Category

Medical Dermatology

Jan 29
Love0

Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis in Patients With Skin of Color

By Medical Dermatology

psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis in skin of color

Psoriasis doesn’t look the same on every skin tone—and recognizing that matters. Dr. Mona Shahriari, associate clinical professor of dermatology at Yale University School of Medicine, encourages clinicians to broaden their psoriasis color palette to improve diagnosis and care of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis in skin of color.

In a video interview with Next Steps in Derm, Dr. Shahriari shares:

  • Key clues for diagnosing psoriasis in skin of color
  • The clinical domains of psoriatic arthritis and how early recognition can reduce diagnostic and treatment delays
  • Research insights on scalp psoriasis
  • How pigmentary sequelae impact quality of life

This is a must-watch for clinicians committed to more equitable care of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis in skin of color.

Be on the lookout for more video interviews with Skin of Color Update faculty that will be posted to the blog in the coming months.

Jan 23
Love0

Recent Dermatology Drug Approvals: SOCU in the News

By Medical Dermatology

recent dermatology drug approvals

Dermatologists have an increasing number of FDA-approved drugs at their disposal, including therapeutics for patients with skin of color. In an article by the American Journal of Managed Care, Skin of Color Update Conference Co-Chair Andrew F. Alexis, MD, FAAD, gave an update on recent drug approvals in dermatology, including atopic dermatitis (AD), hidradenitis suppurativa, and plaque psoriasis.

The article, which covered Dr. Alexis’s Skin of Color Update session on recent drug approvals, highlighted the approval of tapinarof cream 1% for AD in patients age 2 and older. In the phase 3 ADORING trials, nearly half of treated patients achieved clear or almost clear skin by week 8, with durable, treatment-free intervals observed in longer-term data. Importantly, efficacy and safety were consistent across racial and ethnic subgroups.

Other newly approved topical therapies include roflumilast foam for plaque psoriasis, delgocitinib cream as the first steroid-free topical JAK inhibitor for chronic hand eczema in adults, and ruxolitinib cream for moderate AD in young children, all demonstrating statistically significant improvements versus vehicle and good tolerability, including in diverse patient populations.

The article also covered advances in biologics. Lebrikizumab, an IL-13 inhibitor for moderate-to-severe AD, showed durable skin clearance and improvements in hyperpigmentation. Nemolizumab, targeting the IL-31 receptor, improved skin clearance in AD when combined with topical therapies. For HS, bimekizumab demonstrated sustained efficacy through 48 weeks. Additionally, dupilumab received new approvals for chronic spontaneous urticaria and bullous pemphigoid, marking major progress for conditions with historically limited treatment options.

Dr. Alexis is quoted as saying it was an “extraordinary year” in dermatology. The new therapies are already influencing clinical practice and appearing in clinical guidelines, resulting in meaningful advances for conditions that disproportionately affect patients with skin of color.

Jan 15
Love0

Insurance Coverage of Hair Loss Treatments: JDD Buzz

By Medical Dermatology

insurance coverage of hair loss treatments

Hair loss treatments are in demand in 2026, including by patients of color. Dermatologists have a robust toolbox of prescription therapies, yet with any remedy in dermatology, insurance coverage is crucial for adherence. Unfortunately, insurers often deem hair loss therapies cosmetic despite their quality of life impact. Without insurance coverage of hair loss treatments, patients must decide if they’re willing to make financial sacrifices to regrow hair and improve their self-esteem.

A recent Journal of Drugs in Dermatology editorial analyzes insurance coverage of hair loss treatments and the impact on patients, including the underserved. In a Next Steps in Derm Commentary, author Kimberly S. Salkey, MD, shares her analysis of coverage by the top five largest health insurance companies by number of insured members. Dr. Salkey brings attention to this treatment barrier and provides tips for helping patients gain access when insurance coverage is denied.

Jan 07
Love0

Alopecia Care for Head-Covering Women

By Medical Dermatology

head-covering women

For head-covering women, hair loss can have profound psychosocial, cultural, and spiritual consequences. In fact, emotional distress and fear of feeling exposed can lead these women to delay care. A poster presented at Skin of Color Update shares the experiences of head-covering women with alopecia and how dermatology should adapt to provide more respectful care.

