Dermatology Times, November 2020 (Vol. 41, No. 11)

While Mohs micrographic surgery is well established as a safe and effective therapeutic modality in adult patients, it is not as commonly used in pediatric populations. There are unique challenges to performing Mohs surgery on pediatric patients, especially with patient cooperation. Multidisciplinary planning may be needed.

Fluorescence-advanced videodermatoscopy (FAV, Adamo Srl) for characterization of Demodex mites suggests that it can be a useful tool in the clinical evaluation and management of patients with Demodex-related skin diseases.

Investigators assessed results combining oxymetazoline and four different lasers in a recent phase 4 study. Results demonstrate improvement from baseline in Clinician Erythema Assessment (CEA) score.

Caffeine holds certain properties that may benefit the skin. As an antioxidant, it may decrease the production of reactive oxygen species and free radicals as well as damage from ultraviolet radiation. It may even play a role in promoting hair growth.

All safe and effective, the four neuromodulators with cosmetic indications have nuanced differences worth considering. Seth Matarasso, M.D., explains the benefits of these cosmetic neuromodulators, and reveals how to know when to choose the right one.

A novel robotic-controlled 1064-nm laser brings efficiency and precision to body contouring. The clinical trial supporting FDA clearance of the device showed its effectiveness based on blinded photographic assessments, ultrasound measurements and circumferential assessments.

Investigators of a recent study found a 40-gene expression profile (40-GEP) test helps improve identification of high risk for metastatic disease in patients with cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC).

Researchers conducted a critical appraisal of a systematic review of six different smartphone apps and found little evidence that they are effective in self-monitoring or skin cancer detection, according to a recent study.

A variety of new vehicles designed to improve tolerability and cosmetic acceptability are providing rosacea patients with multiple viable treatment options.

David J. Goldberg, M.D., J.D., explains how a terminated employee can violate HIPAA if they access medical records of other associates at their former place of work, even if they find out one of those associates had COVID-19 and did not disclose it to the office.

Quality of life could play role in assessing acne patient care. According to recent study’s results, researchers saw a four-to-five-fold QOL improvement versus baseline over a full treatment course of isotretinoin.

The topical cream is the first acne drug with a new mechanism of action to win FDA approval in the last 40 years.

Zoe Diana Draelos, M.D., outlines some challenges encountered while cleansing the skin, and answers questions about hand washing hygiene and microbiome cleansing products.

Joel Schlessinger, M.D., and Adam Friedman, M.D., detail how they have adapted to teledermatology since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

A majority of psoriasis patients in phase 3 clinical trials for biologics are white, says authors of a recent study. As ethnicity and race may play a role in response to biologics, researchers emphasize need for more diversity in clinical trials.

Dupilumab and JAK inhibitors are leading the way in atopic dermatitis treatment, but there are numerous clinical trials of both new biologics and new small molecule drugs, and future treatment regimens likely will utilize both.

A phase 3b study investigating the efficacy and safety of risankizumab compared to secukinumab showed positive results, with risankizumab demonstrating noninferiority to secukinumab at week 16, and superiority at week 52.

There is a dire need to improve the clinical tools dermatologists use to assess the severity of acne scars. This 3D imaging technique may help, according to a recent study presented at the 2020 virtual American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS) meeting.

ZILXI (FMX103, VYNE Therapeutics), a 1.5% topical minocycline foam, is now available for prescription for the treatment of inflammatory lesions of rosacea in adult patients.

Allergan Aesthetics and Skinbetter Science announce the launch of The DREAM Initiative, aimed at improving racial diversity and equity in the aesthetics field.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted the New Drug Application (NDA) filing for Sol-Gel’s Epsolay, a 5% microencapsulated benzoyl peroxide cream for the treatment of inflammatory lesions of rosacea or papulopustular rosacea.

In clinical trials, most patients treated with tralokinumab maintained 75% reductions in EASI scores for one year.