March 18, 2026
IN THIS ISSUE / March 18, 2026
Oral hyaluronic acid supplement: Does it improve skin aging?
DermWorld What’s Hot: Insurance denial of ‘cosmetic’ conditions
Does the application of emollients prevent pediatric eczema?
Oral hyaluronic acid supplement: Does it improve skin aging?
An article published in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology provided a comprehensive analysis of the efficacy of oral hyaluronic acid (HA) supplementation on various signs of skin aging, including hydration, elasticity, firmness, wrinkle reduction, and transepidermal water loss. A total of seven randomized controlled trials on the use of oral HA as a supplement were identified.
[Are topical estrogens effective for skin aging? Read more.]
The meta-analysis revealed statistically significant improvements in skin hydration, elasticity, and wrinkle depth following oral HA supplementation. Although the effects of oral HA on skin firmness, wrinkle volume, and transepidermal water loss were not statistically significant, a general trend of improvement was observed in these parameters.
What factors may contribute to premature hair graying? Read more.
DermWorld What’s Hot: Insurance denial of ‘cosmetic’ conditions
A recent JAAD article highlights the highly commendable effort by the authors who worked to successfully reverse discriminatory policies by one of the largest health insurers in Michigan that selectively chose to not cover alopecia, lupus, keloid and sarcoidosis, dermatologic conditions that disproportionately affect African Americans and other skin of color patients. Read more from Maureen Offiah, MD, FAAD.
Is topical urea beneficial for onychomycosis?
A study in Mycoses evaluated the role of topical urea 40% as an adjuvant therapy for onychomycosis. Eligible studies included six randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and six nonrandomized studies that enrolled patients with onychomycosis who received topical urea 40% in combination with antifungal therapy.
[Nail experts discuss how to diagnose common — and not-so-common — nail disorders. Read more.]
The authors found that adding topical 40% urea as an adjuvant therapy significantly improved the clinical cure rate compared to therapy using antifungals alone. However, there were no significant differences in mycological and total cure rates. Topical urea can be used to improve the clinical efficacy of antifungals for onychomycosis, the authors wrote, however, evidence for mycological and total efficacy is lacking.
Nail experts discuss the diagnosis and management of onychomycosis. Read more.
Does the application of emollients prevent pediatric eczema?
A study published in JAMA Dermatology investigated whether daily emollient application in infants reduces the incidence of atopic dermatitis (AD) by 24 months. Infant-parent dyads were randomized to one of two groups: Daily full-body emollient application starting by age nine weeks or a control group that did not use emollients.
At 24 months, the cumulative incidence of AD was 36.1% in the daily moisturizer group and 43% in the control group. The magnitude of effect was larger in the population not at high risk of AD. The protective effect was significantly modified by the presence of a dog in the home.
Cannabidiol in dermatology
A review published in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology provided an update on the clinical applications of cannabidiol (CBD) in dermatology. This study focused on the antioxidant, UV-protective, and wound-healing properties of CBD. Literature has demonstrated CBD’s antioxidant properties, particularly with levels of vitamins A and E, as well UV-protective properties of nanoformulated CBD. Nanoformulated CBD has shown promise in treating acne, psoriasis, and eczema as well. There is also recent evidence supporting CBD’s role in wound healing and highlighting its potential benefits in post-surgical recovery and the management of chronic wounds.
[Dermatologists discuss the cutaneous signs of established and emerging illicit substances. Read more.]
According to the authors, there is increasing evidence supporting the safety, efficacy, and broad spectrum of dermatologic application of CBD, although the ability to market and disseminate CBD-containing products remains a challenge.
CBD: Potential or placebo? Read more.
