Journal Digest: May 27, 2026

Dermatologic Therapy | The Use of Methylsulfonylmethane-Containing Products in Dermatology: An Evidence-Based Systematic Review of Safety and Efficacy

A systematic review evaluated the safety and efficacy of methylsulfonylmethane (MSM)-containing products in dermatology, focusing on their role in skin health, inflammation, wound healing, and aesthetic outcomes. MSM, an organosulfur compound with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, has been incorporated into topical and oral formulations for conditions including rosacea, photoaging, wound repair, and skin irritation. Across the reviewed studies, MSM-containing products were generally well tolerated and associated with improvements in skin texture, erythema, hydration, and recovery after cosmetic procedures. Some evidence also suggested benefits in reducing oxidative stress and supporting collagen formation. However, the review noted that many available studies were small, heterogeneous, or industry-sponsored, limiting the strength of conclusions. Investigators emphasized the need for larger, well-designed randomized controlled trials to better define efficacy and optimal formulations. These findings highlight MSM as a potentially useful adjunct ingredient in cosmetic and supportive skin care, while reinforcing the importance of counseling patients on the still-limited evidence base.¹

Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine | Dynamic Color Doppler Ultrasound Features of Cutaneous Mastocytoma at High and Ultra-High Frequency

This study evaluating high- and ultra-high-frequency color Doppler ultrasound in cutaneous mastocytoma identified characteristic imaging changes that may help support diagnosis in clinical practice. Investigators reviewed 12 clinically confirmed cases and assessed lesions before and after a dynamic friction maneuver using a tongue depressor. Clinically, lesions appeared as solitary red, brown, pink, or yellowish macules, papules, nodules, or plaques. On baseline B-mode ultrasound, most lesions demonstrated mild hypoechoic dermal thickening, primarily in the superficial dermis, with little or no vascularity on Doppler imaging. Following friction, ultrasound revealed increased hypoechoic dermal thickening and increased dermal vascularity, reflecting mast cell activation and a localized inflammatory response. These dynamic imaging findings may provide an objective correlate to Darier sign and improve diagnostic confidence in equivocal cases. The study highlights the growing utility of high-frequency ultrasound as a noninvasive adjunct tool for evaluating pediatric and adult cutaneous mastocytoma lesions.²

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology | Artificial Intelligence-Augmented Morphometric Reporting for Standardized Facial Aesthetic Treatment Planning: A Multi-Rater Reliability Study

A new study suggests that artificial intelligence (AI)-augmented morphometric reporting may help standardize facial aesthetic treatment planning and reduce variability among clinicians. Investigators evaluated 6 dermatologists—3 experienced injectors and 3 residents—who created simulated neurotoxin and filler treatment plans for 76 standardized facial images. In the baseline phase, clinicians relied on visual assessment alone. In the second phase, they were provided with AI-generated morphometric reports detailing objective facial asymmetries and proportional differences. The addition of AI support significantly improved inter-rater agreement, with the overall intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) increasing from 0.62 to 0.88. The greatest improvement was seen among residents, whose ICC increased from 0.46 to 0.84, suggesting AI tools may help narrow experience-related variability. More than half of the faces demonstrated measurable asymmetry, particularly in brow position and lower-face alignment. Investigators emphasized that AI functioned as a decision-support tool rather than a replacement for clinician judgment. These findings highlight the potential role of AI-assisted assessment tools in improving consistency, treatment planning confidence, and educational support in aesthetic practice.³

Clinical, Cosmetic, and Investigational Dermatology | A Global Study of Skin and Subcutaneous Diseases Among Individuals Under 20 Years of Age

In this global analysis of data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 study, it was found that the burden of skin and subcutaneous diseases among individuals younger than 20 years continues to rise worldwide, increasing from 653,365 to 860,807 disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) between 1990 and 2021. Acne vulgaris and atopic dermatitis (AD) were the leading contributors to disability, with AD driving disease burden in younger children and acne predominating in adolescents. Children aged 5 to 9 years consistently had the lowest burden, while those younger than 5 years and adolescents aged 15 to 19 years experienced the highest DALYs. Investigators also identified regional differences, with forecasting models predicting declines in dermatitis burden in China and Europe but continued increases in the US. Lower socioeconomic regions carried disproportionately higher burdens of infectious skin diseases, including bacterial and fungal infections. Mortality associated with bacterial skin diseases and cellulitis was highest among children younger than 5 years. The authors noted that these findings highlight the need for age-specific and region-specific public health strategies, particularly early intervention for pediatric AD and adolescent acne, to reduce long-term psychosocial and quality-of-life impacts.⁴

Dermatologic Therapy | Multiple Lentigines on Resolving Psoriatic Plaques: A Prospective Observational Study and Review of the Literature

This prospective observational study from the University of Padua evaluated the prevalence of lentiginosis developing within resolved psoriatic plaques after psoriasis treatment. Among 1,853 adults with psoriasis, investigators identified 10 cases, yielding a prevalence of 0.54%. Most patients were men, with a mean age of 56 years and long-standing psoriasis. Lentigines appeared only in areas of completely cleared plaques and were observed after a range of therapies, including topical calcipotriol/betamethasone, phototherapy, methotrexate, dimethyl fumarate, and biologics such as ustekinumab, risankizumab, and guselkumab. No association with a specific treatment class was identified. The authors suggest the phenomenon is likely related to inflammatory and pigmentary changes occurring as psoriasis resolves, rather than direct drug toxicity. Histopathology supported melanocytic activation without evidence of malignant transformation. Although uncommon and apparently benign, clinicians should recognize this presentation to avoid unnecessary concern or intervention. The authors note that increasing use of highly effective biologics may make these pigmentary changes more frequently observed in practice.⁵

References

1. Abdul-Rahman NH, Joerg L, Wang JD, Choudhary S. The Use of Methylsulfonylmethane-Containing Products in Dermatology: An Evidence-Based Systematic Review of Safety and Efficacy. Dermatologic Therapy. 2026(1), 8870221. https://doi.org/10.1155/dth/8870221

2. Sechi A, Tagliati C, Marzano AV, Dini V, Oranges T, Wortsman X. Dynamic Color Doppler Ultrasound Features of Cutaneous Mastocytoma at High and Ultra-High Frequency. J Ultrasound Med. Published online May 22, 2026. doi:10.1002/jum.70309

3. Karakoyun Ö, Kaya K, Kankılıç AT, Ecer N. Artificial Intelligence-Augmented Morphometric Reporting for Standardized Facial Aesthetic Treatment Planning: A Multi-Rater Reliability Study. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2026;25(5):e70900. doi:10.1111/jocd.70900

4. He X, Feng N, Chang J, et al. A Global Study of Skin and Subcutaneous Diseases Among Individuals Under 20 Years of Age. Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology. 19. https://doi.org/10.2147/CCID.S601691

5. Sartor E, Pampaloni F, Tartaglia J, et al. Multiple Lentigines on Resolving Psoriatic Plaques: A Prospective Observational Study and Review of the Literature. Dermatologic Therapy, 2026(1), 2317116. https://doi.org/10.1155/dth/2317116