News

There are five controversies rattling today’s dermatology community, causing some dermatologists to think twice about commonly used products, services and procedures.

Doing something good for the world feels great and when it’s built in to products and services your patients buy from you, it reinforces their decision to choose you and your practice.

Successful laser scar revision is achieved with lower energies, shorter pulse durations, and intervals of at least six weeks between treatments. Learn more

Many dermatologists in private practice inadvertently lose up to tens of thousands of dollars each year by less-than-optimal management of taxes. The good news is that it possible to improve your post-tax bottom line in a number of ways.

The FDA’s recent clearance of SculpSure (Cynosure) shines a light on the billowing demand for noninvasive lipolysis and the promise that unwanted fat will vanish without a prick or incision. Dermatologists and others faced with the daunting decision of which technologies to purchase or rent should also know there are clear differences between what invasive and noninvasive fat reduction can accomplish.

Melinda Gooderham, M.D., MSc, FRCPCPatients might stop taking their biologic medications for a variety of reasons. When patients do stop their biologic therapy, clinicians need to consider that some biologic therapies are better at recapturing response than others. learn more

Dermatology is truly unique in patient satisfaction, but I am concerned that our ability to deliver this high level of performance is being eroded by factors beyond our control. learn more

When considering selling a practice, physicians must consider the near- and long-term objectives of the practice's owners and of the acquiring organization, as well as how much autonomy the proposed arrangement allows the acquired practice, experts say.

Common concerns in daily practice include using Medicare's "incident-to" billing properly and documenting services – particularly why a particular procedure was performed – thoroughly.

Based on the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), one expert explains how each of eight mental processes may impact interactions with patients and staff. By understanding our default processes, we can begin to identify blind-spots in our ways of interacting with others

Dermatology Times presents a year-long exploration of social media-the many ways that it impacts the field of dermatology as well as your medical practice. The series will provide strategies and tips for how you can use social to best effect: how to get started, which platforms to use, secrets for incorporating video, AMA guidelines, and more.

New research indicates that cutaneous melanoma is the most mutation-driven form of all cancers. While research has determined that there is more than one form of cutaneous melanoma, forms with more mutations may respond better to immunotherapies that have been approved by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) since 2011. Learn more

While one German study has shown that population-wide screening for melanoma could dramatically reduce mortality, potential problems with the strategy include cost due to the overall rarity of the disease, patient compliance, and difficulties identifying patients likely to develop melanoma. Therefore, scientists are developing prediction models to identify those at high risk for melanoma, which can include genetic factors. Learn more

Precision medicine appears to be the future of healthcare and the use of big data is proving to be invaluable in achieving this goal. The vast amounts of molecular and other valuable data currently being collected at huge databases and used to create personalized medicine is part of a grand and inevitable formula to revolutionize modern medicine.

Immunosuppressed patients have a greater risk for developing high-risk non-melanoma skin cancer, which can typically be more aggressive in this patient population. As such, a multidisciplinary approach is required when contemplating appropriate treatment and management of this patient population.

The essence of the Stark statute is a prohibition on a physician (or immediate family member) referring a Medicare patient to an entity with which the physician or family member has a financial relationship, when the referral is for any of a targeted list of “designated health services” (DHS), unless the financial relationship meets one of a host of exceptions. For dermatology, the primary impact of this law is on relationships between dermatology practices and dermatopathologists. Because clinical laboratory services are on the DHS list, the complexities are considerable.

Hair loss is an emotionally traumatic experience for patients, and the standard therapeutic armamentarium is frustrating at best. Fortunately, there are several promising supplements and topical botanical agents on the horizon for alopecia.

Dermatologists practicing non-invasive fat reduction have more options than ever. Cryolipolysis treatments, radio frequency (RF) procedures, lasers and injectables offer a multitude of ways to achieve desired results. Lear more

Curcumin is the ingredient in turmeric that is prized for its anti-inflammatory and healing properties. learn more

Many of the state-of-the-art cosmeceuticals contain vitamin C, a potent antioxidant important in skin health. So why do some vitamin C preparations turn orange on the skin? Read more and learn why

A doctor uses hyaluronic acid fillers on his aging patient's hands. His patient suffers complications and sues for medical malpractice, alleging that the doctor used the product for a non-FDA approved purpose.

Dermatology Times invites you to share the one resolution that you hope to stick with in 2016. We’ll share collected, anonymous responses in an upcoming post

Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is often described as ‘the worst disease you’ve never heard of,’ and the young sufferer of this condition are referred to as ‘butterfly children’ because their skin is said to be fragile as the wings of butterflies. A potential new topical treatment option, in phase 3 trials, could help to change the EB treatment landscape.

Clinicians now have a better understanding of rosacea from its potential pathogeneses to the systemic diseases associated with the condition. Learn more

Even the most brilliant physicians often lack the capacity to see inside their own heads or view themselves as others see them. They may neglect or fail to notice the obvious: Burnout, violation of boundaries, depression, anger, substance abuse. Or they may understand they’re in trouble, but fear letting anyone know about their struggles. Help is available when physicians need a path back to professional health. Learn more

Up to 90% of young victims present with cutaneous findings; however, only 8% of the 90% of skin abnormalities due to child abuse are pathognomonic. The diagnosis of child abuse should be evaluated by a multidisciplinary team of expert specialists. Learn what to look for.

We’re looking back on what made the biggest impacts on dermatology in 2015. This is what your peers had to say.

What do your colleagues predict will be the specialty’s game-changers in 2016? Here is what some said they are most looking forward to in the coming year.

When routine skin injuries such as mild burns, skin tears, uncomplicated stasis ulcers and minor post-operative wound complications become a routine part of the wound care center purview and are no longer considered a part of what dermatologists can do or wish to do, the dermatology discipline shrinks further toward a marginalized specialty. Learn more

The stories of the heroes behind these and other dermatologic therapeutic discoveries are recounted in the book To Heal the Skin: The Heroes Behind Discoveries in Dermatology edited by the late Stuart Maddin, M.D., F.R.C.P.C., professor emeritus at the University of British Columbia (UBC) in Vancouver, Canada, and a leader and pioneer in dermatology in Canada and internationally, and Eileen Murray, M.D., F.R.C.P.C., a dermatologist and adjunct professor at UBC. Learn more