News

Staphylococci bacteria on the skin’s surface can produce a biofilm that occludes the sweat ducts, which results in atopic dermatitis and eczema, according to results of a recent study.

Infliximab, a monoclonal antibody, may be an effective treatment for children with Kawasaki disease, results of a recent study suggest.

Though half of melanoma patients with the BRAF mutation respond positively to treatment with BRAF inhibitors, most develop resistance to the drugs and experience disease progression. A new study suggests a drug used to treat malaria may help to block the pathway that causes this BRAF inhibitor resistance.

Performing sentinel lymph node biopsies on melanoma patients can significantly prolong a patient's disease-free life by early detection of metastasis, according to a recent study.

Using educational videos focused on premature aging caused by sun exposure was more likely to improve teens’ sunscreen use than videos focused on skin cancer risk, a recent study suggests.

If your practice’s business is anything like national trends, you may need to beef-up your number of staff members for 2014 to handle the explosion of aesthetic procedures coming through your doors.

The skincare company PhotoMedex has signed a definitive agreement to acquire LASIK provider LCA-Vision for more than $106 million.

Members of Congress have reached an agreement that would repeal the sustainable growth rate formula, which is used to determine Medicare reimbursement rates for physicians. The agreement allows for guaranteed annual reimbursement increases of 0.5 percent over the next five years for Medicare providers.

Noninvasive, nonscarring treatment of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) could be on the horizon.

Cryotherapy may be more effective than CO2 laser ablation in treatment of actinic keratosis (AKs) on the face and scalp, according to a recent study.

Recent reports on results from the Psoriasis Longitudinal Assessment and Registry (PSOLAR) study show there are no distinct patterns of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), and there are limited rates of malignancy, overall.

Drinking alcohol regularly may increase risk of developing melanoma by up to 55 percent, according to a new study.

Results of a long-term, multicenter study show that brimonidine is effective in treating moderate-to-severe facial erythema caused by rosacea.

Valeant Pharmaceuticals International has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire PreCision Dermatology for $475 million in cash plus $25 million payable upon achievement of a sales milestone.

Since these devices are sold over-the-counter, no one really wants to know because injection into the skin would technically make the rollers a device that would require Food and Drug Administration attention.

I thoroughly enjoyed the lead article about “antimicrobial stewardship” in the October edition of Dermatology Times (“Antimicrobial stewardship: How dermatologists can be part of the solution, Vol. 34, No. 10). It succinctly and effectively detailed that for healthcare providers in general and dermatologists in specific, it is our duty to utilize antimicrobials appropriately.

Dermatologists might slash the development of resistance to antibiotics by embracing lower, subantimicrobial doses for acne cases that require only anti-inflammatory activity, experts say. However, they add, getting the majority of dermatologists to accept this message likely will prove challenging.

Top-line results from North American phase 3 clinical trials show that a series of injections with ATX-101 is safe, well-tolerated, and results in clinically meaningful and statistically significant reductions in submental fat or “double chin.”

Skin poration is a not a new concept, but rather the application of acupuncture techniques to skincare. This trend has now spread to the United States.

Are you a squeezed dermatologist? I am afraid many of us are entering this uncomfortable position with little space for relief.

A variety of treatments aside from antibiotics have shown some efficacy in managing hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), according to a clinician speaking at the Dermatology Update 2013 meeting.

Dr. Doe has a 25-year-old dermatology practice in a quiet suburban area. Although he loves practicing dermatology, he finds himself overwhelmed with government regulation. HIPAA, EMR, meaningful use, ACA - he does not know where to begin.

There is a suggestion that early treatment of severe psoriasis will decrease the risk of cardiovascular comorbidities that have been associated with severe psoriasis such as stroke and heart attack, according to a clinical professor dermatology at the State University of New York Buffalo School of Medicine.

Successful laser treatment of pigmented lesions and tattoos requires choosing the right tool for the job, an expert says.

To document the value of melanoma screening, researchers in the United States continue to refine screening strategies, an expert says.

Treatment for metastatic melanoma has begun a dramatic renaissance with the development of novel immunotherapy strategies and targeted therapeutic approaches.

The commercialization of ingenol mebutate (Picato, LEO Pharma) a medication that is currently approved in the United States and many other countries for the treatment of actinic keratosis, is an example of how enthusiasm and commitment can drive innovation, a LEO Pharma general manager says.

A new area of research may help in the development of more effective topical products to counteract polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, a result of air pollution which impacts skin aging.

Key concerns regarding infectious diseases with cutaneous manifestations include the expanding reach of infections formerly thought rare and exotic, experts say. Meanwhile, they add, some infections rarely seen stateside in recent years are resurging.

Cosmetic concerns are important to many of our patients. Among the difficulties faced by consumers is the blitz of advertising of new and presumably revolutionary products that can rejuvenate and preserve the youthful appearance of the skin. Many products make what sound like medical claims about the efficacy of these agents. Norman Levine, M.D., asked Zoe Draelos, M.D., the foremost authority on this subject, to discuss these issues with us.