Susan Taylor, MD, FAAD

An expert discusses how an important part of personalized photoprotection is providing instructions to patients on how and when to apply and reapply sunscreen. It is advised that sunscreen be applied 20 to 30 minutes before going outdoors. It is critical for patients to reapply sunscreen every 2 hours or 4 times a day, depending on the length of time the patient is outdoors.

An expert discusses how dermatologists guide patients in selecting sunscreens based on skin type (fair skin, skin of color, sensitive skin), coexisting conditions, and environmental exposure (blue light, heavy sun). They recommend sun protection factor (SPF) levels and key ingredients and address adherence barriers. Beyond sunscreen, protective clothing, antioxidants, and physical blockers help shield against visible light and infrared radiation.

An expert discusses how oxidative stress accelerates skin aging by damaging cells through free radicals, which form from UV exposure. Antioxidants such as vitamins C and E, niacinamide, and polyphenols counteract this damage. Combining antioxidants with sunscreen enhances protection, reducing free radical formation and optimizing skin health.

An expert discusses a comprehensive review of treatment options for a 32-year-old woman with alopecia areata, covering baricitinib dosing (4 mg initially), monitoring requirements vs ritlecitinib, expected outcomes, and considerations for topical immunotherapy vs JAK inhibitors.

An expert discusses a 32-year-old woman with alopecia areata affecting eyebrows/eyelashes. Treatment options include topical/intralesional steroids, minoxidil, prostaglandin analogues, JAK inhibitors, and cosmetic approaches.

An expert discusses how UV radiation causes DNA damage, accelerating skin aging and cancer risk. Visible light and infrared radiation induce oxidative stress and hyperpigmentation, especially in darker skin tones. Conventional sunscreens shield against UV radiation but offer limited visible light and infrared protection. Mineral filters (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide) provide broad coverage, while chemical filters (oxybenzone, avobenzone) absorb UV radiation but lack efficacy against visible and infrared radiation.

An expert discusses how UV radiation makes up about 7% of the sun’s energy and penetrates the skin, causing aging, hyperpigmentation, and inflammation. Visible light and infrared radiation contribute to skin damage, with blue light being more harmful than red light due to its deeper penetration.

An expert discusses how alopecia areata significantly affects adolescent mental health. Treatment with ritlecitinib requires proper severity assessment via Severity of Alopecia Tool (SALT) score, clear communication of realistic timelines and goals, careful monitoring, and discussion of potential adverse effects. Long-term adherence is crucial for maintaining results.

An expert discusses how treatment for this adolescent boy with severe alopecia areata must balance efficacy with age-appropriate safety, considering psychological impact, growth/development factors, and family preferences while selecting among topical, intralesional, systemic, or emerging biologic options.

An expert discusses how treatment for alopecia areata begins with topical/intralesional therapies for limited disease and progresses to systemic options for extensive involvement or treatment resistance. Treatment decisions are guided by disease severity, patient age, comorbidities, and treatment goals. FDA-approved systemic agents include ritlecitinib (JAK3/TEC inhibitor) and baricitinib (JAK1/2 inhibitor), which block inflammatory pathways to promote hair regrowth with favorable efficacy, though they require monitoring for potential adverse effects.

An expert discusses how alopecia areata affects approximately 2% of the population globally, with onset typically in childhood or early adulthood. Patients often present with autoimmune comorbidities (thyroid disorders, vitiligo, atopic dermatitis) and psychological distress. Diagnostic challenges include differentiating from other hair loss conditions and predicting disease course. Treatment difficulties involve unpredictable responses, lack of standardized protocols, and addressing both physical symptoms and psychological impact.

Susan Taylor, MD, explained the current state of diversity in clinical trials, what is going well, and opportunities to improve.

Susan Taylor, MD, shared what she wants to know about patients' functionality to treat their atopic dermatitis with hand or foot involvement.

Experts in dermatological conditions provide insight on challenges patients and clinicians may face in accessing vitiligo medications, especially for newer therapies, and the future of vitiligo treatment.

Susan C. Taylor, MD, and George Han, MD, PhD, discuss how to measure treatment response in patients with vitiligo and share advice for counseling patients about long-term use and compliance of treatment.

Dr Susan C. Taylor leads a discussion on newly approved agent, ruxolitinib, and its use in clinical practice as a targeted treatment option for patients with vitiligo.

Experts in dermatology comment on treatment approaches to vitiligo, including home phototherapy devices and recent autologous cell-harvesting technology for burn victims.

Drs Susan C. Taylor and George Han highlight the importance of setting goals, managing patient expectations, and shared-decision making for vitiligo treatment.

Susan C. Taylor, MD, leads a discussion on approaching patient conversations on vitiligo including understanding patient lifestyle, cultural impact, and the impact on QoL.

Experts in dermatological conditions review the different types of vitiligo and comment on distinguishing features that may be affected as well as differentiating from other hypopigmentation skin conditions.

Susan C. Taylor, MD, and George Han, MD, PhD, provide insight on disease awareness for vitiligo, patient demographics, and factors that contribute to vitiligo etiology.

Susan Taylor, MD, FAAD, discusses how an individual can select a sunscreen as well as barriers to using them.

Dr Susan Taylor, an expert dermatologist, discusses how to increase awareness and avoid misconceptions for individuals using sunscreens.

Susan Taylor, MD, FAAD, discusses how to select a sunscreen based on different patient characteristics.

Expert dermatologist, Susan Taylor, MD, FAAD, discusses available sunscreen options to patients.

Susan Taylor, MD, FAAD, discusses FDA regulations for sunscreens.

Susan Taylor, MD, FAAD, addresses gaps in understanding damage to the skin by the general population.

Expert dermatologist Susan Taylor, MD, FAAD, provides education to community dermatologists about the pathophysiology of skin damage

Susan Taylor, MD, FAAD, compares how skin damage can occur in individuals with skin of color compared with individuals with light skin.

Susan Taylor, MD, FAAD, provides an overview of sun-caused skin damage.