News

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.

A new study has found substantial inaccuracies in physician directories for Medicare Advantage (MA) patients seeking dermatologic services.

UCLA researchers have developed a methodology to predict whether advanced melanoma patients will or will not respond to the breakthrough drug pembrolizumab (Keytruda, Merck).

Results of a new study suggest that treatment of keratosis pilaris (KP) with a longer wavelength laser is effective for improving skin roughness and textural irregularities, but does little for the erythema associated with KP.

Long-lasting fragrances is one of the major accomplishments of the perfume industry that has become the bane of fragrance sensitive individuals.

A new study suggests that hypersensitivity to aspirin may cause complications in some children with chronic spontaneous urticaria.

An animal study published online Nov. 3 in the Journal of Clinical Investigation links skin sensitization, gastrointestinal inflammation and food allergy.

Aluminum pharmaceutical tubes are often coated internally with bisphenol A diglycidyl ether (BADGE)-based epoxy resins - and according to a new study from Germany, this may present a problem for people who manufacture or work with these tubes.

Bacteria responsible for causing skin and soft tissue infections has been found in hidradenitis suppurativa lesions, results of a recent study indicate.

TAK-33 inhibited and regressed tumor growth in melanoma cell lines and patient-derived xenograft models. This “robust” success in the lab, according to a study published in Nov. 5, 2014 in Molecular Cancer Therapeutics, justifies continued clinical development as a potential therapy for melanoma patients.

Dermatology Times editorial advisor, Elaine Siegfried, M.D., talks with Carrie Kovarik, M.D., associate professor, department of dermatology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, about her path into teledermatology, best practices, and the future of telemedicine.

Learn more about Exogenous Ochronosis

65-year-old man complains of this hyperpigmented rash on his face, which has been there for more than 2 years.

What, if anything, can dermatologists and other aesthetic practitioners do to use home aesthetic devices to their advantage? Physician experts offer their perspective.

Why are so many fruit and floral type scent combinations popular, such as kiwi/vanilla or rose/melon or peppermint/lemon?

Results of a new study suggest the extent to which new ways of delivering dermatological services could improve outcomes and ease access to care.

A new government study suggests costs related to nonmelanoma skin cancer and melanoma treatment have skyrocketed relative to other cancers, increasing by 126 percent to more than $8 billion.

Several weeks ago an editorial appeared in our local newspaper. The basic premise of this editorial is that we doctors aren’t doing enough “to control healthcare costs.” This is in spite of the availability of an $840 million grant program under the ACA “to teach Medicare and Medicaid doctors new ways to offer higher-quality, better-coordinated, more cost-effective care.” From my experience as a practicing dermatologist in both academics and private practice, I have always felt that the specialty of dermatology was extremely cost effective while delivering high quality care to our patients. Providing high quality healthcare at a reasonable cost is not only incredibly difficult but also extremely complex.

Although every scar tells a story, it is a tale better spoken by the dermatologist and plastic surgeon who can help to reduce its appearance. To do so, physicians today are using improved protocols in laser treatment and beyond.