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The antipsychotic drug ziprasidone is associated with rare but potentially fatal skin reactions, the FDA announced December 11, 2014.

Text messages improve compliant use of prescription medications, according to new research from Queen Mary University of London. More than just a reminder, the texts provided the link to identify patients who needed help, the author notes.

The recently announced acquisition of Allergan Inc. by Actavis means the Irvine, Calif.-based maker of Botox will no longer be the target of a hostile takeover by Canadian firm Valeant Pharmaceuticals-which in turn means Allergan’s research-and-development programs will continue unabated.

New topical and systemic medications are being developed specifically for atopic dermatitis (AD). New guidelines of care for the management of AD are being issued by the American Academy of Dermatology, and ongoing research in other areas may change the approach to AD management in the future. Meanwhile, strategies are needed to combat steroid phobia.

The presence of biofilm in wounds makes wound care increasingly complex, and dressings need to be designed to penetrate through biofilm.

In an experimental model, the investigational NDV-3 vaccine appears to mobilize the immune system to fight methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) skin infections, a recent study indicates.

Carrie Kovarik, M.D., associate professor in the department of dermatology at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, talks about the nuances of making teledermatology work, what the future may hold, and how to get involved if you’re interested.

Carrie Kovarik, M.D., associate professor in the department of dermatology at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, talks about her path into teldermatology and best practices she has learned from her research and involvement in telemedicine.

Melanoma is a genetically heterogeneous condition that will likely result in more diversified clinical management in the future.

Therapeutic delivery is an important research focus. Better drug delivery has the potential to enhance skin penetration, make drugs more tolerable, and increase compliance.

Getting patients to use their prescriptions is another story-one that's shockingly understudied in dermatology. Just what works to improve medication adherence has stumped researchers outside dermatology. Several studies are cited.

This is a challenging time for researchers-especially younger, less established investigators, one expert says. He offers several tips to fellow junior investigators.

Reducing medical errors requires taking a structured approach that includes teamwork, communication and tools to help eliminate bias and oversights, experts say.

Adam DeGraide, CEO of Crystal Clearl Digital Marketing, interviews Reza Sadrian, M.D., of Sadrian Plastic Surgery in San Diego, Calif., who discusses the power of a patient's story as a marketing tool and how his practice is sharing these stories online in a very effective and practical way.

Directing a medspa might seem like an easy way to make money. After all, it’s a no-brainer for many dermatologists and cosmetic surgeons who perform cosmetic procedures day in and day out. But that’s not reality, experts say. Here’s what they say you need to know before signing on.

Dermatologists and cosmetic surgeons who direct medical spas assume responsibility for all procedures performed. While it can be a financially rewarding career move, many physician and nonphysician medspa owners may be operating these facilities illegally and not know it.

Heidi Waldorf, M.D., provided her formula for great filler results. One key to avoiding upset patients is rejecting unsuitable ones, she noted. She also pointed to patient behaviors that should raise red flags.

Occasional irate patients are a fact of life of modern medical practice. We must all attempt to satisfy our patient’s needs as much as possible. Sometimes it simply does not work out. When called upon to defend your actions, do so in a professional manner. It will almost always conclude in your favor.

Fluoride is found in many toothpastes designed to prevent tooth decay. As a matter of fact, the fluorination of water and toothpastes is felt to be the major factoring contributing the increasing number of adults retaining their own teeth into maturity.

A topical neuromodulator in development appears to last longer than currently available products when the topical formulation is injected intramuscularly, an expert says.

Intense pulsed light (IPL) may facilitate more efficient photodynamic therapy (PDT) than blue-light PDT, according to expert at Cosmetic Surgery Forum.

At Cosmetic Surgery Forum, injectors' opinions often differed regarding the use of various fillers, perhaps most notably, Belotero balance (hyaluronic acid/HA, Merz). Several experts shared their tips for maximizing results.

With the approach of a new year, it is an ideal time to review the old handbook or finally create one if it does not yet exist. The employee handbook should be reviewed annually and updated for changes in employment law and growth of the practice. Extra credit goes to practices that review the employee handbook with staff annually and emphasize regularly at staff meetings the best practices put forth in the handbook.

Dr. Skin has become increasingly concerned about the number of school shootings in the United States. He has established an office policy that has his staff asking patients if they own a gun. If they do, they are not allowed to bring the weapon to the office. He has recently been sued by a patient for simply asking the question “Do you own a gun?”.

If you want to increase practice profitability and haven’t mastered patient collections, consider how you might employ technology to help you succeed in the new high deductible landscape.

Here’s a cautionary tale: A medical practice comes to us in a panic. It turns out the physician had received a letter from the Office of Civil Rights (OCR) ordering an investigation related to a patient data breach – not his own.

Researchers at University of Southern California have identified a new nail stem cell population, which can self-renew or undergo specialization into different tissues.

The Food and Drug Administration has approved Onexton Gel (clindamycin phosphate and benzoyl peroxide 1.2 percent/3.75 percent, Valeant Pharmaceuticals) for the once-daily treatment of comedonal and inflammatory acne in patients 12 and older.

The effects of air pollution on the skin may trump the benefits that can be gained through lifestyle choices such as proper diet and regular exercise.

A new study appears to support findings that fractional CO2 laser treatment of hypertrophic and burn scars results in improvement of erythema, a common problem following treatment with vascular lasers.