The poster outlines how hair loss in women who wear head coverings is not simply a medical issue. Through qualitative studies, patient narratives, and dermatologic literature, the authors reveal what happens when a person’s hair loss is hidden from public view.  Head-covering women still experience grief, anxiety, and fear of stigma at the loss of hair. Barriers to care commonly include discomfort uncovering hair, lack of privacy, unease with male clinicians, and concerns about clinical photography.

The poster also outlines strategies that can improve care. These strategies include offering same-gender examiners, ensuring private exam spaces, clearly communicating each step of the visit, and respecting patient preferences around modesty and documentation. The poster authors contend that dermatology clinicians should acknowledge the religious and emotional significance of hair and adopt more culturally responsive practices. As such, dermatology clinicians can build trust and reduce delays in diagnosis, which in turn, lead to more compassionate, effective alopecia care.

For an interview with the poster’s lead author, read this Next Steps in Derm commentary.

Dec 30
Love0

HS Deroofing Done Right: ODAC Interview

By Medical Dermatology

HS deroofing

Our sister conference, the ODAC Dermatology Conference, shares this interview on hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) deroofing with Wayne State Dermatology Program Director Dr. Steven Daveluy. Watch as Dr. Daveluy encourages dermatologists to try deroofing. He says dermatologists know how to perform the procedure – they just don’t know that they know! Watch as Dr. Daveluy outlines steps for deroofing as well as which patients make the best candidates for this procedures and others to address HS.

Want to learn more about a multifaceted treatment strategy for HS? Attend Dr. Daveluy’s HS sessions at ODAC:

  • From Biologics to Oral Therapies: An Overview of Hidradenitis Suppurativa Medical Treatment
  • Getting Your Hand Around Hidradenitis Suppurativa: An Interactive Medical–Surgical Hands-On Workshop

ODAC is January 16-19 at the Omni Orlando at ChampionsGate in Orlando. Register today!

Dec 08
Love0

JDD Buzz: Trichologic Evaluations at Head Spas

By Medical Dermatology

head spas

Hair loss patients are now bringing trichoscopic images to their dermatology office visits. The images are taken at head spas, a new type of spa that is opening across the country that provides spa treatments and potentially therapeutic treatments for hair and scalp conditions. A visit may also include a consultation with a trichology professional and trichoscopic imaging. Patients are appearing in dermatologists’ offices with these images, seeking confirmation of the trichologist’s diagnosis.

In this JDD Buzz commentary, the author of a recent study on trichologic evaluations at head spas, shares if the head spa trend is helpful in caring for patients with hair and scalp disorders or whether there are serious downsides. Learn about the quality of trichoscopic images taken at head spas and how to address patients who bring these images to their office visits. Plus read the author’s hopes for the future impact of the head spa trend.

Nov 28
Love0

The National Dermatology Mentorship Match Algorithm

By Aesthetic Dermatology, Medical Dermatology

mentorship

In this Thanksgiving season, we extend gratitude for the experiences and people who shaped us and made us who we are today. For dermatologists, especially those from disadvantaged groups, gratitude may extend to the mentors who provided guidance and encouragement in matching into dermatology.

Therefore, consider paying it forward and serving as a mentor through the National Mentorship Match Algorithm. This unique program, started by dermatology resident Dr. Surya Veerabagu while she was in medical school, uses a proprietary algorithm to match medical students with dermatologists and dermatology residents based on shared experiences and interests. During a one-hour call, mentees gain advice in the dermatology residency application process. The program prioritizes groups that are disadvantaged in the dermatology match process, including underrepresented groups in medicine and medical students without a dermatology home program.

NMMA mentor and advocate Adam Friedman, MD, FAAD, dermatology residency program director at GWU School of Medicine & Health Sciences, encourages dermatology residents and early career dermatologists to volunteer as mentors:

“The broader dermatology community needs you,” Dr. Friedman says. “Independent data show that mentor and home program connections heavily influence match outcomes, especially in the context of the competition heating up even more than ever before (last year boasted the most competitive numbers, with only a 50% match rate for applicants). Formal, scalable mentorship helps level that playing field, which is exactly what NMMA is designed to do.”

For more information on the program and how to get involved, read this article on Next Steps in Derm.

Nov 12
Love0

Post-Inflammatory Hyper-and Hypopigmentation: ODAC Highlights

By Medical Dermatology

post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation

Our sister conference, the ODAC Dermatology Conference, also offers sessions that address the dermatologic treatment of patients with skin of color. At ODAC 2025, Pooja Sodha, MD, associate professor of dermatology and director of laser and cosmetic dermatology at GWU School of Medicine and Health Sciences, presented a comprehensive, case-based review of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and post-inflammatory hypopigmentation. In the session, Dr. Sodha highlighted diagnostic techniques and a stepwise, multimodal treatment approach.

Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH)

PIH results from inflammation-induced melanocyte activation, often triggered by trauma, medications, or autoimmune processes. Dr. Sodha emphasized differentiating PIH from mimickers, such as melasma and drug-induced pigmentation. Diagnosis relies on clinical history and visual examination, aided by Wood’s lamp, polarized photography, and reflectance confocal microscopy for depth assessment and histologic correlation.

Treatment strategies target both the inflammatory trigger and melanin production pathway, using:

  • Hydroquinone and mild topical steroids for short-term pigment inhibition.
  • Timolol gel to reduce early post-inflammatory erythema.
  • 2MNG with niacinamide to safely block melanosome transfer.
  • Laser modalities, such as 595-nm pulsed dye laser and 1927-nm diode laser, for vascular and epidermal pigment targets.
  • Topical antioxidants (silymarin, vitamin C, ferulic acid) and retinoids (tazarotene) to combat oxidative stress.
  • Laser-assisted drug delivery (LADD) with tranexamic acid to enhance pigment reduction.
  • Cysteamine cream as a long-term alternative to hydroquinone.
  • 1064-nm picosecond laser (Pico-toning) for dermal pigment shattering and remodeling.

Dr. Sodha underscored the vascular component of PIH, linking elevated VEGF levels to increased melanogenesis and advocating early treatment of erythema.

Post-Inflammatory Hypopigmentation (PIHpo)

PIHpo can arise after laser-induced injury, especially with excessive fluence or improper wavelength selection.

Management aims to restore melanocyte function using:

  • Topical clobetasol, transitioning to tacrolimus ointment for long-term use.
  • Bimatoprost to stimulate melanocyte migration and melanin synthesis.
  • 1550-nm erbium-doped fractional laser with LADD of bimatoprost for repigmentation.
  • Excimer laser therapy, offering up to 70% improvement, though requiring multiple sessions.

Key Takeaways

  • A deep understanding of inflammation’s impact on melanocytes is essential for both PIH and PIHpo.
  • Early intervention, combination therapy, and individualized treatment based on skin type and pigmentation depth yield the best outcomes.
  • Laser-assisted drug delivery enhances topical efficacy.
  • Patient education on treatment duration and session expectations is vital for success.

This session summary was written by Dr. Kala Hurst and published on Next Steps in Derm.

Nov 04
Love0

JDD Buzz: Dermatologic Hazards of Nail Products

By Medical Dermatology

hazards of nail products

Guiding patients in making sound decisions about the care of their skin, hair, and nails is foundational to quality dermatologic care. In recognition of National Healthy Skin Month, read this Next Steps in Derm commentary about the dermatologic hazards of nail products, both those used in the salon and at home. Emma Scott, BS, lead author of an October Journal of Drugs in Dermatology review on the topic, shares how the hazards of nail products go beyond UV light exposure and risks of a salon-acquired infection. Nail product usage can lead to allergic contact dermatitis, including dermatitis on other sites on the body due to hand transfer. In addition, using nail products can lead to nail damage and even paresthesia.

Learn what chemicals are involved in these allergic reactions and the impact of nail product usage on a person’s overall health. Find out the latest research in the risks of UV light exposure during gel manicures. (Do gel manicures increase a person’s skin cancer risk?) Plus hear the author’s take on how dermatologists should counsel their patients about the use of nail products, including practical steps patients can take to reduce their risks of adverse outcomes.

Oct 14
Love0

Patient Buzz: Eczema-Related Pigmentary Changes

By Medical Dermatology

eczema-related pigmentary changes

In recognition of Eczema Awareness Month, check out this Next Steps in Derm Patient Buzz commentary on eczema-related pigmentary changes. Rebecca Vasquez, MD, FAAD, associate professor with the UT Southwestern Medical Center Department of Dermatology, addresses the resulting hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation that can be more distressing to patients than the eczema itself.

Dr. Vasquez outlines factors that influence the development of pigmentary alterations from inflammatory skin conditions as well as how to treat. Plus she shares her tips for distinguishing pigmentary sequelae from primary pigmentary disorders.

Close Menu