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The key concerns that dog dermatology today - healthcare reform, workforce woes and the impact of cosmetic dermatology - aren't going to disappear soon, sources say. Nevertheless, they say, the specialty will survive, although probably with more nonphysician clinicians delivering dermatologic care.

Melanocytic nevi always have the potential to change in size, shape and color regardless of when they first appear in the skin, or the age of the patient. A recent study shows that though some nevi demonstrate dynamic change throughout a pregnancy, there does not appear to be an increased risk of malignant transformation of these nevi, nor is there an association between changing nevi and melanoma.

Comorbidities and the concomitant use of other drug therapies are factors that need to be taken into account when managing skin cancers in elderly patients, according to the chairman of the department of dermatology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York.

Reducing patients' time to wait is certainly a noble goal and one that you should always strive to achieve. Eliminating wait time, however, is impossible for most dermatology practices. Steps you take to improve the quality of waiting time can do more than reduce frustration; they may turn the experience into a positive impression for patients.

Dr. Buttox travels to Europe to learn about a new botulinum toxin that is popular there. He understands he can't use the product in his office without FDA approval, but his marketing department gets him to discuss the product with the national press. Does the FDA have jurisdiction over Dr. Buttox in this instance, and if so, to what extent?

Believe it or not, even The Wall Street Journal is guilty of offering advice that we believe may be inappropriate for doctors. A June 2010 article advised readers not to take advantage of the opportunity to convert retirement plan assets to Roth IRAs. However, converting all retirement assets to Roth IRAs could give doctors a tax benefit that may never be offered again.

Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) for melanoma is not intended to be a therapeutic procedure, but it provides excellent information for staging the disease, an expert says. However, he says, the use of SLNB in thin melanomas is somewhat controversial.

Dermatologists dedicated to research require thick skin, humility, patience, creativity and effective mentors, an expert says. John R. Stanley, M.D., says researchers must recognize that "we all stand on the shoulders of others." For instance, the first clinical description of pemphigus appeared before 1800, but it took more than a century for the next major advance - establishing a histological definition.

A new cohesive polydensified matrix hyaluronic acid (CPMHA, Belotero Balance, Merz) has outlasted bovine collagen in a 24-week study of nasolabial fold (NLF) correction and performed well in a 1.5-year follow-up study, according to Rhoda S. Narins, M.D., director of the Dermatology Surgery and Laser Center, White Plains, N.Y., clinical professor of dermatology, New York University School of Medicine; and lead author of the study.

Rising melanoma rates among patients of color in portions of the country indicate that dermatologists must tailor specific sun-safety messages for these populations, experts say.

Good communication and negotiating skills are the cornerstones to any productive relationship, including those with patients, office staff and leaders in the cosmetic industry. Understanding the importance of cultivating these skills can help to build a solid foundation for harmonious, long-lasting and fruitful working relationships.

Probiotics are assuming popularity in nutraceuticals, especially for female health. They are found in yogurts and nutritional supplements, such as Align (Bifidobacterium infantis, Procter & Gamble).

Most of us use them or are at least fascinated by them, but do we all know the basics of today's lasers? This month's Light on Lasers column is devoted to the basic laser terms that are critical to understanding, naming and operating any laser or light-based system.

Decubitus ulcers or bedsores can be a serious condition, especially for the elderly patient. But one expert says prevention, treatment and a dermatologist's early involvement offer the best combination for a positive outcome.

Lenore S. Kakita, M.D., learned about perseverence, acceptance, determination and strength during an unlikely time. She was a United States-born Japanese toddler when the fear of "Yellow Peril" gripped the country during World War II. She spent five of the first six years of her life in U.S. relocation camps. Her father, Hajime Uyeyama, M.D., a family practitioner born in Berkeley, Calif., was forced to close his Oakland practice, and he and his family were interned at camps in California, then in Colorado.

The U.S. government is strengthening its crackdown on practitioners who scam federal healthcare programs, with new muscle provided by the 2010 healthcare reform law and a determination to shut down fraudulent or erroneous claims, which exceeded $24 billion in 2009.

There are few things more aggravating than an itch you can't scratch - but for geriatric patients that aggravation can be almost unbearable, as the elderly are often susceptible to a total body itch that has no apparent cause, and therefore no apparent solution. There are a number of potential causes that dermatologists should consider as they try to relieve their patient's itch, an expert says.

Drugmaker Allergan recently agreed to pay $600 million to resolve federal charges that the company improperly marketed Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA) for off-label use. On Call wondered whether dermatologists think that this increased effort in enforcing off-label marketing rules is a good pursuit for the government. Would derms rather they never be allowed to hear about potentially beneficial off-label uses from drug reps?

Choosing the form and structure of one’s medical practice is an important decision. If you want to explore ways to reduce unnecessary taxes without subjecting yourself to double taxation and would like to see how you can do this without having to change any of your insurance provider or Medicare provider numbers, this article is ideal for you.

Noninvasive procedures - specifically, filling agents - are maintaining their popularity with patients, both as independent cosmetic treatments as well as adjuncts to cosmetic surgery, according to plastic surgeons at the 2010 annual meeting of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).

Stay tuned. You might soon see dermatologist Terry Cronin Jr., M.D., on your television sets. The Melbourne, Fla., dermatologist is a part-time filmmaker whose latest project is a television pilot called “Adventure Chefs.” Dr. Cronin stars in and produces the competition-based reality TV cooking show.

A recent study conducted by the Center for Connected Health suggests that text messages are an effective tool for improving patient compliance with treatment and self-care, PRNewswire reports.

Continued heat exposure from a laptop computer’s warm battery may lead to erythema ab igne (EAI) on the thighs, according to a clinical finding by a pediatric dermatologist.

Two studies related to medical student depression and burnout suggest, respectively, that depressed students are more likely to endorse depression stigma attitudes than are nondepressed students, and that students with burnout are more likely than students without burnout to engage in unprofessional conduct, HealthDay News reports.

Solta Medical’s Fraxel re:store Dual laser has received Food and Drug Administration 510(k) clearance for the treatment of actinic keratosis (AKs), PRNewswire reports.

EHRs, Worth the Hassle? : ‘Meaningful use’ criteria can pose high hurdle for derms Allergan Settles : Drugmaker to pay $600 million to resolve off-label marketing charges Special Report : Hair & Nails

Light devices have become popular at-home facial rejuvenation equipment. Why? Because light is felt to be safe in the hands of a consumer, thus these devices are easily marketed and readily obtain Food and Drug Administration 510(k) approvals.

Cloning will represent a major advance in hair transplantation when it is ready for prime time. It remains elusive for now, but new clinical therapies - along with older standbys - are helping hair loss patients in the meantime, according to a leading specialist in hair transplantation.

As the nation - and your patients - struggle with healthcare costs, building patient loyalty will be an important success factor for all dermatology practices. Outside of your own skills as a dermatologist, nothing builds patient loyalty as effectively as knowing how to manage the "moment of truth." The "moment of truth" occurs when a patient has the opportunity to make a snap judgment about the quality of your practice's services.

When patients present with symptoms of redness, pain and swelling around the nail fold on either the fingernails or toenails, the logical diagnosis is paronychia; however, physicians need to know how to identify key distinguishing factors in order to determine precisely which type of paronychia they are dealing with, and effectively treat it.