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Actress Cynthia Nixon, best known for her role as Miranda Hobbes in the hit series “Sex and the City,” spoke to dermatologists about her experience with rosacea as part of the Face to Face with Rosacea Symposium at the 2012 Fall Clinical Dermatology Conference on Oct. 4.

Achieving optimal surgical closures begins long before - and ends well after - the procedure, says Roger I. Ceilley, M.D., an Iowa dermatologist in private practice and clinical professor of dermatology at the University of Iowa, Iowa City.

Patients with severe psoriasis who were treated systemically with biologic agents or methotrexate had a lower combined risk of death, myocardial infarction and stroke, according to the results of a recent study.

What's so Important about Leadership in Dermatology? In today's volatile healthcare climate, everything Hope for Healing : Cell-based therapy holds promise for venous leg ulcers Clinical Dermatology : Therapies for female patients with acne are abundant, including hormonal options Cosmetic Dermatology : Investigating dry-down times for sunscreens and the efficacy of SPF-rated clothing Cutaneous Oncology : Serial screening may be the key to ensuring survival of high-risk melanoma patients Practice Management : The inside scoop on Stage 2 of the meaningful use requirements

Warning signs

When using fillers in the glabella, "The big concern is vascular compromise, which can lead to necrosis. We certainly hope this won't happen to our patients and us. But it's important to be prepared,"

Treating severe atopic dermatitis presents numerous hurdles for patients and doctors alike. Many patients with severe atopic dermatitis disease have tried and failed numerous treatments in the past; part of the challenge is regaining their trust in medicine, says Peter Lio, M.D., a dermatologist in practice in Chicago and clinical assistant professor of dermatology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University.

There is not enough evidence to conclude that exposure to animals in childhood confers protection from atopic dermatitis or other atopic conditions, according to the chief of pediatric and adolescent dermatology, Rady Children's Hospital, San Diego.

Options for topical treatment of actinic keratoses (AKs) are increasing, but in choosing a management approach, dermatologists should keep in mind that AKs are a premalignant condition, and the ultimate goal of therapy is prevention of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Field treatment is the key to managing the entire disease, says Neal Bhatia, M.D.

Even though dermatology is the oldest medical specialty, there are probably more unanswered questions in the field than in other specialties because we can visualize our organ of study 24/7. Thus, more observations can be made, allowing the formulation of more questions to answer. Patients probably ask more casual questions of spouses, family members and physicians regarding their skin than any other organ, as well.

Patients who undergo a solid organ transplant procedure have an alarmingly higher incidence of skin cancers compared to the general population. Special care and management strategies involving a multidisciplinary approach are warranted in this group, says Mich?l O'Donoghue, M.D., a dermatologist in private practice in Oak Brook, Ill.

Current strategies for minimizing bruising associated with filler injections include considering introducing cannulas in some areas, discontinuing certain vitamins and herbal remedies and potentially avoiding certain needle techniques, says Joel L. Cohen, M.D.

Many treatment regimens are available and customizable to meet the individualized needs of adult female patients with acne, according to Diane S. Berson, M.D., who practices in New York. And several key factors differentiate adult female acne patients from males.

As research and clinical experience continue to underscore differences between the three neuromodulators available in the United States, picking a product for a given clinical situation rests largely upon individual preference, according to Joel L. Cohen, M.D., who spoke earlier this year at MauiDerm 2012: Advances in Cosmetic and Medical Dermatology.

Regular serial screening by dermatologists may be the key to ensuring survival for patients at high risk of melanoma, according to a study. In the study, which is now in its 20th year, no melanoma deaths occurred in any higher-risk patients who underwent serial screening in the private practice of Ronald N. Shore, M.D.

The recent release of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Final Rule for Stage 2 of the Medicare and Medicaid Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Program gives dermatologists a clear view of where the government initiative is steering you - and your patients. What lies ahead - eventually, even for those not participating in the program - is a new world of electronically connected practices and patients.

With the Nov. 6 election quickly approaching, dermatologists, issues involving the impact of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and specific provisions (such as the establishment of the Independent Payment Advisory Board/IPAB) will be part of the decision-making process for many healthcare professionals. Dermatologists also should be aware that the Department of Health and Human Services has published a final rule that will directly affect their practices.