And so, it ends.
From the Editor
Dr. Schwarzenberger is the former physician editor of DermWorld.
By Kathryn Schwarzenberger, MD, FAAD, December 1, 2025
We did not plan it this way, but perhaps it is fitting that “endings” seems to be a common theme of this edition of DermWorld. End of the calendar year, end of reproductive years (our feature on menopause), and end of my tenure as physician editor of DermWorld. It is hard to believe that eight years have already passed, but the dates on the almost 100 issues of DermWorld I have edited make it hard to deny. It has been an honor to serve with the amazing team that makes DermWorld possible. Every element of the DermWorld team is top notch, from leadership to the editors, to the writers and all our professional contributors. Under the thoughtful and caring editorial leadership of Vicky Houghton and Richard Nelson, the magazine has grown from the recognized publication that it was when I joined the team, to being a habitual award winner in the highest publication circles. You made this job very easy, and I will miss our regular interactions. You made me think, and you made me laugh, and for that I am grateful.
I am delighted to hand over the reins of physician editor to Dr. Warren Heymann. Dr. Heymann needs no introduction to anyone who reads DermWorld; his DermWorld Insights and Inquiries column remains a fan favorite. I will allow him to share his plans for DermWorld, but rest assured that he will not stop writing and we will continue to benefit from his wisdom and insight. I could not be leaving DermWorld in better hands and I look forward to seeing how he grows the magazine!
So, in addition to sentiment, what does this edition of DermWorld offer you this month? As I alluded to in the intro, we address the dermatologic changes that may occur around menopause. As reproductive health goes, menopause got little attention until relatively recently, when the potential benefits of hormone replacement therapy got a second look. That the skin is impacted by the hormonal changes during menopause is probably not surprising to any woman over 50. Our colleagues share their thoughts about the state of our present knowledge about the skin during menopause and offer helpful information to share with your patients.
Using light to treat the skin is not new to dermatologists; however, the types of light and ways we use it are evolving. Photobiomodulation (PBM) is one of the newer innovations in photobiology, using light in the red and near-infrared light spectra to stimulate cellular activity. What I find interesting about PBM is how quickly the public became aware of — and interested in — PBM. My patients prompted me to learn more about this interesting technology. I hope our feature helps answer questions your patients may be asking.
And speaking of time flying, 2026 marks the fourth year since the AAD launched the specialty positioning campaign Your Dermatologist Knows. We all know that dermatologists do dermatology best, but it now appears that a growing percentage of the public does too. I think this issue highlights so well how the AAD interacts with members to identify a concern and respond in a meaningful way. I must say I am not surprised, as I have seen this many times in the 30 years I have been involved in our organization. I have been privileged to work on many different AAD committees and can only say that for whatever I have given, I have gotten back much more in return. I am very thankful for having had the opportunity to work with so many of you over the years. I wish you all the best in the upcoming holiday season and a very happy New Year.
