Tina Bhutani, MD, MAS: Critical Takes on Psoriasis, Sleep, and Alopecia Areata

At this weekend’s Elevate-Derm Summer Conference, Tina Bhutani, MD, MAS, CEO of Synergy Dermatology and associate clinical professor at the University of California, San Francisco, shared critical insights from her presentations on managing difficult-to-treat psoriasis, the overlooked role of sleep in dermatologic care, and emerging therapies for alopecia areata.

A key focus of Bhutani’s first talk was the management of psoriasis in sensitive areas, such as the genital region.¹ Although these areas account for a small body surface area, their impact on patients' quality of life can be disproportionately high. Bhutani emphasized the need for clinicians to initiate conversations about involvement in these regions, as patients may hesitate to bring it up. She advised that periodic full-body skin exams are essential to ensure these regions are identified and treated appropriately. Often, aggressive or combination therapies may be required for effective disease control in these challenging cases.

Bhutani also highlighted the underrecognized impact of poor sleep in dermatologic conditions in her second session.² She noted that patients with inflammatory skin diseases frequently report sleep disturbances, which can impair immune function and increase the risk of systemic comorbidities, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and obesity. She urged providers to routinely screen for sleep issues and collaborate with sleep specialists as part of a more holistic approach to patient care.

Finally, Bhutani addressed the recent availability of deuruxolitinib for alopecia areata in the US, describing it as a major advance in treatment. The drug has demonstrated strong efficacy and safety, offering hope to patients with a condition that, despite being often labeled as cosmetic, can severely impact emotional and psychosocial well-being. The inflammatory nature of alopecia areata may also predispose patients to future comorbidities, reinforcing the importance of timely and comprehensive treatment.

“Even though some people might think of alopecia as just ‘hair loss,’ it has a huge impact on quality of life,” she reminded attendees.

Bhutani’s sessions at Elevate-Derm called on clinicians to think beyond the skin, considering the broader implications of dermatologic diseases and addressing the often-overlooked aspects of care.

References

1. Bhutani, T. Treating High Impact Sites in Psoriasis. Presented at: 2025 Elevate-Derm Summer Conference; July 24-28; Park City, UT.

2. Bhutani, T. The Importance of Sleep for Skin Health and Skin Disease. Presented at: 2025 Elevate-Derm Summer Conference; July 24-28; Park City, UT.