PRP, microneedling, and topical minoxidil for refractory severe androgenetic alopecia
A study published in JAAD assessed the outcomes of combination therapy with platelet-rich plasma (PRP), microneedling, and topical minoxidil in patients with refractory severe androgenetic alopecia (AGA). Twenty-five patients were recruited with refractory AGA who had contraindications, intolerance, or inadequate response to finasteride or spironolactone and had previously tried topical minoxidil and microneedling without success.
[Topical finasteride with minoxidil vs. topical minoxidil alone for male-pattern androgenetic alopecia. Read more.]
The patients showed significant improvement in hair density with the combination therapy compared with baseline measures and maintained efficacy over the follow-up period, supporting the potential use of this combination therapy as a treatment option. The authors concluded that combined therapy facilitated substantial vellus hair growth with subsequent conversion to terminal hairs.
Botulinum toxin in males with androgenetic alopecia. Read more.
DermWorld Insights and Inquiries: Clinical and therapeutic judgment regarding confluent and reticulated papillomatosis of Gougerot and Carteaud
In 1927, Gougerot and Carteaud described “papillomatose pigmentée innominée” (“innominate pigmented papillomatosis”), subsequently named confluent and reticulated papillomatosis (CARP) of Gougerot-Carteaud. CARP is still an enigmatic disease as its recognition as a distinct disorder approaches its 100th anniversary. CARP is characterized by asymptomatic scaly, hyperpigmented papules and plaques that are reticulated at the periphery and confluent in the center. Lesions are distributed on the intermammary region, epigastric area, upper back, and less commonly, the neck, axillae, shoulders, and face. Antibiotics (most commonly minocycline or doxycycline) are first-line therapy. Keep reading!
Act now to stop Medicare payment cuts and provide an inflationary update
AADA President Seemal R. Desai has issued a President’s Message with an action alert encouraging AADA members to urge their representative to cosponsor H.R. 879, the Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act. This bipartisan legislation would stop the Medicare physician payment cut that went into effect on Jan. 1 and provide physicians with an additional 2% payment increase for 2025. Only 8% of AADA members contacted Congress last year — we need your help to spread the message to Congress on how this impacts health care access. If you have not done so already, please visit the AADA Action Center to contact your representative. Please also share this message with your colleagues in your networks, communities, and home states and urge them to take action.
Semaglutide in patients with hidradenitis suppurativa
A study published in the Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology investigated the outcomes of treatment with semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist, in patients with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). A total of 45 patients treated with semaglutide from 2019 to 2024 were included in the study. Most patients experienced weight loss, and 27 patients showed improvement in HS symptoms in terms of lesion count, the need for rescue therapy, and clinical evaluation at follow-ups. Higher doses of semaglutide were significantly associated with better outcomes.
Adverse events associated with JAK inhibitors among dermatology patients
A retrospective study published in Clinical and Experimental Dermatology assessed adverse events in dermatology patients treated with oral JAK inhibitors. Infections (23%), particularly herpes zoster, were the most common adverse events associated with upadacitinib, baricitinib, and tofacitinib. Upadacitinib and tofacitinib were associated with higher rates of therapy modification owing to adverse events (22.6% and 36.8%, respectively), whereas baricitinib use did not result in discontinuations.
Laboratory abnormalities, mostly hyperlipidemia, were frequent but rarely required treatment changes. Overall, two clotting events occurred among patients receiving tofacitinib; however, no long-term effects were reported. The authors recommended that patients on JAK inhibitors should be monitored for infections (especially herpes zoster), transaminitis, and clotting risks, with individual risk factors assessed before treatment initiation.
Targeted alkali thermolysis patch for patients with primary axillary hyperhidrosis
A study published in Dermatologic Surgery assessed the efficacy and safety of the targeted alkali thermolysis (TAT)-Patch in patients with primary axillary hyperhidrosis or excessive axillary sweating. Overall, 64% of the patients in the TAT group showed improvements in the Hyperhidrosis Disease Severity Scale score compared with 44% of those in the sham group. The TAT patch was effective for sweat reduction, with the effects lasting for approximately three months and minimal adverse effects reported.
The Academy is seeking member comments on the draft of the focused clinical guidelines update on the care of atopic dermatitis in adults. The guideline workgroup, which includes experts in AD management and a patient representative, will review your comments and edit the guidelines based on your feedback if applicable. Read the draft guidelines and submit your comment by Feb. 17.
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