Journal Digest: July 22, 2026

Journal of Dermatological Treatment | Efficacy and safety of oral finasteride versus dutasteride in moderate-to-severe androgenetic alopecia in males based on trichoscopic and laboratory findings: a clinical comparison in Iran

A randomized, single-blind clinical trial conducted in Iran found that oral finasteride and dutasteride produced comparable improvements in men with moderate-to-severe androgenetic alopecia after 24 weeks of treatment. The study included 46 men aged 20 to 50 years who received either finasteride 1 mg daily or dutasteride 0.5 mg daily. Trichoscopic assessments, standardized photographs, and patient satisfaction scores showed significant hair growth improvements with both therapies, with no statistically significant differences between treatment groups. Dutasteride, however, produced a significantly greater reduction in prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, reflecting its stronger inhibition of 5-alpha-reductase activity. Liver function tests remained stable in both groups. Sexual adverse effects, including erectile dysfunction and decreased libido, were the most commonly reported events but were generally mild, with no serious adverse events observed. The investigators concluded that both medications remain effective and well-tolerated options for treating moderate to severe male androgenetic alopecia, although clinicians should consider dutasteride's greater effect on PSA levels when monitoring patients.¹

International Journal of Dermatology | The Dermatologic Burden of Flooding: A Systematic Review of Epidemiology, Clinical Manifestations, and Management in a Warming World

A new systematic review highlights the growing dermatologic consequences of flooding as climate change increases the frequency and severity of extreme weather events. Investigators analyzed 12 epidemiologic studies spanning more than 71 million patient encounters across nine countries to characterize flood-associated skin disease patterns. Three distinct clinical phases emerged. Immediately after flooding, water-contact injuries, chemical irritant dermatitis, and infections such as leptospirosis and Aeromonas were identified, although no consistent increase in Staphylococcus aureus skin infections was observed in high-resource settings. In the intermediate phase, elevated humidity and wind exposure were associated with increased atopic dermatitis flares (odds ratio, 1.14) and allergic rhinitis, even without direct floodwater contact. Approximately 1 week after disasters, overcrowded shelters contributed to higher rates of communicable infestations, including scabies and pediculosis. The authors recommend targeted post-flood dermatologic strategies—including mucosal infection surveillance, ectoparasite control in shelters, and proactive anti-inflammatory treatment for patients with atopic disease—rather than routine empiric antibiotic prophylaxis.²

Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology | Cardiac structure and function in psoriasis: A cross-sectional analysis of the PSOCADIA study

This large cross-sectional analysis from the PSOCADIA study found that adults with psoriasis have a significantly higher burden of subclinical myocardial dysfunction than matched controls, even when skin disease is well controlled. Investigators evaluated 1,010 adults with psoriasis and 1,010 age- and sex-matched controls using transthoracic echocardiography, including global longitudinal strain (GLS), a sensitive marker of early myocardial dysfunction. Abnormal GLS (<16%) was nearly three times more common in patients with psoriasis than controls (16.7% vs 6.0%) and remained independently associated with psoriasis after adjusting for traditional cardiovascular risk factors. Notably, myocardial dysfunction was equally prevalent in patients with mild and moderate-to-severe psoriasis, suggesting cardiovascular risk should not be assessed based solely on skin severity. Higher body mass index and diabetes were the strongest predictors of myocardial dysfunction among patients with psoriasis. The findings reinforce the importance of routine cardiovascular risk assessment and aggressive management of modifiable cardiometabolic risk factors in all patients with psoriasis, regardless of disease severity or treatment response.³

Journal of Dermatological Treatment | Efficacy and safety of a novel 532-nm picosecond Nd:YAG laser for the treatment of freckles in Chinese patients: a randomized, split-face, multicenter, noninferiority trial

A randomized, evaluator-blinded, split-face trial found that a novel 532-nm picosecond Nd:YAG laser performed as well as an established picosecond laser for the treatment of facial freckles in Chinese patients. The multicenter study included 84 adults with Fitzpatrick skin types III to IV, with each participant receiving one laser device on one side of the face and the comparator device on the other. At 8 weeks after a single treatment, both devices achieved identical response rates of 97.6% for at least 60% lesion clearance, confirming noninferiority. Cure rates (at least 90% clearance) were also similar (13.1% vs 9.5%). However, patient satisfaction favored the investigational device (72.6% vs 58.3%), despite comparable pain scores. Both systems were well tolerated, with only mild, transient adverse events such as erythema, edema, and temporary hyperpigmentation; no scarring, hypopigmentation, infections, or serious adverse events were reported. Longer treatment duration was associated with greater odds of achieving at least 90% lesion clearance. The authors concluded the new laser represents a safe, effective, and potentially more accessible option for freckle treatment, although longer-term studies are needed.⁴

Dermatologic Therapy | The Effect of a Ceramide Moisturiser Versus Olive Oil on Skin Graft and Donor Site: A Randomised, Investigator-Blinded Study

This randomized, investigator-blinded, split-site study suggests that both a ceramide-containing moisturizer and extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO) support recovery following skin grafting, with each offering distinct benefits. Thirty-three adults who had undergone full- or split-thickness skin grafting applied ceramide moisturizer to one half of the graft and donor site and EVOO to the other half twice daily for 12 weeks. Both treatments effectively improved skin hydration and were well tolerated, with only mild, transient adverse effects. EVOO provided greater improvement in transepidermal water loss (TEWL) at graft sites, while the ceramide moisturizer demonstrated superior TEWL improvement at donor sites by week 8. Importantly, the ceramide moisturizer reduced erythema earlier and consistently improved pigmentation outcomes compared with EVOO at both graft and donor sites. These findings suggest ceramide-containing moisturizers may be particularly beneficial for minimizing postinflammatory hyperpigmentation and improving cosmetic outcomes, especially in patients with darker Fitzpatrick skin types or aesthetic concerns following skin graft surgery.⁵

References

1. Poostiyan N, Nikyar Z, Makhmali R, Hosseini M, Shahmoradi Z. Efficacy and safety of oral finasteride versus dutasteride in moderate-to-severe androgenetic alopecia in males based on trichoscopic and laboratory findings: a clinical comparison in Iran. J Dermatolog Treat. 2026;37(1):2583849. doi:10.1080/09546634.2025.2583849

2. Altamirano-Jara JB, Acosta-España JD, Zambrano LI, Rodriguez-Morales AJ. The Dermatologic Burden of Flooding: A Systematic Review of Epidemiology, Clinical Manifestations, and Management in a Warming World. Int J Dermatol. Published online July 17, 2026. doi:10.1111/ijd.70562

3. Dons M, Sengeløv M, Skaarup KG, et al. Cardiac structure and function in psoriasis: A cross-sectional analysis of the PSOCADIA study. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. Published online July 17, 2026. doi:10.1111/jdv.70609

4. Zhou Y, Bao Y, Fu Y. Efficacy and safety of a novel 532-nm picosecond Nd:YAG laser for the treatment of freckles in Chinese patients: a randomized, split-face, multicenter, noninferiority trial. J Dermatolog Treat. 2026;37(1):2702775. doi:10.1080/09546634.2026.2702775

5. Diah MHM, Jamil A, Arumugam M, et al. The Effect of a Ceramide Moisturiser Versus Olive Oil on Skin Graft and Donor Site: A Randomised, Investigator-Blinded Study. Dermatologic Therapy, 2026, 6656847, 8 pages, 2026. doi:10.1155/dth/6656847