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Maddi Hebebrand is an associate editor of 

and joined the MJH Life Sciences team in May 2024. She attended Baldwin Wallace University, studying Media Production and Film, and is now finishing her Masters in Digital Media through Ohio University. When she's not writing, Maddi loves to read, attend concerts and spend time with her family.

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Catch up on coverage from the 2025 South Beach Symposium held in Miami Beach, Florida.

SBS 2025: Complete Conference Recap

Cyaandi R. Dove, DPM, is an assistant professor in the Department of Orthopedics, Division of Podiatry at the University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio.

Recent technological advancements such as the development and use of human cellular and tissue-based products and advanced skin substitutes have transformed limb preservation.

Closing the Wound Care Gap: Addressing Disparities in Amputations and Limb Preservation 

Hershel Dobkin, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist based in Bexley, Ohio, specializing in both medical and surgical dermatology. Dobkin treats patients of all ages with special interest in skin cancer detection and treatment, nail surgery, acne, eczema, psoriasis, hair loss, autoimmune skin diseases and skin infections.

Dobkin underwent the procedure in order to connect with his patients considering it for themselves.

Practice What You Preach: A Clinician's Guide to Chemical Peels

Marie Bosslett is the assistant editor of 

 and joined the MJH Life Sciences team in October 2024. She attended Loyola University Maryland in Baltimore and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communication with minors in marketing and writing. When she’s not writing, Marie enjoys going to concerts, reading on the beach, and spending time with friends and family.

Botox Cosmetic has evolved from its accidental discovery to a leading treatment in dermatology, balancing medical innovation with ethical considerations.

Botox Cosmetic: Ethics, Empowerment, and Innovation

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Review emerging therapies for vitiligo, melasma, PIH, and albinism, including topical, systemic, light-based, and laser treatments.

Vitiligo, Melasma, PIH, and Albinism: Clinical Update and Emerging Therapies

Final Thoughts: The Importance of Comparative Studies in AD

Panelists offer concluding insights and emphasize the critical role of comparative studies in advancing atopic dermatitis treatment strategies.

clinical

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Nada Elbuluk, MD, MSc, emphasizes that medical treatments remain first-line for vitiligo, but stable cases may benefit from surgical options.

Beyond Topicals: Surgical Solutions for Vitiligo

While first-line treatments for vitiligo primarily include medical therapies, procedural interventions are emerging as valuable options for patients with recalcitrant or refractory vitiligo. In a discussion at the 

, Nada Elbuluk, MD, MSc, an associate professor of dermatology at the University of Southern California and founding director of their Skin of Color and Pigmentary Disorders Program, provided valuable insights into procedural treatments for vitiligo.

Elbuluk emphasized that "medical treatments for vitiligo are still our first- and second-line therapy," reinforcing the importance of topical immunosuppressive agents, such as corticosteroids, calcineurin inhibitors, and JAK inhibitors, often in combination with phototherapy. These remain the primary treatment strategies for managing active vitiligo. However, when patients exhibit refractory disease—either failing to respond adequately or plateauing in their progress—alternative interventions may be necessary.

For such patients, procedural treatments become a viable option. Elbuluk highlighted the importance of ensuring disease stability before considering surgical interventions, stating, "For these individuals, you also want to make sure they have no new or worsening lesions for at least 12 months." Stability is a crucial criterion, as ongoing disease activity could compromise the success of surgical procedures.

Among the available procedural treatments, melanocyte-keratinocyte transplantation (MKTP) represents the most advanced technique. This autologous procedure involves harvesting melanocytes and keratinocytes from unaffected skin, typically from the lower half of the body, and grafting them onto depigmented areas. "There are new technologies now that allow for this to be done on site, same day, all within a short, confined time period," Elbuluk noted, highlighting the significant progress in making this procedure more accessible and efficient.

