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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 is now finishing her Masters in Digital Media through Ohio University. When she's not writing, Maddi loves to read, attend concerts and spend time with her family.

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Explore the top headlines of the week including insights on voluntary recalls, DIMIDs and pandemic risks, and AAD pearls.

Dermatology Times' Sunday Crossword: March 23, 2025

Marie Bosslett is the assistant editor of 

 and joined the MJH Life Sciences team in October 2024. She attended Loyola University Maryland in Baltimore and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communication with minors in marketing and writing. When she’s not writing, Marie enjoys going to concerts, reading on the beach, and spending time with friends and family.

In case you missed it, this week we had news about positive results from Incyte’s phase 3 STOP-HS trials, multidisciplinary approaches to advanced BCC and CSCC, pediatric ocular adverse effects associated with dupilumab, and more.

The Weekly Roundup: March 17-21

This week, we feature top articles from our sister publications on long COVID recovery, integrating AI into pharmacy, and more.

The Rx Recap: March 16-22

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It is crucial to better understand, diagnose, and manage this skin condition associated with significant quality-of-life impairment.

Overview of Prurigo Nodularis for Practicing Dermatology Clinicians

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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Video Series

Hyperhidrosis is not rare. According to the 

, approximately 385 million people worldwide live with hyperhidrosis.

In fact, they note that the amount of people living with chronic, excessive sweating is even higher than the amount of people living with other dermatologic conditions like psoriasis.

Just how common is hyperhidrosis in real-world comparisons?

The prevalence of hyperhidrosis is much higher in younger populations than in the general population, with 8.8% of individuals between the ages of 18 to 39 years old living with the condition. 

When comparing these statistics to everyday, common occurrences like hair color, the number of people with hyperhidrosis is greater than the 1% of individuals with natural red hair and 2% of individuals with natural blond hair. 

Despite how common hyperhidrosis is, it is estimated that 27% of those with the condition never receive a diagnosis.

 wants to hear from you. What percentage of the global population is estimated to have hyperhidrosis?

 to share your hyperhidrosis insights or research.

Albert. Fact check: Hyperhidrosis - International Hyperhidrosis Society: Official site. Home - International Hyperhidrosis Society. October 24, 1970. Accessed November 16, 2023. 

https://www.sweathelp.org/home/news-blog/542-fact-check-hyperhidrosis.html

Hyperhidrosis affects approximately 385 million people globally, surpassing the prevalence of other dermatologic conditions like psoriasis. It is notably more common in younger populations, with 8.8% of individuals aged 18 to 39 experiencing the condition. Comparatively, hyperhidrosis is more prevalent than natural red or blond hair, which affects 1% and 2% of the population, respectively. Despite its prevalence, 27% of those with hyperhidrosis remain undiagnosed. The article encourages engagement during Hyperhidrosis Awareness Month to share insights and research on the condition.

Click here to answer this week's poll for Hyperhidrosis Awareness Month.

Polls 

POLL: What Percent of the Global Population is Estimated to Have Hyperhidrosis?

“When you have a hemangioma—a infantile hemangioma that's larger, more what we call 

, not round, patterned, often syndromic—what is the role of laser in those children? And especially the timing—should we be thinking about potentially lasering earlier than we traditionally have?” Denise W. Metry, MD, FAAD, a dermatologist in South Texas practicing at Driscoll Children's in Corpus Christi, tackled those and other controversial issues in lasers and infantile hemangiomas at the 2025 American Academy of Dermatology Annual Meeting.

The use of lasers in treating infantile hemangiomas, particularly larger, segmental lesions, remains a topic of debate among dermatologists, Metry told 

in an exclusive interview. Although laser therapy has been a mainstay in managing port wine birthmarks, its role in segmental infantile hemangiomas has historically been limited due to concerns over ischemia and ulceration, she explained.

Understanding the Controversies in Lasers and Infantile Hemangiomas 

“There is some data from about 20 years ago that really discouraged people from lasering those types of hemangiomas early, because the laser technology just wasn't where it is today,” Metry said. “We've now got cooling devices, we've got beta blockers, and we know what the risks are in these babies, which are really ischemia and ulceration.”

Ultimately, she told attendees they need to balance laser use pros with its cons.

Although it can be difficult to distinguish between a port wine birthmark and a segmental infantile hemangioma, early differentiation is crucial, as treatment approaches differ significantly, Metry added. She reminded attendees that port wine birthmarks are well-demarcated, solid, and uniform, whereas hemangiomas tend to be more telangiectatic and evolve over time. Misclassification can lead to inappropriate treatment plans.

In contrast to port wine birthmarks, hemangiomas are dynamic lesions. “We know hemangioma tissue occurs as a result of hypoxia, and there are probably vascular changes that explain that. They're prone to ulceration and ischemia,” she said.

