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Key concerns regarding infectious diseases with cutaneous manifestations include the expanding reach of infections formerly thought rare and exotic, experts say. Meanwhile, they add, some infections rarely seen stateside in recent years are resurging.

Cosmetic concerns are important to many of our patients. Among the difficulties faced by consumers is the blitz of advertising of new and presumably revolutionary products that can rejuvenate and preserve the youthful appearance of the skin. Many products make what sound like medical claims about the efficacy of these agents. Norman Levine, M.D., asked Zoe Draelos, M.D., the foremost authority on this subject, to discuss these issues with us.

Are you interested in learning how to promote your dermatology practice on Twitter? Compared to other social networks, Twitter is one of the simplest and most straightforward platforms you could ever use.

Kent Remington, M.D., guides patients through his method for conducting a successful aesthetic consult, he told attendees at the MauiDerm 2014 meeting. Knowing a patient’s “real” reasons for aesthetic improvement - and shifting from a monotherapy toward performing a full-face rejuvenation following a multitherapeutic approach - are essential in achieving excellent aesthetic outcomes, he told attendees at the MauiDerm 2014 meeting.

The purpose of aesthetics

We’re learning more about the aging process and how it occurs at different levels: from the surface of the skin, all the way down to the bony structure. Our purpose in aesthetics is to understand this process and to work with it to highlight the natural beauty of an individual, Ava Shamban, M.D., told attendees at the MauiDerm 2014 meeting.

Beware of fake toxins

Michael Gold, M.D., at the MauiDerm 2014 conference shared his insight into the world of fake botulinum toxins. There is a huge counterfeit market, and it behooves dermatologists to be aware, because the products are easily acquired over the Internet or purchased overseas and carried into the United States.

Neuromodulators not equal

Joel Cohen, M.D., explained to attendees at MauiDerm 2014 the differences among the three approved botulinum toxin products and how to use them successfully to take advantage of their unique properties. He recommended that doctors really think about these products as unique and begin to use them for their individual properties.

New drugs, data and guidelines on acne and rosacea treatment were among the takeaways from days two and three of MauiDerm 2014. Presenters also described evidence-based suggestions for managing pigmentary disorders and updated information on infectious diseases.

A multispectral digital skin lesion analysis device may be useful in helping clinicians to classify clinically ambiguous lesions, detect early melanomas in young adults, and identify outlier lesions that should be biopsied, according to a collection of posters presented at MauiDerm 2014.

Know your nutraceuticals

Nutraceuticals and the claims that these products make have become increasingly popular on a global basis, according to an expert who spoke at MauiDerm 2014.

In an effort to learn more about patients’ experiences with advanced basal cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma nevus syndrome, researchers have developed two new questionnaires to evaluate and assess the effects of the diseases.

The Food and Drug Administration has approved GlaxoSmithKline’s Mekinist (trametinib) for use in combination with Tafinlar (dabrafenib) as a possible treatment for patients suffering from inoperable melanoma and certain types of metastatic melanoma.

The landscape of dermatology is rapidly changing and every practicing dermatolo-gist will almost certainly be affected. Dermatology Times asked Dirk Elston, M.D., president of the American Academy of Dermatology, to address some of these issues so that we may all have a better idea of what lies ahead for our specialty.

The American Academy of Dermatology has joined the Choosing Wisely campaign, recently releasing its list of five specific tests or procedures that are commonly performed but are not always necessary and might even cause harm.

Over the decades, many highly useful treatment modalities have been developed which have greatly improved the lives of our patients. However, many additional therapies with questionable usefulness have also become part of our treatment armamentarium.