Acne

Superficial chemical peels have a relatively low complication rate in patients with darker skin types when performed appropriately, a study finds.

Years ago antibiotics were used to treat acne because it was thought that the condition was an infectious disease, says Dr. Hilary Baldwin of the Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.

Review highlights the need to accurately diagnose this common bacterial infection.

Publishing new research findings certainly has its benefits, but how physicians use that information and their personal experience in clinical practice can prove to be more insightful. In this article, we feature three physicians who participated in the rapid-fire Q&A “60 Tips in 60 Minutes” from the Winter Clinical Dermatology Conference held in January in Hawaii.

Publishing new research findings has its benefits, but how physicians use that information and their personal experience in clinical practice can prove to be more insightful. In this table on page 98 of Dermatology Times June issue, we feature insights from three physicians who participated in the rapid-fire Q&A “60 Tips in 60 Minutes” from this year's Winter Clinical Dermatology Conference.

Acne may primarily be a genetic condition, but one that is compounded by environmental and social influences, shows a twins study published in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology (JDD). This study is among a select group of studies featured in this month's acne supplement.

A recent acne study in identical and fraternal twins indicates the condition may be primarily caused by genetics, and that social and environmental factors influence acne symptom severity.

A recent small study finds that microneedling can improve acne scarring and the associated hyperpigmentation in patients with skin of color.

As both severe acne and transgenderism are independently associated with higher rates of depression and suicide, it may be advisable that transgender adolescents are monitored for acne once testosterone treatment has begun. Given the potential risks - some 41% of transgender adults have at some point attempted suicide - acne should be treated even if only mild, says Dr. Lucía Campos-Munoz.

Researchers writing in JAMA Dermatology say that the evidence for light therapies as effective acne treatments remains weak and inconclusive, but one may be worth noting.

Doctors writing in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology find blunt cannula subcision (BCS) more effective than Nokor needle subcision (NNS) for acne scarring.

Treating acne in pregnancy requires familiarity with FDA medication categories and having thorough discussions with patients.

Review provides solid, reaffirming scientific data in support of using the medication for acne.

Dermatologists should discuss cost and insurance coverage concerns with patients to boost adherence to acne medication, researchers report in JAMA Dermatology.

Poor quality trials make assessing effects of non-pharmacological treatments in acne difficult, but based on the evidence, glycolic acid, amino fruit acid, intense pulsed light and diode laser are the most promising.

Between 2004 and 2013, the number of spironolactone courses per 100 females with acne rose from 2.08 to 8.13 among dermatologists and from 1.43 to 4.09 among nondermatologists, researchers report.

The transgender dermatology patient may face a unique set of challenges doctors should be prepared to address, says Dr. Brian Ginsberg.

Female patients with hormonal acne that typically flares before or after menstrual cycles may be ideal candidates for spironolactone, said Emmy M. Graber, M.D., president of the Dermatology Institute of Boston who spoke at AAD 2018 in San Diego this week.

Review shows that research on lasers and other light therapies for acne fails to offer robust evidence on efficacy, say researchers writing in the British Journal of Dermatology.

The presence of adult acne, especially among women, is increasing, shows an Italian study that points to job stress for exasperating the condition in adults who are harder hit by the psychological, social and emotional effects of the condition as compared to teens.

Ortho Dermatologics has announced that RETIN-A MICRO® (tretinoin) gel microsphere 0.06% is now available commercially to healthcare professionals.

Despite recommendations to limit the use of oral antibiotics, dermatologists continue to prescribe them in high numbers, according to results of a large, retrospective analysis of U.S. prescribing trends from 2004 to 2013.

Dermatologist evaluations of patient acne photos submitted via smartphone compare favorably to in-person evaluations, a JAMA Dermatology study shows.

The cost of doxycycline hyclate prescriptions increased 1,854% between 2011 and 2013 in a retrospective analysis of commercial claims data, and there was no association between market concentration and price of the oral antibiotic. Clinician or pharmacy level interventions to choose less costly oral tetracycline-class antibiotics could result in substantial cost savings.

Pooled meta-analysis does not support association between isotretinoin treatment for acne and worsening of depression.

The lack of serious laboratory abnormalities in patients on isotretinoin suggests that reduced monitoring may suffice.

Lasers and photodynamic therapy are practical treatment options for acne patients who fail or aren’t compliant with traditional first-line therapies. Today’s energy devices might also enhance acne treatment as adjuvant therapy, a review shows.

Dermatologists and others are increasingly using lasers and light-based therapies to treat acne, but the literature proving efficacy among these therapies is limited by few high-powered trials and lots of small, low-quality studies.