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Dr. Comfort is a practicing dermatologist in a large U.S. city, and he prides himself on making patients extraordinarily comfortable during and after surgical procedures.

The concept of a Medical Spa has attracted the attention of many physicians looking to enhance their existing cosmetic practice or add a profitable service to a practice that otherwise was getting harder to maintain profitability. A medical spa can be both rewarding and successful or disappointing and a financial loss.

National report - While medical spas appear to be here to stay, many struggle simply to stay open, sources tell Dermatology Times.

National report - At the urging of advocacy groups and large corporations, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) has launched a six-month, temporary initiative that will be the first step in measuring health care quality against health care dollars spent.

Dermatologists can agree the goal of reducing the number of medical errors that occur in hospitals is a laudable one. A problem arises, however, when trying to determine when specific conditions are caused by medical error, or when they occur naturally, especially in the dermatological arena.

Bombay, India - Ranbaxy Laboratories Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Bombay-based Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd., has acquired the U.S. rights to a group of 13 dermatology brands from Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. for $26 million, Domain-b.com reports.

Rotterdam, Netherlands - A new study suggests that long-term treatment with pegylated interferon alfa-2b in stage III melanoma has a significant impact on relapse-free survival (RFS), PRNewswire reports.

Rochester, Minn. - Preliminary findings of a study conducted by Mayo Clinic and North and Central Cancer Treatment Group (NCCTG) researchers suggest that two chemotherapy drugs combined with an agent that prevents the growth of blood vessels can significantly delay the spread of tumors in patients with metastatic melanoma.

London - Research conducted at University College London’s Institute of Child Health suggests that excessive washing with abrasive soaps and skincare products could be to blame for an increase in incidence of allergic diseases such as eczema, BBC News reports.

Iowa City, Iowa - According to a study published in the June issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, toenail dystrophy, tinea pedis and other conditions are associated with an increased risk of onychomycosis, HealthDay News reports.

Atlanta - The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released information saying that more than 20,000 new Lyme disease cases per year were reported from 2003 to 2005, making it the most common vector-borne disease in the United States, according to HealthDay News.

Tel Aviv, Israel - The results of an Israeli study suggest a link between penicillin use and a twofold risk of developing pemphigus variant, HealthDay News reports.

Austin, Texas - A recently published study suggests that psoriasis patients who have had extended exposure to high-dose etanercept (Enbrel, Immunex) respond positively and experience no increased infections or other serious adverse effects, MedPage Today reports.

National report - With no indication when the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will decide on its proposed rule essentially banning all hydroquinone products that have not undergone the new drug approval process, dermatologists and patients are seeking alternatives.

Vitiligo patients can benefit from any number of therapies offered by dermatologists. One expert discusses the etiologies of this hypopigmentary disorder, its various treatments and its therapeutic challenges.

Vitiligo patients can benefit from any number of therapies offered by dermatologists. One expert discusses the etiologies of this hypopigmentary disorder, its various treatments and its therapeutic challenges.

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International report - In attempting to ban OTC hydroquinone, FDA could follow South Africa, Japan, Australia and the European Union, which have banned hydroquinone from cosmetic products, sources say. However, some of these areas are experiencing problems with black-market hydroquinone, experts add.

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National report - With no indication when the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will decide on its proposed rule essentially banning all hydroquinone products that have not undergone the new drug approval process, dermatologists and patients are seeking alternatives.

National report - While the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ponders hydroquinone's future, manufacturers and physicians continue to emphasize that no bleaching agents come close to hydroquinone's effectiveness, and research doesn't support a ban.

Even though he has not yet launched his dermatology career, Craig Burkhart, M.D., is already making his mark in the profession.

Once a dermatologist receives a letter regarding a Medicare audit, it is best to take notice and get prepared, says Jack Resneck Sr., M.D., F.A.A.D., of Shreveport, La., who was audited two years ago.

: Simple steps can transform the office visit from one that is forgettable for the dermatologist, patient and staff to one that is unforgettably positive.

Over the span of a few lifetimes, the concept of retirement has undergone radical change in America. In my great-grandfather's time, retirement as we know it today didn't exist. He was a coal miner in Pennsylvania, where laborers worked until they died or became too old to wield a pick and shovel. There were no pensions, no paid vacations, no sick leave.

A part-time physician can add tremendous flexibility to your dermatology or cosmetic surgery practice. But a part-timer will come at a cost if you are not prepared.

Dermatologists should stop struggling and embrace the concept that work-life balance is not work and life as two separate things. Rather, balance is finding joy, happiness and fulfillment in everything you do, whether you are at work or not,

If you love what you're talking about and care about people you're talking to, you will have a passionate, terrific, one-of-a-kind presentation, according to Steven K. Shama, M.D., a dermatologist in practice in Brookline, Mass., and with Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, here.

Unfortunately, things can go wrong in the practice of medicine. How a physician handles a problem, whether perceived or real, goes a long way toward influencing what course of action, legal or otherwise, the patient chooses to take.

Camouflage makeup has evolved, now offering dermatologists a relatively low-risk way to cover up conditions ranging from vitiligo to rosacea or melasma. In addition to creating a more natural-looking appearance, compared with the older "cake makeup" products, mineral makeup sometimes can even help to control acne breakouts.