the sensitivity for detecting BCC with high confidence was reported to be 31.1%, indicating that novice assessors were cautious in making a definitive diagnosis. When a slightly lower confidence threshold was accepted (score ≥ 3 instead of 4), the researchers stated that sensitivity improved to 58.8% with a modest drop in specificity to 91.5%.

For BCC subtyping, which is critical in determining appropriate treatment (eg, topical for superficial BCC vs excision for nodular/infiltrative BCC), the pooled sensitivity and specificity were 87.5% and 86.2%, respectively. Importantly, researchers found misclassification of aggressive subtypes as superficial was rare, suggesting the training sufficiently mitigates the risk of undertreatment.

Clinical Implications and Future Directions

The researchers stated that these results suggest that CUSUM-integrated e-learning is a promising tool for OCT training, offering scalability, performance monitoring, and the potential to alleviate reliance on in-person instruction. Although diagnostic confidence among novices was limited, their high specificity and subtyping accuracy support this training as a safe entry point into clinical OCT application. They noted that additional experience and supervision by experts may enhance sensitivity over time.

The study noted that a key advantage of this training model is its accessibility, as it allows remote, self-paced learning and real-time performance tracking. However, challenges remain: Only 17 of 40 participants completed training, underscoring potential barriers such as time constraints and motivation. Moreover, the artificial nature of the testing environment, which lacks the context of full clinical assessment, may limit generalizability.

CUSUM-integrated e-learning was found to be an effective, scalable approach to training health care professionals in differentiating BCC from non-BCC on OCT. Upon completion, researchers stated that novice assessors demonstrate high specificity (95.4%) and satisfactory performance in BCC subtyping. Although diagnostic confidence and sensitivity remain areas for growth, this training provides a safe and structured foundation for integrating OCT into clinical dermatologic practice. As OCT technology and access expand, the study stated that structured digital training may play a pivotal role in standardizing and optimizing noninvasive skin cancer diagnosis.

Adan F, Nelemans PJ, Essers BAB, et al. Optical coherence tomography versus punch biopsy for diagnosis of basal cell carcinoma: a multicentre, randomised, non-inferiority trial. 

 2022;23(8):1087-1096. doi:10.1016/S1470-2045(22)00347-3

Welzel J. Optical coherence tomography in dermatology: a review. 

 2001;7(1):1-9. doi:10.1034/j.1600-0846.2001.007001001.x

Wolswijk T, Nelemans PJ, Adan F, et al. Cumulative sum analysis-integrated e-learning for differentiation between basal cell carcinoma and non-basal cell carcinoma on optical coherence tomography: an observational cohort study. 

 Published online June 27, 2025. doi:10.1111/ijd.17918

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is emerging as a non-invasive alternative to punch biopsy for basal cell carcinoma (BCC) diagnosis, offering comparable accuracy while reducing procedural risks and costs. A recent study demonstrated the effectiveness of a CUSUM-integrated e-learning program for training healthcare professionals in OCT-based BCC diagnosis. Despite challenges in diagnostic confidence and sensitivity, the program showed high specificity and subtyping accuracy. This digital training model provides a scalable, accessible approach to OCT education, potentially enhancing non-invasive skin cancer diagnosis as OCT technology becomes more widespread.

E-learning enhances skin cancer detection by training professionals in optical coherence tomography (OCT) for accurate differentiation between basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and non-BCC lesions.

E-Learning Boosts OCT Training for BCC Detection

What are you most looking forward to as the 2025 Society of Dermatology Physician Associates (SDPA) Summer Dermatology Conference kicks off today in Washington, DC?

Not sure what sessions are going to peak your interest yet? Be sure to check out our 

comprehensive conference preview by visiting our SDPA conference coverage home page

Are you attending the conference and want to share your insights with our team while we are live and on-site in the nation's capital? Email our team at 

Caring for patients of special populations

keep up to date with the latest in coverage from the conference

Click here to answer our poll and let us know what you're looking forward to at the SDPA's summer conference.

POLL: What Topic Are You Most Looking Forward to at SDPA Summer 2025?

