A research letter published in JAMA Dermatology synthesized data regarding the efficacy and safety of at-home LED devices for the treatment of acne. The studies ranged from two days to 12 weeks with a total of 216 participants ranging in age from 12 to 50 years with mild to moderate acne. Compared with the control, LED devices resulted in greater percent change in inflammatory lesions (45.3%), noninflammatory lesions (47.7%), and Investigator Global Assessment (45.7%). Red and blue wavelength devices were found to be efficacious with increased efficacy reported when used in combination. Improvements were typically noted after four to 12 weeks of use. No severe adverse reactions were reported.
DermWorld Insights and Inquiries: Standard postoperative wound care practice may be all wet
Dermatologists perform procedures throughout the day, including straightforward skin biopsies, electrodesiccation, curettage, cryosurgery, laser treatments, etc. Postoperatively, many of these wounds are dressed, and patients are given instructions for caring for them. How many of us advise patients as they do at the Mayo Clinic — Your health care provider may instruct you to keep the bandage over the biopsy site until the next day. The phrase “leave the dressing on until tomorrow” rolls off my tongue, bypassing my cerebral cortex. I never thought about the science behind this caveat. Smaan et al. concluded, “Surgical wounds can be allowed to get wet in the immediate postoperative period with no increased incidence of infection or other complications and with similar cosmesis.” It may seem trivial, but allowing patients to resume their daily hygiene practices within hours will make many patients happy. Keep reading!
Academy mourns the passing of Ronald L. Moy, MD
The Academy recently learned with sorrow of the passing of Ronald L. Moy, MD, former president of the Academy. Board certified in dermatology and facial cosmetic surgery, Dr. Moy also previously served as president of the American Society of Dermatologic Surgery and the American Board of Facial Cosmetic Surgery. He was also a member of the American College of Mohs Surgery, American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, and American Board of Facial Cosmetic Surgery. Last year, he was awarded the Samuel J. Stegman, MD Award for Distinguished Service.
Dr. Moy specialized in cosmetic and facial plastic surgery, including facelifts, liposuction, laser skin resurfacing, eye lifts, and Mohs micrographic surgery. Over the course of his 25-year clinical career, he performed more than 30,000 cases of Mohs micrographic surgery and facial plastic surgery.
Dr. Moy completed his dermatology residency training at UCLA and then completed his facial cosmetic and Mohs micrographic surgery fellowship training at the University of Pittsburgh Center for Health Services.
Dr. Moy served as a professor at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, where he held roles as co-chief of the UCLA Division of Dermatology and chief of Dermatologic Surgery. He was past editor-in-chief of Dermatologic Surgery and served on the Editorial Board of Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery and Aesthetic Surgery.
Dr. Moy was a prolific author, with more than 200 publications on cosmetic and dermatologic surgery and treatments. He was widely regarded as a renowned international lecturer on innovations in cosmetic surgery.
In honor of Dr. Moy’s legacy, a donation to Camp Discovery has been made on behalf of the Board of Directors.
Academy mourns the passing of Frederick F. Castrow II, MD
The Academy recently learned with sorrow of the passing of Frederick Castrow II, MD, former president (2002-2003) and secretary treasurer (1992-94) of the Academy. He was in private practice in southwest Houston from 1959 to 2001. During his career as a dermatologist, he received many honors, including serving as president of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery and the Harris County Medical Society, and selection as an Ashbel Smith Distinguished Alumnus Awardee of the University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, where he completed dermatology residency.
In honor of Dr. Castrows’s legacy, a donation to Camp Discovery has been made on behalf of the Board of Directors.
Rates of dissatisfaction with hidradenitis suppurativa treatments
Authors of a study published in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology assessed patient perceptions of current and emerging hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) treatments and their impact on quality of life.
[HS experts discuss the latest therapeutic and procedural updates to optimize disease management. Read more.]
The researchers found that fewer than 20% of respondents were satisfied or very satisfied with current treatment options. Only 39 (26%) of the 244 patients with self-reported disease severity of Hurley stage II or III were being treated with biologics and/or hormone therapy, indicating undertreatment per current guidelines. Nearly 75% of the respondents were unaware of FDA-approved treatments with more than half reporting that these options had not been discussed by their dermatologist or health care provider. Sixty percent of respondents felt it was important to have FDA-approved therapies, believing it would result in improved physical health, mental health, and/or personal relationships. The authors speculated that the dissatisfaction with current treatment options likely results from both undertreatment and gaps in knowledge of current FDA-approved therapies.
Authors of an article in JAMA Dermatology investigated the differences in effectiveness between adalimumab biosimilars (Amjevita and Imraldi) and the adalimumab originator for psoriasis. The effectiveness of initiating two biosimilars was compared with initiating adalimumab among adalimumab-naive patients. The effectiveness of switching from adalimumab to either biosimilar was compared with continuing adalimumab among patients who had been using the medication consistently for more than two years.
[Biosimilar substitution laws passed in 50 states, but details vary. Read more.]
Biosimilar new users had no significantly different probability of achieving a PASI score of 2 or less and a PASI score of 4 or less compared with new users of adalimumab. Patients who switched to biosimilars also had no statistically significant differences in achieving a PASI score of 2 or less and a PASI score of 4 or less compared with those who continued adalimumab. The authors concluded that the two biosimilars were as effective as adalimumab for both new starters and patients switching from biosimilars to adalimumab.
Pharmacists assume a greater role in dermatology patient care. Read more.
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