News

On Call talked to dermatologists across the country and asked them to explain when they believe Mohs surgery is appropriate, whether they consider the surgery overused, and whether they've run into issues with reimbursement.

Shortly after I was invited to join the editorial board at Dermatology Times almost two years ago, I began collecting quotes to share with readers. Some are entertaining, some are inspiring. I heard some straight from the original source - often fellow dermatologists speaking publicly.

The Senate on March 2 voted again to delay the 21.2 rate cut caused by the sustainable growth rate formula, delaying it to April 1. The extension should allow lawmakers to pass yet a third extension, this one reportedly slated for seven months, to give Congress more time to come up with a better solution.

Pediatric dermatologists are taking a very slow - but hopeful - approach to using propranolol to treat hemangiomas in children. In doing so, they are also carefully monitoring children for possible unwanted reactions such as hypotension, bradycardia and hypoglycemia.

National report - The 7.3 earthquake that decimated Haiti's capital of Port-au-Prince in January also leveled sites where U.S. dermatologists have been focusing training and aid efforts since 2003, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD).

Scottsdale, Ariz. - Medicis, based here, has begun shipping dermal fillers Restylane-L and Perlane-L (both hyaluronic acid/lidocaine), GlobeNewswire reports.

Bridgewater, N.J. - Recently released results of a new study suggest that treatment with Sculptra Aesthetic (poly-L-lactic acid, Sanofi-Aventis) is significantly more effective than the human-derived collagen treatment CosmoPlast (Allergan) in correcting shallow to deep nasolabial folds, PR Newswire reports.

Wellington, New Zealand - The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted 510(k) clearance for Endoform Dermal Template, an extracellular matrix biomaterial manufactured by New Zealand regenerative medicine company Mesynthes.

Exeter, N.H. - Seacoast Pathology, based here, has launched its new DermDX division, which features a state-of-the-art on-site laboratory to service New England-area dermatologists and their patients.

Wayland, Mass. - Candela Corp., a Syneron company based here, announced Feb. 10 that China's State Food and Drug Administration (SFDA) has approved Candela's Alex TriVantage multi-wavelength laser system and the GentleMax multiple wavelength workstation for sale throughout the People's Republic of China.

What's Your Score? : Online physician rankings can boost, harm a practice Talking Tough : FDA warns dermatologist about ‘premature’ comments on Dysport Special Report : Advances in Cosmeceuticals

Winston-Salem, N.C. - For Wake Forest University's dermatology residency program, DrScore.com provides patient feedback that program officials hope creates better dermatologists, says Steven R. Feldman, M.D., Ph.D., professor of dermatology, pathology and public health, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, and founder of DrScore.com.

Norman, Okla. - Dermatologist Joel Holloway, M.D., is accustomed to relying on his training as a pharmacist to come up with treatment solutions for his patients' skin conditions.

Dermatologic surgery patients who have some form of cardiovascular (CV) disease or components of metabolic syndrome may be at a higher risk for perioperative complications. Therefore, a careful screening of risk factors in all patients prior to their surgical procedures is warranted in order to help avoid unwanted adverse events and ensure the highest standard of care.

The feds are turning up the heat on the tanning bed industry, with two major regulatory agencies and Congress getting into the act. Late last year, senators developing healthcare legislation dropped a proposed tax on cosmetic surgery and substituted a 10 percent tax on indoor tanning services.

I had two pretty amazing experiences during the month of January that provided me an enormous amount of pleasure and happiness. Both experiences dealt with what I believe is the amazing new generation of dermatologists that will carry our specialty into the future.

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) can be treated in a less-invasive manner than surgery via a skin patch that delivers radiotherapy, according to research from India.

The use of bioelectric stimulation is key to a novel wound-healing technology that continues to be explored in studies, says a dermatologist who has investigated the clinical technology.

Periorbital rejuvenation remains an important element of aesthetic medicine. In the past, eyelid rejuvenation often required a long period of downtime, accompanied by some substantial risk. But that's not necessarily the case anymore.

The new decade started out to be challenging, frustrating and concerning for everyone. Whatever the future brings, it is evident that physicians who want to remain profitable and avoid decreases in their practice revenues must be proactive.

Cosmeceuticals carry the promising suggestion of providing cosmetic treatments with active ingredients that give them pharmaceutical-like efficacy to address skin aging and skin problems. Dermatologists are faced with the unique challenge of wading through these claims.

The Food and Drug Administration's rebuke of Florida dermatologist Leslie S. Baumann, M.D., for promoting a then-unapproved drug serves as a warning for clinical investigators to speak carefully in public forums, dermatologists say.

Established in 1985, the so-called "ABCD" criteria (assymetry, border, color and diameter) were designed to help laypersons and physicians evaluate suspicious cutaneous lesions and, possibly, make an early diagnosis of potentially curable melanoma. Currently, there is a grassroots move in dermatology to change the "D" criterion from "diameter" to "dark."

Dermatologists welcome the FTC's recent crackdown on what the agency labels deceptive advertising by the Indoor Tanning Association (ITA). The ITA, meanwhile, says a recent settlement with the federal regulatory agency will allow the industry to continue to have a "meaningful voice" in the debate over the health benefits and risks of tanning.

Dr. Skin is given basic privileges in dermatology, but is told that nobody in the department of medicine is comfortable providing her with surgical privileges. She subsequently applies for the same privileges under the department of surgery. Her request - reviewed by three general surgeons and two plastic surgeons in their monthly peer review meeting - is turned down.

As trusted skincare experts, dermatologists owe it to patients to know about cosmeceuticals, says Wendy E. Roberts, M.D., Women's Dermatologic Society president.

There's nothing more frustrating to patients and staff than a dermatologist who constantly runs behind. Running behind is a vicious cycle; until you root out its causes and take action, everyone - including you - will be miserable.

She stands alone as having made her mark in dermatology. But the way E. Dorinda Shelley, M.D., tells it, hers is a story of a partnership with her beloved late husband, an icon in dermatology, Walter B. Shelley, M.D., Ph.D.

While scarless surgery remains a dream for dermatologic and cosmetic surgeons, the next best thing - minimal scarring - is becoming more of a reality than ever.

A variety of products are advertised both on television and in print that claim to reduce under-eye circles. It is hard to generalize, but under-eye circles are remarkably resistent to treatment.