Authors of a study published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology evaluated the association of depression and suicide with oral finasteride in males. No significant adverse events (AEs)/signals were detected with oral finasteride from 2006 to 2011 for any of the following AEs: completed suicide, depression, suicidal behavior, suicidal ideation, attempted suicide.
There was a greater likelihood of reporting suicidal ideation in individuals taking oral finasteride during 2013–2018 and 2019–2023. In contrast, no signals were detected with oral dutasteride during 2006–2011, 2013–2018, and 2019–2023. The authors speculated that the increased reports in the latter years may be linked to heightened awareness of AEs following the recognition of post-finasteride syndrome in 2012.
DermWorld Insights and Inquiries: Till death do us part — Love, marriage, and cutaneous oncology
“What’s that on your back?” My wife asked me that question a year after finding a tick at the same site. This time, the dark lesion was a thin melanoma. I hadn’t a clue that a lesion was there. Many studies confirm improved relative cancer survival among married patients, including untreated patients or those diagnosed in later stages of the disease. Married cancer patients generally have higher rates of early detection, treatment, and long-term survival. Melanoma was the second cancer my wife detected on me. In so many ways, I do not know where I would be without her.Keep reading!
Adding oral minoxidil to standard treatment for lichen planopilaris
Authors of a study published in Dermatologic Therapy evaluated the effectiveness of adding low-dose oral minoxidil to the standard anti-inflammatory treatment of lichen planopilaris (LPP). In one cohort, participants were given a weekly dose of 15 mg of methotrexate along with topical clobetasol. In the second cohort, participants were given the same methotrexate and clobetasol regimen with the addition of 1 mg of oral minoxidil.
Both treatment arms were shown to have significant reductions in participants’ Lichen Planopilaris Activity Index (LPPAI) scores. Improvements in patients’ symptoms, including follicular prominency, itch, scalp erythema, perifollicular erythema, and pigmentation, were observed in both cohorts. Improvements in burning sensations, pain, hair tufting, and disease spreading only took place among individuals being treated with methotrexate combined with low-dose oral minoxidil. The authors concluded that the addition of 1 mg/day minoxidil to the standard treatment of LPP was found to be safe but did not yield significant effects on LPPAI and hair density/thickness.
UV/LED nail lamp radiation exposure during manicures, pedicures
A review published in the International Journal of Dermatology synthesized evidence on the health effects of UV/LED nail lamp exposure during manicures and pedicures. Multiple studies found that UVA and UVB emissions from commonly used nail lamps were generally below the risk thresholds for acute skin damage. However, the lamp’s UV output was up to 4.2 times higher within the 355 to 385 nm range than the sun (at UV index = 6). A 10-minute exposure to a UV nail lamp is equivalent to the daylight exposure limit recommended for outdoor workers, potentially reaching skin cancer risk thresholds in under 10 minutes, the authors noted.
[Nail experts discuss how to diagnose common — and not-so-common — nail disorders. Read more.]
Researchers found that four minutes of UV exposure did not significantly impact cell viability compared to controls, mimicking real-world manicure duration. In contrast, 20 minutes significantly reduced cell viability by 35%. According to the authors, evidence regarding UV/LED nail lamp carcinogenicity remains inconclusive and the current evidence is insufficient to support mandatory implementation of protective measures in salon settings.
Risk of malignancy in patients treated with TNF-α inhibitors
Authors of a review in Clinical and Experimental Dermatology assessed the association between long-term TNF-α inhibitor (TNFi) therapy and the risk of cancer among 32,765 patients with psoriasis. The results showed that TNFi therapy was not associated with an increase in cancer risk for the following categories: All cancers excluding nonmelanoma skin carcinoma, melanoma, lymphoma, prostate, and breast cancers. However, subgroup analysis revealed a higher risk of nonmelanoma skin cancer in patients with psoriatic arthritis and a significant increase in the risk of squamous cell carcinoma in those with psoriasis treated with TNFi compared with the general population.
Telehealth flexibilities extended through September
Recent federal action means key telehealth flexibilities that were set to expire in March will now remain in place through September 2025. Visit the AAD’s updated resource to understand what’s changing, what’s staying, and how to prepare your practice for the months ahead. Review the telehealth policy updates.
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