Authors of a review published in the International Journal of Dermatology assessed current literature on nail product safety, as increasing research has shown some may be hazardous and can lead to both dermatologic and systemic disease. Various chemicals in nail polish can be toxic to humans, including phthalates. Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) has been found to be a reproductive and developmental toxin. Toluene has been linked to issues with the central nervous system, cardiovascular, reproductive, and dermatologic systems. Along with formaldehyde, which has been shown to be carcinogenic, toluene and DBP are known as the toxic trio and efforts to exclude these ingredients from nail products have been largely unsuccessful, according to the authors.
In addition to consumers, nail technicians may be at risk with their duration and frequency of exposure, with worsening of preexisting asthma, new onset asthma, and rhinitis observed. Despite U.S. companies voluntarily labeling nail polish as being free of specific toxins, testing showed the presence of multiple potentially harmful ingredients. According to the study authors, much more research is required, but the current data show that there needs to be more consistent and accurate labeling and a better understanding of the possible risks.
Nail experts discuss how to diagnose common — and not-so-common — nail disorders. Read more.
DermWorld Insights and Inquiries: High-dose vitamin D may be a ray of sunshine for treating sunburn
Dermatologists do everything possible to extol the benefits of sun avoidance and protection to prevent sunburn and the risk of skin cancer. Despite these efforts, people will get sunburned — even with the best of intentions. Once the inflammatory cascade is triggered and sunburn is present, treatments are ineffective and are mostly directed to supportive and symptomatic control. I was intrigued by an editorial by McGrath and Lu titled “Single high-dose vitamin D3: a promising sunburn therapy.” High-dose vitamin D (HDVD may also be helpful in managing acute radiation dermatitis. In the two cases reported by Nguyen and Lu, HDVD resulted in symptomatic improvement of pain and swelling in 3 to 7 days. Keep reading!
Fatty acid supplements and atopic dermatitis?
A review published in Dermatitis explored whether patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) can benefit from omega-3 and omega-6 supplements. For borage oil and evening primrose oil, evidence of their effectiveness is mixed, though they may offer some preventative benefits. Fish oil supplements appear to be effective in treating AD, as they reduce clinical scores and symptom severity. Oral ceramides, blackcurrant seed oil, and hempseed oil have yet to be thoroughly studied, but preliminary results are promising, the authors said. While some evidence is promising, the reliability of these products, as well as their optimal dosage and frequency, remains uncertain, the authors concluded.
A burgeoning style of dermatologic care that combines traditional medicine with evidence-based alternatives is taking shape. Read more.
Authors of a study published in Dermatologic Surgery evaluated the efficacy of low-level light therapy (LLLT) for various types of alopecia. Thirty-eight studies were included that described 3,098 patients with androgenetic alopecia (2,930), scarring alopecia (49), alopecia areata (50), telogen effluvium (17), and chemotherapy-induced alopecia (32). The mean change in hair density increased significantly in androgenetic alopecia patients after LLLT for four to 26 weeks compared with placebo. The authors concluded that LLLT is a promising treatment option for patients with androgenetic alopecia, but future studies are needed to better understand its efficacy in other types of alopecia.
More physicians moving to hospital-owned practices, private equity groups
According to a recent press release from the AMA, physicians are continuing to move away from private practice and increasingly working at practices owned by hospitals or private equity groups. Reasons for the move include inadequate payment rates, costly resources, and burdensome regulatory and administrative requirements.
[Explore practice options, whether you are joining a traditional solo or group practice, exploring concierge medicine, or considering a career in academia .]
“After adjusting for inflation in practice costs, Medicare physician payment has fallen 33% over the past quarter century, which has severely destabilized private practices and jeopardized patients’ access to care,” said AMA President Bruce A. Scott, MD.
The share of physicians working in private practices in 2024 was 42.2%, a decline of 18 percentage points from 60.1% in 2012. In contrast, the share of physicians working in hospital-owned practices in 2024 increased to 34.5%, an increase of 11 percentage points from 23.4% in 2012. In 2024, 6.5% of physicians characterized their practice as private equity-owned, higher than the shares in 2020 and 2022, which were both around 4.5%, the report noted.
Visit the Academy's Practice Management Center for dermatologist-specific resources that help simplify administrative burdens and ease stress.
2023 QPP Preview Period is now open
The 2023 Preview Period for Doctors and Clinicians is now open as of Tuesday, May 27, 2025. Physicians and groups can now view their 2023 Quality Payment Program (QPP) performance information before it is publicly reported on the Medicare.gov compare tool and in the Provider Data Catalog (PDC). Access to the secure preview is available through the QPP website. The Preview Period will close on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, at 8 p.m. ET.
The American Academy of Dermatology is a non-profit professional organization and does not endorse companies or products. Advertising helps support our mission.
