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I am responding to the letter from Craig G. Burkhart, M.D. regarding the issue of dysplastic nevi vs atypical nevi wherein he discusses some comments made by Terry Barrett, M.D. in your May 2007 issue

I recently have found myself questioning the safety profile of the drugs I prescribe. How safe does a drug have to be before I will confidently write a prescription? Conversely, how dangerous does a drug have to be before I will discontinue its use in my practice?

Washington, D.C. - While dermatologists welcome proposed changes to FDA's iPLEDGE isotretinoin risk management program, they say iPLEDGE needs further tweaking in areas including physician and patient convenience, data security and drug access for low-income patients.

Results of a recently released study suggest that where quality of care is concerned-and despite the hype over recent years-physicians who use electronic medical records (EMR) have no significant edge over those who keep records the old-fashioned way: on paper.

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Dallas - A study conducted at UT Southwestern Medical Center here suggests that cleaning absorbable sutures with hydrogen peroxide dramatically decreases their tensile strength, news source ScienceDaily.com reports.

Hayward, Calif. - Thermage®, based here, has won Aesthetic Trends & Technologies magazine’s “2006 Laser & Light Technology Choice Award” in the Best Device for Skin Laxity category for its ThermaCool™ system, PRNewswire reports.

Copenhagen, Denmark - Two Danish firms have teamed to produce and market a new, vendable hot chocolate drink that is high in antioxidants, the molecules associated with skin health and anti-aging, reports news source Cosmeticsdesign-europe.com.

Cary, Ill. - Biotech firm iSoy Technologies, based here, has developed a molecule with sunscreen properties known as FSG33 - the result of joining a compound found in the soy plant with ferulic acid.

Galveston, Texas - A research team from Shriners Hospitals for Children here reports that burn-associated morbidity and mortality in children are driven by an increased hypermetabolic and inflammatory reaction and impaired cardiac function related to burn size, according to news source Medpagetoday.com.

Baltimore - Researchers from Johns Hopkins Medical Center have released a study showing that an experimental model of the rare skin disorder epidermolysis bullosa simplex responds promptly to an antioxidant phytochemical found in broccoli and related plants, reports Medpagetoday.com.

Graz, Austria - A new study shows that alefacept combined with phototherapy clears psoriasis more quickly than alefacept alone, Medpagetoday.com reports.

Paris - A team of French researchers has completed a study showing that women who take antioxidant supplements, which include vitamins C and E and beta carotene, may increase their risk of skin cancer by as much as 68 percent, according to an ABC News report.

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Dr. Schlessinger answers cosmetic questions about melasma, laser hair removal, cosmeceuticals and liposuction for men

Laser hair removal can be a permanent option for those sick of waxing, plucking and shaving.

As we age, our noses tend to look bigger because the ligaments loosen. Cosmetic surgeons can help create a more harmonious feature.

More and more men are opting for cosmetic and restorative procedures to enhance their features as they age

Cosmeceuticals provide a higher level of antioxidants and the ingredients have a greater impact on the skin, according to an expert.

Vitamins are being talked about for their ability to help repair and reverse the signs of aging. Some vitamins are better for this than others, read on to find out which are best.

Performing a self-exam for signs of skin cancer can be a life-saving health commitment

An arsenal of products, services can help repair the sun's harmful effects

I receive many questions about how to bill for various nail services.

Preparation is crucial to patient flow. Poor preparation wastes time - and your time, after all, is your dermatology practice's most valuable asset.

Though this column typically focuses on lights and lasers, mentioning radiofrequency (RF) is clearly indicated for many reasons.

Q. Can oral soy phytoestrogens be used by women with breast cancer to improve skin texture?

Given consumers' desire to look younger-and the recent resultant increase in the number of medical spas, for example-it would appear that dermatologists looking to expand their practice have an instant, built-in business solution: growth via aesthetics.