Fortunately, Metry noted there are great resources for dermatologists treating these lesions, such as the Hemangioma Investigator Group’s website (hemangiomaeducation.org) as well as journal articles.

For continued conference coverage, expert insights, and breaking news, 

 1. Metry DW. Laser for Complicated Segmental Infantile Hemangiomas: Who, What, Where, and Why Presented at: the American Academy of Dermatology Annual Meeting; March 7-11; Orlando, Florida.

Denise W. Metry, MD, FAAD, explored the controversies in using lasers in infantile hemangiomas at the AAD Annual Meeting.

“A lot of these treatments are what we say, ‘generally regarded as safe,’ because they're being employed in the public all the time. People are using them all the time. The issue is, once something is being done over and over again, you are going to have complications. Now you can't avoid the complications once they happen, but learning how to fix these complications is huge,” said Karan Lal, DO, MS, FAAD, in an interview at the 2025 American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) Annual Meeting in Orlando, Florida.

Lal, a double-board certified pediatric and cosmetic dermatologist at Affiliated Dermatology in Scottsdale, Arizona, the pediatric dermatology director for the Omni Dermatology Residency Program, a cosmetic-teaching faculty member at the Northwell Health Residency Program in New York, and a 

 Editorial Advisory Board member, recently presented “Complications of RF and U/S Devices” at AAD.

Radiofrequency (RF) and ultrasound-based technologies are generally considered safe. However, complications arise with increased use, making it necessary for clinicians to understand their prevention and management, according to Lal.

At AAD 2025, Karan Lal, DO, MS, FAAD, presented clinical insights on insulated microneedling tips, grounding pad issues in monopolar radiofrequency, and more. 

How to Avoid Complications With Radiofrequency and Ultrasound-Based Technologies 

RF technologies include monopolar, bipolar, and multipolar devices for skin tightening and fat reduction. Additionally, RF microneedling is frequently employed for facial and body rejuvenation. While effective, these treatments carry risks, particularly in patients with skin of color.

Insulated vs. Non-Insulated Microneedling Tips

Patients with darker skin tones should be treated with insulated RF microneedling tips to prevent epidermal injury and burns.

Non-insulated tips allow backflow of energy, increasing the risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) and scarring.

Monopolar RF requires a grounding pad to maintain safe energy flow. If the pad loses contact due to patient sweating, energy dispersal can lead to blister formation and burns.

Ensuring adequate pad placement and monitoring for moisture buildup is critical.

Despite manufacturer claims, not all devices are safe for patients with skin of color. Clinicians should critically assess the technology, considering how RF energy interacts with melanin-rich skin.

If an adverse reaction occurs during treatment, stopping immediately can mitigate further complications.

Ultrasound treatments, including high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) and high-frequency ultrasound, are non-invasive skin-tightening modalities. While they don’t penetrate the skin barrier, improper technique can lead to significant complications.

Adequate coupling gel is essential for proper energy transmission.

Insufficient probe-skin contact can result in uneven energy distribution, causing first-degree burns and blistering.

Ultrasound treatments are commonly used around the periorbital region. However, if improperly anchored, energy can be directed toward the eye, leading to ocular damage.

When treating the eye area, clinicians should:

Anchor the probe on bony structures (eg, orbital rim).

Ensure energy delivery is directed away from the eye.

Preventing Nerve Injury Around the Mouth and Brow

HIFU treatments near the upper cutaneous lip and lateral brow can cause temporary motor nerve paralysis, particularly at high energies with multiple passes.

Adjusting depth settings and limiting energy delivery in nerve-dense areas minimizes the risk.

 How to Avoid Complications With Radiofrequency and Ultrasound-Based Technologies 

JiaDe 'Jeff' Yu, MD, FAAD, a dermatologist at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, shared highlights from his presentations on the importance of recognizing and effectively managing allergic contact dermatitis at the 2025 American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) Annual Meeting.

 Yu emphasized that allergic contact dermatitis remains largely underrecognized and undertested, leading to inadequate treatment for affected children and adults.

When evaluating a patient with eczema, Yu said clinicians should investigate to determine if the presentation is solely atopic dermatitis or if allergic contact dermatitis is also present. In his experience, he has seen clinicians default to only treating atopic dermatitis, thereby missing a critical component of their condition.

Discussing allergic contact dermatitis at AAD 

Allergic Contact Dermatitis

Patch testing is essential for accurately diagnosing allergic contact dermatitis, he added. Although patients may inquire about alternative diagnostic methods (eg, blood tests), noted that comprehensive patch testing remains the only reliable approach.

