Top Advancements From 2025 on AD, HS, PsO, CSU, and More

“In atopic dermatitis, we have several different, new molecules, and some of these may need to be used in combination,” said James Del Rosso, DO, at the 2025 Fall Clinical Dermatology Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada.¹

Del Rosso, dermatologist, Mohs micrographic surgeon, Editor‑in‑Chief of the Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, and Research Director at JDR Dermatology Research in Las Vegas, was joined by April Armstrong, MD, MPH; Mark Nestor, MD, PhD; Mark Lebwohl, MD; Linda Stein Gold, MD; and Darrell Rigel, MD, MS, to present “What Did 2025 Bring to the Table in Dermatology.” Del Rosso’s presentation covered new updates in atopic dermatitis (AD) and hidradenitis suppurativa (HS).

In AD, Del Rosso highlighted an increased awareness of multiple mechanisms of disease, supported by intention based on science and increased research into the microbiome and AD. There has also been an increased emphasis on comorbid conditions associated with AD, a focus on early intervention, and the impact of advanced systemic therapies. Regarding systemic therapies, Del Rosso reiterated the common discussion of biologics vs JAK inhibitors.

Del Rosso pointed out that children are often left out of clinical data, however, there is a steady increase in pediatric research. For pediatric patients with AD, Del Rossi discussed the importance of more research on optimized skin care, redefining the optimal use of topical therapies, and clinicians becoming more comfortable with prescribing topical and systemic therapies in younger age groups.

In HS, Del Rosso commended the marked increase in disease state awareness, sparked by new breakthroughs in pathophysiology and treatments, more education, and an enhanced motivation to provide comprehensive treatment. He also cited improvements in study design and data collection, along with improved validated efficacy parameters that capture patient-reported outcomes. Major therapeutic advances include biologics, weight management therapies, and combination approaches.

April Armstrong, MD, MPH, dermatologist, professor, and chief of dermatology at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) and co-director for network resources at the UCLA Clinical and Translational Research Institute, discussed updates in psoriasis in 2025, first citing FDA approvals of roflumilast foam 0.3% for scalp and body psoriasis and recently approved guselkumab for pediatric psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.

Next, Armstrong reviewed the National Psoriasis Foundation’s new Delphi consensus statement of on-treatment remission in psoriasis, which includes a maintenance of BSA 0% or an IGA score of 0 for 6 months or more.²

“This is important because as we have more and more efficacious psoriasis therapies, that is something I hope that we all will strive for, for our patients,” Armstrong said.

She also reviewed evolving oral therapies, which include apremilast 75 mg extended-release tablets, deucravacitinib 5-year data, and upcoming TYK2 inhibitors of envudeucitinib (formerly ESK-001) and zasocitinib.

Mark Lebwohl, MD, dermatologist, Dean for Clinical Therapeutics at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, and professor and Chairman Emeritus of the Kimberly and Eric J. Waldman Department of Dermatology at Mount Sinai in New York, discussed GLP-1 therapies, bullous pemphigoid, chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU), and off-label use of JAKs.

In GLP-1s, he noted how they improve symptoms outside of dermatologic, including reduced diabetes, cholesterol, cancer, kidney disease, and stroke risks. With bullous pemphigoid, Lebwohl reminded attendees that dupilumab is effective for patients with severe disease. For CSU, he highlighted omalizumab, dupilumab, and recently approved remibrutinib. Lastly, Lebwohl reminded attendees that JAK inhibitors can be used off-label in lichen planus, HS, cutaneous lupus, granuloma annulare, cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, and localized scleroderma.

“JAK inhibitors have really changed the way we practice,” Lebwohl said.

Mark Nestor, MD, PhD, dermatologist, director of the Center for Clinical and Cosmetic Research and the Center for Cosmetic Enhancement in Aventura, Florida, and voluntary professor in the Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery and the Department of Surgery, Division of Plastic Surgery at the University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, reviewed trends in aesthetics and regeneration medicine, citing the expansion of available injectables and devices, and the push of regenerative medicine for well-being.

He noted that hyaluronic acid filler use has decreased in the past year, mostly related to social media trends, over-filling, and the desire for natural appearances. Toxins are still the number one aesthetic procedure in 2025, however, they can also be employed in sweating, TMJ, and depression.

“Depression, this is becoming one of the number one treatments. Treat the glabellar, patients don't get depressed, but they become happier. We can actually treat for happiness. That is amazing,” Nestor said.

Linda Stein Gold, MD, dermatologist and director of dermatology clinical research at Henry Ford Health System in Detroit, Michigan, addressed the previously hot topic of benzene in benzoyl peroxide (BPO)-containing acne products, citing that, based on a recent FDA response, clinicians can safely prescribe BPO products. The FDA tested 95 acne products with BP and concluded that more than 90% of the tested products have undetectable or low levels of benzene.³

“I'm fairly confident, as a medical dermatologist, that I can continue prescribing benzoyl peroxide,” Stein Gold said.

Darell Rigel, MD, MS, dermatologist and clinical professor of dermatology at the Mount Sinai Icahn School of Medicine in New York, wrapped up the session with updates in non-melanoma skin cancers, beginning with a survey of patients and their knowledge of sun damage and skin cancer.

“Four out of 5 agree that they have a good knowledge of sun dangers, and 4 out of 5 agree that they have a greater chance of getting skin cancer if they get sunburned. However, in the same group, two-thirds said that sun exposure is good for you, and half the people think they should get a base tan,” Rigel said.

He attributed this confusion to the rise of misinformation spread by “beauty bloggers” on social media, and challenged dermatology clinicians to help prevent the spread of misinformation on social media.

Rigel also reviewed nicotinamide for skin cancer chemoprevention and prophylaxis. Rigel noted that there is a decreased risk of skin cancer among patients treated with nicotinamide, with the greatest effect seen when started after the first skin cancer. The greatest risk reduction with seen in patients with cSCC.

Reference

1. Del Rosso J, Armstrong A, Nestor M, Lebwohl M, Stein Gold L, Rigel D. What did 2025 bring to the table in dermatology. Presented at: 2025 Fall Clinical Dermatology Conference; October 23-26, 2025; Las Vegas, NV.
2. Armstrong AW, Gondo GC, Merola JF, et al. Defining on-treatment remission in plaque psoriasis: a consensus statement from the National Psoriasis Foundation. JAMA Dermatol. 2025 Aug 1;161(8):863-869. doi: 10.1001/jamadermatol.2025.1625
3. Limited number of voluntary recalls initiated after FDA testing of acne products for benzene; findings show a small number of products with elevated levels of benzene contamination. News Release. US FDA. Published March 11, 2025. Accessed October 26, 2025. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-safety-and-availability/limited-number-voluntary-recalls-initiated-after-fda-testing-acne-products-benzene-findings-show