As procedural options continue to evolve, Elbuluk expressed optimism regarding broader insurance coverage for these treatments. Expanding accessibility and affordability will be critical in ensuring that patients with stable, treatment-resistant vitiligo have more effective therapeutic options in the future. With ongoing advancements, procedural treatments are likely to play an increasingly important role in the comprehensive management of vitiligo.

staff are onsite at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel for South Beach Symposium 2025. Subscribe to our 

 for the latest in expert insights, exclusive interviews, and late-breaking data.

To read and listen to more of our conference coverage, click 

Procedural interventions are gaining traction as valuable options for patients with recalcitrant or refractory vitiligo, complementing traditional medical therapies. Dr. Nada Elbuluk emphasized the importance of disease stability before considering surgical interventions, such as melanocyte-keratinocyte transplantation (MKTP), which has become more accessible and efficient. Ensuring broader insurance coverage is crucial for expanding access to these treatments. As procedural options evolve, they are expected to play a more significant role in the comprehensive management of vitiligo, offering hope for patients with stable, treatment-resistant conditions.

Mona Shahriari, MD, FAAD advocates for improving diversity in clinical trials and imagery to enhance trust in patients with skin of color.

Updates in Clinical Study of Patients of Color

Mona Shahriari, MD, FAAD, an assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Yale University and associate director of clinical trials at CCD Research, addressed several critical issues in dermatology at the 2025 MOPD conference in Miami Beach. Her insights focused on enhancing patient trust, improving diversity in clinical trials, and addressing disparities in clinical imagery for diverse skin types.

One of the key challenges in dermatologic clinical trials is the lack of trust between clinicians and patients, particularly among individuals from diverse backgrounds. Shahriari emphasized that many patients from these communities have historical reasons for their skepticism, as they were often the subjects of unethical medical practices. Because of this, she advocates for offering clinical trial participation as an option rather than pushing patients into it, allowing trust to build over time.

“A big part of why we have challenges in achieving clinical diversity is that lack of trust between the clinicians as well as the patients,” Shahriari said. “I can’t tell you how many patients come to me because they tell me, 'You look like me, so you must know how to help me.'”

In regard to drug efficacy across different ethnicities, Shahriari noted that there is insufficient data to draw definitive conclusions. She pointed out that many dermatology clinical trials suffer from the underrepresentation of patients from diverse backgrounds, which hampers our understanding of how treatments can perform across ethnicities. She cited a study on secukinumab, which showed lower efficacy in Asian populations and higher adverse events compared to white patients, suggesting a possible difference in drug metabolism.

“That’s why a big push toward having more inclusive clinical trial design… will help us answer those questions,” Shahriari noted.

Shahriari also highlighted efforts to improve clinical imagery for patients with skin of color. During her residency and beyond, she noticed that most textbooks, advertisements, and online dermatology resources featured images of white skin, which posed challenges for diagnosing conditions in diverse populations. She praised initiatives like a trial from Johnson & Johnson, which developed a library of 20,000 images of plaque psoriasis across diverse skin tones, and expressed a desire for similar resources in other dermatologic conditions.

To address the underrepresentation of diverse populations in dermatologic research, Shahriari pointed to ongoing initiatives aimed at making clinical trials more inclusive. She discussed a draft guidance from the FDA aimed at improving eligibility criteria and accommodating patients with transportation or other barriers. However, Shahriari stressed that achieving true diversity in clinical trials is not a simple matter of setting quotas, noting that a comprehensive approach is necessary as the journey toward inclusivity continues.

 staff are onsite at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel for MOPD and SBS 2025. Subscribe to our 

To read and listen to more of our conference coverage, 

Mona Shahriari, MD, FAAD, addressed key issues in dermatology at the 2025 South Beach Symposium, focusing on patient trust, diversity in clinical trials, and disparities in clinical imagery for diverse skin types. She highlighted the historical mistrust among diverse communities due to unethical practices and advocated for offering clinical trial participation as an option. Shahriari emphasized the need for inclusive trial designs to understand drug efficacy across ethnicities and praised initiatives improving clinical imagery for skin of color. She stressed a comprehensive approach to achieving true diversity in dermatologic research.

