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The Food and Drug Administration has approved Onexton Gel (clindamycin phosphate and benzoyl peroxide 1.2 percent/3.75 percent, Valeant Pharmaceuticals) for the once-daily treatment of comedonal and inflammatory acne in patients 12 and older.

Aluminum pharmaceutical tubes are often coated internally with bisphenol A diglycidyl ether (BADGE)-based epoxy resins - and according to a new study from Germany, this may present a problem for people who manufacture or work with these tubes.

TAK-33 inhibited and regressed tumor growth in melanoma cell lines and patient-derived xenograft models. This “robust” success in the lab, according to a study published in Nov. 5, 2014 in Molecular Cancer Therapeutics, justifies continued clinical development as a potential therapy for melanoma patients.

Dermatology Times editorial advisor, Elaine Siegfried, M.D., talks with Carrie Kovarik, M.D., associate professor, department of dermatology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, about her path into teledermatology, best practices, and the future of telemedicine.

What, if anything, can dermatologists and other aesthetic practitioners do to use home aesthetic devices to their advantage? Physician experts offer their perspective.

Head space analysis

Why are so many fruit and floral type scent combinations popular, such as kiwi/vanilla or rose/melon or peppermint/lemon?

A new government study suggests costs related to nonmelanoma skin cancer and melanoma treatment have skyrocketed relative to other cancers, increasing by 126 percent to more than $8 billion.

Several weeks ago an editorial appeared in our local newspaper. The basic premise of this editorial is that we doctors aren’t doing enough “to control healthcare costs.” This is in spite of the availability of an $840 million grant program under the ACA “to teach Medicare and Medicaid doctors new ways to offer higher-quality, better-coordinated, more cost-effective care.” From my experience as a practicing dermatologist in both academics and private practice, I have always felt that the specialty of dermatology was extremely cost effective while delivering high quality care to our patients. Providing high quality healthcare at a reasonable cost is not only incredibly difficult but also extremely complex.

Although every scar tells a story, it is a tale better spoken by the dermatologist and plastic surgeon who can help to reduce its appearance. To do so, physicians today are using improved protocols in laser treatment and beyond.

Scientific findings indicate that people need to do more to protect their skin from the sun and must now also begin thinking about the damaging effects of exposure to pollution. Topical applications of antioxidants and DNA repair enzymes have potential to be helpful tools, according to an expert who spoke at the 2014 Annual Meeting of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery.

All medical practices need to realize they are vulnerable to information security breaches. Mobile devices that house sensitive patient information can easily be lost or stolen, and practices should take steps to reduce risks by performing a risk assessment and identifying potential “leaks.”

So you have surrounded yourself with a solid team. How do you continue to coax the best of your employees’ attributes and enrich their growth as staff members? Some fellow dermatologists weigh in.