Is beef tallow effective for dermatologic conditions?
Authors of an article published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology examined the quality of claims made about beef tallow as a skin care product based on the available evidence. The researchers evaluated social media posts from various platforms in a cross-sectional analysis to assess claims about tallow-related skin care and the quality of information provided.
[How can dermatologists counsel teens, tweens, and their parents on safe skin care practices? Read more.]
Claims of efficacy for acne, atopic dermatitis, and psoriasis were prevalent but largely lacked cited evidence. Scientific evidence supporting the claims was minimal, with YouTube videos being the only platform to cite sources. Posters rarely mentioned safety risks, such as proper storage, microbial contamination, and allergenic reactions.
Despite growing anecdotal claims that beef tallow benefits skin care and dermatologic conditions, evidence remains insufficient to support these claims, they concluded.
From ‘slugging’ to snail mucin: Dermatologists discuss popular social media trends impacting the skin. Read more.
DermWorld Insights and Inquiries: Cannabis arteritis — Getting higher on the differential diagnosis list of ulcerative lesions
Marijuana use is on the rise. In 2022, nearly 22% of people had used the drug in the past year, with steep increases in the number of people 65 and older who use cannabis. Adverse dermatologic complications of marijuana use include allergic contact dermatitis, urticaria, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, and cannabis-induced arteritis (aka cannabis arteritis, CA). CA predominantly affects young male cannabis smokers without other cardiovascular risk factors. Vaping high-potency THC may cause CA. Clinically, claudication, Raynaud phenomenon, and superficial vein thrombosis may all precede digital ulceration. Keep reading!
GLP-1s in the adjunctive treatment of patients with HS
Authors of a Brief Report in JAAD summarized evidence regarding the potential role of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1s) in the management of hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). A total of six studies were included, comprising a total of 92 patients, all of whom had concomitant diagnosis of obesity and/or diabetes. Patients were treated with one of three GLP-1s — semaglutide (81.5%), liraglutide (17.4%), or tirzepatide (1.0%) — with various doses and length of treatment. Overall, 58.6% of patients showed significant clinical improvement of HS lesions following initiation of GLP-1s.
The use of GLP-1s has offered potential new avenues for patients with chronic inflammatory skin diseases. Read more.
Efficacy of botulinum toxin A for melasma?
Authors of an article published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology evaluated the effectiveness of botulinum toxin A (BTA) combined with a triple combination cream (TCC, 4% hydroquinone, 0.05% tretinoin, and 0.01% fluocinolone acetonide) for treating and preventing melasma recurrence compared to topical therapy alone.
Clinical improvement and melanin index were assessed using the Melasma Area and Severity Index score on the malar area (MASIm). The combination therapy side showed significant MASIm decrease at week two while the monotherapy side showed no significant change. At four weeks, a 20% reduction of MASIm was observed in the combination therapy side when compared to the monotherapy side, which worsened by 0.93%. At week 24 (three months after discontinuing TCC), MASIm worsened 21% from baseline and improved by 37% with the combined treatment. The authors concluded that BTA combined with TCC demonstrated superior efficacy in melasma treatment compared to TCC monotherapy.
Oral tranexamic acid for treatment of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Read more.
CMS opens data submission for 2025 MIPS performance year
CMS has opened the data submission period for Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) eligible clinicians who participated in the 2025 performance year of the Quality Payment Program (QPP). Data can be submitted and updated until 8 p.m. EDT on March 31, 2026. Submission resources are available in the QPP Resource Library.
For those submitting data via the Academy’s DataDerm registry, MIPS data submission will open next month. Stay tuned for an email once submission is open.
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