Innovative Approaches in Vitiligo Treatment: Case-Based Strategies for Management​

, Michael Gold, MD, guided clinician attendees through 3 challenging vitiligo cases, reinforcing both the complexity of treatment and the emotional and social factors that affect therapeutic decisions. Gold, a board-certified dermatologist, founder, and director of Gold Skin Care Center in Nashville, Tennessee, highlighted topical ruxolitinib (Opzelura; Incyte), excimer laser therapy, and emerging treatments, emphasizing that vitiligo remains a largely individualized condition.

Case No. 1: Adolescent with Facial and Scalp Involvement

The first case involved a 13-year-old girl with vitiligo affecting the forehead, scalp, and eyelashes. Topical ruxolitinib was initiated, with marked repigmentation of the forehead over time. However, the eyelashes and scalp showed only modest improvement. Gold emphasized setting realistic timelines and expectations with patients and families—clearance is not rapid, and results vary by anatomical site. The eyelashes, in particular, remained refractory, and excimer laser was discussed as a potential next step for the scalp, though not recommended for the periocular area. The broader conversation addressed how psychosocial impacts often vary more by perception than by lesion extent: was the patient or her parents more distressed? This distinction informed whether to escalate treatment or adopt a maintenance and observation approach.

"This is a difficult case, but what the attendees said is that this isn't something that is going to go away quickly. We may need some other treatment down the line when something new comes out, whether it's one of the orals or injectables that are in the pipeline," Gold said. 

Case No. 2: Longstanding Vitiligo with Hand and Facial Involvement

The second case illustrated the treatment trajectory of a 35-year-old woman who had tried mild facial topical steroids, more potent agents on the hands, and calcineurin inhibitors (eg, tacrolimus, pimecrolimus), eventually progressing to ruxolitinib. Discussion extended beyond pharmacology to include the concept of camouflage products as a practical tool in this patient’s routine, particularly for facial lesions. Attendees raised the point of cosmetic adaptability and technique, particularly in young individuals who may normalize camouflage use. Another key moment was the mention of newly FDA-approved autologous skin cell suspension, opening new surgical options for treatment-resistant areas such as the hands.

 Gold highlighted this as a promising adjunct, particularly for patients with stable disease and localized depigmentation.

Case No. 3: Segmental Vitiligo in a Child Under 12

The final case reviewed an 8-year-old girl with classic segmental vitiligo. Off-label use of topical ruxolitinib, though not currently approved under age 12, was part of the treatment regimen, alongside excimer laser therapy. The patient achieved notable repigmentation, particularly with laser, reinforcing its role in localized disease when applied consistently. However, the issue of access was raised: excimer laser remains uncovered for most vitiligo patients, despite demonstrated benefit. 

"The biggest issue that we deal with in a patient like this is that excimer laser is not covered in 99% of our vitiligo patients. So, it's a lot of money, it's a lot of treatments, and you have to factor that into what you're doing," Gold noted.

The case discussion closed with consensus on the importance of balancing medical appropriateness with practical and emotional factors, particularly in pediatric cases where disease visibility intersects with developmental identity.

Gold concluded with a preview of the therapeutic horizon (

). Attendees expressed particular enthusiasm about the prospect of oral agents for vitiligo, noting that while IV biologics exist in the pipeline, systemic pills, if effective and safe, could become a game changer. The potential for new topicals, and perhaps injectables, also generated discussion around real-world adoption pathways.

Figure 1. Vitiligo Pipeline

α-MSH, alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone; BD, bromodomain; BET, bromodomain and extra-terminal; ​

Fc, fragment crystallizable; IL, interleukin; JAK, Janus kinase; TEC, tyrosine kinase expressed in hepatocellular carcinoma.​

Hamzavi IH, Ganesan AK, Mahmoud BH, et al. Effective and durable repigmentation for stable vitiligo: a randomized within-subject controlled trial assessing treatment with autologous skin cell suspension transplantation. 

. 2024 Dec;91(6):1104-1112. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2024.08.027 ​

Seong SH, Oh SH. Up-and-coming drugs for the treatment of vitiligo. 

At a recent Dermatology Times Case-Based Roundtable event, Michael Gold, MD, explored innovative vitiligo treatment strategies through complex cases and emerging therapies.

Kamran H. Imam, MD

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