Just as there are many potential sources for allergic contact dermatitis, there are equally a large variety of patch testing series available, each tailored to different patient populations, Yu explained. For young children, for example, there is a pediatric-specific series tests for the 40 most common allergens. Older children and adults may benefit from a more extensive series covering at least 80 allergens. Additionally, specialized patch test panels exist for individuals with specific occupational or environmental exposures, including a dental series for dentists, a health care worker series for professionals exposed to rubber gloves, and a hair care series for individuals frequently handling hair products, said Yu.

As in some other areas of medicine, prevention is a powerful weapon against allergic contact dermatitis, Yu explained. Thus, once an allergen is identified, the cornerstone of treatment is avoidance, and removing the offending substance from daily life can lead to significant clinical improvement. However, as a realist, he said there are options for those cases in which avoidance is not feasible—such as occupational exposure or shared living spaces. In those cases, topical therapies can be effective and include topical steroids, topical calcineurin inhibitors, and other non-steroidal topical agents, all of which Yu said can effectively manage localized allergic contact dermatitis.

Yu noted he is excited to hear other lectures at the meeting, including learning about the promise of new treatments in dermatology in general as well as allergic contact dermatitis in particular. He was looking forward to hearing more about OX40 inhibition, a novel mechanism that may play a role in contact dermatitis by modulating activated T cells, at the annual meeting.

Additionally, new topical treatments for chronic hand eczema—a condition frequently seen in contact dermatitis clinics—are on the horizon, he said. Yu is optimistic that these upcoming therapies will provide much-needed relief for patients and enhance treatment options available to dermatologists.

1. Yu J. Overlap of Atopic Dermatitis and Allergic Contact Dermatitis. Presented at the 2025 American Academy of Dermatology Annual Meeting; March 7-11, 2025; Orlando, Florida.

JiaDe Yu, MD, discussed important clinical issues in allergic contact dermatitis at the AAD Annual Meeting.   

Advancing Recognition and Treatment of Allergic Contact Dermatitis

“When it comes to oral antibiotics, one of the topics I focused on is the fact that antibiotic stewardship is needed. I also like to say that we are honorary gastroenterologists in dermatology because the antibiotics we prescribe affect the gut. We know that the gut microbiome is so important to human health,” said Christopher Bunick, MD, PhD, in an interview at the 

2025 American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) Annual Meeting

Bunick, associate professor of dermatology and translational biomedicine at Yale School of Medicine in New Haven, Connecticut, and 

’ Editor in Chief, presented “Updates on Antibiotics for Acne and Rosacea” at the annual meeting.

In his presentation, Bunick reviewed the evolving role of antibiotics in acne management. His presentation focused on the importance of antibiotic stewardship while outlining the latest recommendations from the 

Christopher Bunick, MD, PhD, reviewed the evolving role of antibiotics, emphasizing antibiotic stewardship, the gut-skin connection, and the importance of narrow-spectrum antibiotics at AAD 2025. 

Improving Acne Treatment Through Antibiotic Stewardship and Gut-Skin Health 

Bunick emphasized the efficacy of new triple combination topical therapies that include clindamycin and benzoyl peroxide. These formulations have demonstrated both strong safety profiles and significant clinical benefits for patients with acne. While topical treatments are a key part of acne treatment, oral antibiotics, particularly tetracyclines, remain widely prescribed.

According to Bunick, tetracyclines account for approximately 75% of oral antibiotic prescriptions in dermatology. He stressed that dermatologists should be well-versed in their use, not only for their antimicrobial properties but also for their potent anti-inflammatory effects, which play a crucial role in acne management.

Another key point of his presentation was the need for responsible antibiotic prescribing. Bunick discussed the importance of protecting the gut microbiome, reinforcing that dermatologists should be mindful of the gut-skin connection. To mitigate the risks of antibiotic resistance and gut dysbiosis, he advocated for the use of narrow-spectrum antibiotics, which effectively target inflammation while minimizing disruption to the microbiome. He demonstrated their clinical value by showing patient cases where narrow-spectrum antibiotics were successfully used for acne, rosacea, JAK inhibitor-induced acne, and 

While oral antibiotics are still a key option in acne treatment, Bunick encouraged dermatologists to consider alternative systemic therapies when appropriate. He discussed the benefits of spironolactone, particularly for adult women seeking an effective systemic option without using isotretinoin. Additionally, he highlighted the importance of integrating oral isotretinoin when indicated, often in combination with topicals for optimal results. Bunick’s discussion reinforced a patient-specific approach to antibiotic use to ensure efficacy and long-term sustainability in acne treatment.

Reynolds RV, Yeung H, Cheng CE, et al. Guidelines of care for the management of acne vulgaris. 

. 2024 May;90(5):1006.e1-1006.e30. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2023.12.017.

Christopher Bunick, MD, PhD, reviewed the evolving role of antibiotics, emphasizing antibiotic stewardship, the gut-skin connection, and the importance of narrow-spectrum antibiotics at AAD 2025.

Xindi Chen

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