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The full-body skin exam is the perfect opportunity to talk with patients about all their skin concerns, including cosmetic. One expert explains how dermatologists can turn medical and Medicare patients into cosmetic patients.

A review of the literature, including published guidelines, and site visits to radiation oncology suites was undertaken to provide clinicians with background on indications, outcomes and practical considerations for selecting radiation therapy for the treatment of nonmelanoma skin cancers.

Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder is lymphocyte proliferation in patients following post-transplant immunosuppression and is the most common neoplasm in pediatric organ transplant recipients. Due to the increased frequency of organ transplantation, dermatologists should be aware of the cutaneous presentation, as a timely diagnosis and treatment is crucial for a favorable prognosis.

Organ transplant recipients (OTRs) have an increased risk of carcinogenesis most likely due to the immunosuppressive medication they need to take. Sebaceous carcinoma is a rare occurrence, however, as witnessed in two recent case studies, this highly aggressive malignant tumor can occur in immunosuppressed OTRs, making the thorough screening programs a high priority in these patients.

Carboxitherapy involves the administration of gaseous carbon dioxide to penetrate the skin and reach subcutaneous tissues, thereby, reducing localized deposits of fat. It can be used as an adjunct to proceduressuch as liposuction.

Autologous fat harvested from sites of the body can be injected into the buttocks to reshape them. Clinicians can use epidural anesthesia to make the procedure relatively painless. Forceful massage is necessary to distribute the fat and to optimize vascularization through increased contact with the muscles in the buttocks.

Information that quantifies our understanding of how PDT works is crucial to optimizing treatment and advancing the field, an expert says.

To prevent filler complications and treat them most effectively when they occur, an expert recommends thoroughly understanding facial anatomy.

What are ectoines? Nutricosmetics and how do mascaras increase eyelash curl?

Melasma is an acquired condition characterized by hyperpigmented patches, traditionally located on the face. What the classic definition fails to mention is its chronic relapsing nature and its associated therapeutic dilemma.

Dermatologists have been trained to squeeze topical antibiotics on the simplest of cuts and excisions. Because of allergic reactions and considering the efficacy of an alternative - plain petroleum jelly - dermatologists must revamp their thinking.

Results of a recent study suggest that while upper airway infections, such as rhinosinusitis and adenotonsillitis, may exacerbate atopic dermatitis in children, surgical treatment for those infections may improve the severity of AD.

Sensitivity to nickel has been increasing over the past two decades. Contact dermatitis occurs with exposure to nickel, which is found in common items such as zippers, cell phones and shoelaces. Individuals with nickel sensitivity should avoid repeat exposure, as the response increases each time. A movement is under way to request a reduction in the allowable amount of nickel that manufacturers use in products in the United States.

One expert says dermatologists need no longer use drugs with significant side effects when treating atopic dermatitis - he has invented a new technology to repair the skin barrier.

Ingenol mebutate is a novel approach for the treatment of actinic keratoses. This new topical approach successfully treats AKs in only two or three days, - a much shorter therapeutic regimen compared to the current readily used topical approaches, such as solaraze, 5-FU and imiquimod, and, therefore, also increases patient compliance.

Novel approach to atopic dermatitis therapy aims to repair the skin barrier by replenishing deficient lipids in individuals with atopic dermatitis and restoring the skin barrier to the physiologic status quo.

A new study supports the use of intramatrix injections of triamcinolone acetonide - particularly at doses of 10 mg/ml - for treating nail psoriasis, a study co-author says.

A novel peel is proving to be very effective in the treatment of comedonic as well as mild-to-moderate acne lesions. This approach could spare acne patients from repeated antibiotic therapies for considerably benign cosmetic lesions.

Meningococcal infection is a common cause of purpura fulminans, followed by anticoagulant use, malignancy and connective tissue disease. After ruling out these etiologies, suspect autoimmune diseases and/or the medications used to treat these diseases as a possible cause of purpura fulminans secondary to antiphospholipid syndrome, an expert says.

San Francisco - The Women's Dermatologic Society (WDS), now the third largest organized association of dermatologists in the United States, reached a milestone in 2008, awarding the highest number of grants since its founding in 1973, the society reports.

National report - The American Society of Cosmetic Dermatology and Aesthetic Surgery (ASCDAS) and the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS) will host a combined meeting Oct. 1-4, 2009, in Phoenix, the organizations announced in December.

Cleveland - Plastic surgeons are welcoming the news of the world's first near-total face transplant - and the first such operation in the United States - performed in late 2008 at the Cleveland Clinic.

The final quarter of 2008 offered some unexpected and severe challenges to the United States - a collapse on Wall Street, rising unemployment, threatened bankruptcy of at least two of the big three automakers, rising healthcare coverage issues and rising levels of violence in the Mideast. At the same time, the United States elected its first black president and a highly Democratic–weighted Congress. 2009 is likely to be a year of change and readjustment.

As the Obama administration and the 111th Congress move forward on healthcare reform, there is increasing sentiment for greater support for primary care physicians, including boosting their Medicare payments. Unfortunately for dermatologists, they and other specialists could be asked to ante up.

On Oct. 15, 2008, the Society for Investigative Dermatology (SID) sponsored a comorbidities conference in Bethesda, Md. This event was the first of what is projected to be a multi-year series of meetings that aim to explore our knowledge base of comorbid states that exist in association with skin disease.

Dr. Pigment has a very large and very busy practice. He often sees up to 100 patients every day. He is known as an expert in the evaluation and treatment of pigmented lesions.

Soeborg, Denmark - The financial failure of Artes Medical, maker of the permanent facial filler ArteFill (polymethylmethacrylate, purified bovine collagen) hasn't totally dampened the market for such products.

National report - Dermatology has lost an icon.

National report - The bankruptcy of Artes Medical, maker of the permanent facial filler ArteFill, will make it harder for permanent fillers to enter the U.S. market in the future, analysts say - although one such product, Contura's Aquamid, will likely seek Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval in 2009.

National report - Pfizer and Wyeth announced a $68 billion megamerger, which will slash their combined 128,000 work force by 19,000 jobs, according to the New York Times.