Mona Shahriari, MD, FAAD advocates for improving diversity in clinical imagery and trials to enhance trust in patients with skin of color.

In his presentation at Winter Clinical Miami, Del Rosso covered a variety of topics including refractory pediatric vitiligo.

What’s New in the Medicine Chest: Vitiligo

, James Del Rosso, DO, a dermatologist based in Las Vegas, Nevada, offered insights into the management of refractory pediatric vitiligo, emphasizing the potential of emerging therapies and the importance of real-world applications alongside clinical trials. The pearls Del Rosso shared were a portion of his presentation at Winter Clinical Miami 2025 titled, “What’s New in the Medicine Chest?”

"Vitiligo is very challenging," Del Rosso explains, highlighting the complexities of treating the condition. Current treatment modalities include topical ruxolitinib which is a Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor available in a 1.5% formulation. Approved for use in adolescents and adults, this cream is applied twice daily and has shown significant efficacy. According to Del Rosso, "We realize that treatments for vitiligo, regardless of what they are, take time." This underscores the need for patient and provider patience in observing results over extended periods.

The focus of Del Rosso's discussion shifts to refractory pediatric cases, where standard treatments may fall short. In these cases, alternative off-label therapies have been explored. One such therapy involves topical roflumilast cream, a 0.3% phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4) inhibitor initially approved for plaque psoriasis. "This was an off-label use for vitiligo in refractory cases," Del Rosso notes, adding that a case report series demonstrated the cream’s safety and effectiveness. The mode of action—PDE4 inhibition—may play a role in mitigating the underlying inflammation associated with vitiligo.

Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology

 supports these findings. Case studies included photographs illustrating successful outcomes, especially in areas notoriously difficult to treat, such as the dorsal hands and distal fingertips. "There are some cases shown there with some photographs," Del Rosso says, encouraging further exploration of the journal for detailed information.

One compelling example involved the use of oral upadacitinib, a tyrosine kinase 2 inhibitor, for dorsal hand vitiligo. Del Rosso recounts a young male patient without significant comorbidities who experienced favorable results after taking 15 mg daily. "This is from a friend of mine, Dr. Michael Cameron," he adds, emphasizing that all baseline testing and safety considerations were addressed. Although off-label, the treatment proved effective, broadening the horizon of potential options for refractory cases.

Another notable case shared by Del Rosso involved a 61-year-old male treated with topical ruxolitinib for dorsal hand vitiligo. "He had a very rapid response within 4 months, which is quicker than what you typically see," Del Rosso points out. This accelerated repigmentation highlights the potential for real-world applications to sometimes outperform results observed in clinical trials. Del Rosso concludes, "The proof is in the pudding, sometimes in the real world that we have to recognize what we’re doing. We have to look at risk versus benefits."

While clinical trials remain vital for establishing efficacy and safety parameters, Del Rosso noted they often include restrictions that may not fully reflect real-world scenarios. The flexibility of off-label use and anecdotal evidence offers valuable insights, particularly for refractory cases. As Del Rosso’s experiences suggest, the management of pediatric vitiligo requires a multifaceted approach, balancing evidence-based practices with innovative applications tailored to individual patient needs.

To read and listen to more of our conference coverage, click 

 for more insights from Del Rosso, including the full interview with 

 on his presentation at Winter Clinical 2025.

James Del Rosso, DO, discusses the management of refractory pediatric vitiligo, highlighting emerging therapies and real-world applications. He emphasizes the efficacy of topical ruxolitinib, a JAK inhibitor, and explores off-label treatments like topical roflumilast and oral upadacitinib. Del Rosso shares case studies demonstrating successful outcomes, particularly in challenging areas like the dorsal hands. He underscores the importance of balancing clinical trial data with real-world experiences, advocating for a multifaceted approach that considers both evidence-based practices and innovative, patient-specific treatments.

A holistic yet time-efficient approach can help dermatologists recognize early joint pain symptoms associated with psoriasis.

Efficient Screening for Psoriatic Arthritis

, Naiem Issa, MD, PhD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist with Forefront Dermatology in Vienna, Virginia, shared insights into the challenges of diagnosing and managing psoriatic arthritis in dermatology clinics. He emphasized the importance of efficient screening methods to identify patients at risk, given the often busy nature of dermatology practices.

Issa highlighted the significance of a holistic yet time-efficient approach, stating, "The hard thing is that we have a busy clinic, right? And to be holistic in the way we are treating our patients, but also being time efficient." He advised clinicians to conduct simple screenings by asking patients about joint pain, its duration, and specific locations of discomfort. He suggested that clinicians should also assess areas where tendons insert, as this may indicate early symptoms of psoriatic arthritis. "For example, I ask them a question, like, when you wake up in the morning, do you have any aches? And do they get better as you gel throughout the morning?" he explained. Such inquiries can help patients recognize symptoms they may not have otherwise considered significant.

In discussing risk factors, Issa pointed out that individuals with nail psoriasis, inverse psoriasis, and scalp psoriasis are at a higher likelihood of developing psoriatic arthritis. However, he cautioned that all psoriasis patients should be evaluated for joint involvement. "Everybody has the potential to have arthritis right, beyond just those special sites, and at least ask them the question, and then take it from there, right?" he emphasized.

Issa also addressed the evolving landscape of treatment, particularly regarding the potential for a remittive effect in psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis management. While current medications typically require long-term use, emerging data suggest that higher dosing strategies may offer longer disease remission. He referenced a study on IL-23 inhibition, noting, "For example, there’s a study that showed that for IL-23 inhibition called the Knockout study, where you are using high dose of an induction dose with a loading dose, you may be knocking out the memory T cells that give rise to future disease." However, he acknowledged that these findings are still in their infancy.

Regarding treatment selection, Issa discussed the role of different therapeutic pathways, including IL-17 and IL-23 inhibitors, as well as the potential for TYK2 inhibitors to bridge these mechanisms. He highlighted the advantages of TYK2 inhibitors, stating, "The beauty of the molecule that currently exists, deucravacitinib for TYK2 inhibition, is that it’s a small molecule, so it has fast on and off. That gives you a lot of creativity in how you want to use that for certain patient populations."

Issa concluded by underscoring the importance of early intervention. Research indicates that treating psoriasis early, before joint pain develops, may reduce the likelihood of psoriatic arthritis onset. While more studies are needed, he emphasized the value of proactive screening and treatment to improve patient outcomes.

Efficient screening methods are crucial for identifying psoriatic arthritis in dermatology clinics, as emphasized by Naiem Issa, MD, PhD, FAAD. He advocates for a holistic yet time-efficient approach, recommending simple screenings to detect early symptoms. Patients with nail, inverse, and scalp psoriasis are at higher risk, but all psoriasis patients should be evaluated for joint involvement. Emerging treatments, including IL-23 and TYK2 inhibitors, show promise for longer disease remission. Early intervention and proactive screening are vital for improving patient outcomes and potentially reducing psoriatic arthritis onset.

 has asked our readers to share with us what conferences and meetings they are looking forward to or planning to attend in 2025.

Using these responses, we have compiled a list of dermatological meetings taking place in February.

Interested in sharing what conferences you are interested in or planning to attend this year? 

February

The compilation of dermatological meetings scheduled for February 2025 reflects the interests and plans of readers in the dermatology field. This list is based on responses from professionals who have shared their anticipated conference attendance. The initiative encourages further engagement by inviting readers to contribute their own conference plans and interests for the year. This approach not only highlights key events in dermatology but also fosters a sense of community and shared professional development among dermatologists.

Dermatology Times has compiled a list of dermatological meetings taking place during the month of February.

Rebecca Urbonas

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