SBS 2025: Complete Conference Recap

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Michael Gold, MD, on the Energy, Excitement, and Innovation of South Beach Symposium

The South Beach Symposium (SBS) is more than just a dermatology conference—it's a legacy meeting that continues to set the standard for education and innovation in the field, according to Michael Gold, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Nashville, Tennessee.

In a recent conversation with Dermatology Times, Gold shared his enthusiasm for the annual event, which has long been a highlight for dermatologists looking to stay at the forefront of the specialty.

Glynis Ablon, MD, on Getting Involved in Clinical Trials

During her talk at SBS 2025, Ablon covered all aspects of clinical trials, including creating a budget, recruiting patients, and analyzing results.

“When you get involved in clinical trials, there are many different aspects that make it a big deal to your own practice,” Ablon said in an interview with Dermatology Times. “Research is at the forefront of new discoveries in drugs and technologies. Running these clinical trials can really provide many of your patient who are difficult or non-responsive to other procedures or treatments these novel therapies, novel treatments, that can actually work for them.”

Ablon noted that, although helpful for non-responsive or difficult cases, being involved in clinical trials is also a great experience for clinicians.

Beyond Topicals: Surgical Solutions for Vitiligo

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.

Tips and Tricks for Successful Practice Management with Leon Kircik, MD

Leon Kircik, MD, clinical professor of dermatology at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City and Indiana University School of Medicine, shared his perspectives on optimizing patient care and managing a successful dermatology practice. With extensive experience in both academia and private practice, Kircik provided valuable insights into time management, practice efficiency, and the integration of clinical trials into medical practice during an interview with Dermatology Times.

The Future of Body Contouring: Insights from David Goldberg, MD, JD

David Goldberg, MD, JD, provided a comprehensive overview of body contouring technologies, emphasizing the evolving landscape of aesthetic medicine and the role of various devices in clinical practice. His discussion centered on selecting the appropriate technology, market trends, and the impact of non-invasive procedures.

What’s Next for Topical JAK Inhibitors?

Matthew Zirwas, MD, a board-certified dermatologist specializing in atopic dermatitis discussed advancements in topical Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors, particularly ruxolitinib (Opzelura; Incyte), in a recent interview with Dermatology Times. With extensive experience conducting trials on topical JAK inhibitors, Zirwas highlights key aspects of ruxolitinib’s effectiveness, long-term benefits, pediatric applications, and upcoming developments in the field.

Naiem Issa, MD, PhD, FAAD, Discusses Holistic Hair Loss Treatments at SBS 2025

Issa stated, "Medical and interventional therapies don't have to be mutually exclusive. I always look at them as in tandem, because certain people want certain things." He explained that the approach should focus on both stimulating hair growth and maintaining scalp health. According to Issa, every patient’s needs and preferences vary, and treatment plans should be personalized to accommodate those differences. Options range from medical therapies to procedural interventions such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy, stem cell therapy, and hair transplants.

Nutraceuticals: A Boost for Skin Health

At SBS 2025, Glynis Ablon, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Manhattan Beach, California, and an associate clinical professor at UCLA, gave a talk titled, “Nutraceuticals, Supplements, and More.” During the presentation, Ablon emphasized the critical role of nutrition in dermatology and urged clinicians to have these conversations with their patients. Speaking from her experience at the Ablon Skin Institute and Research Center, she highlighted how diet and nutraceuticals can significantly impact skin and hair health.

Chilukuri’s Approach to Safer Aesthetic Treatments

Board-certified dermatologist Suneel Chilukuri, MD, FAAD, FACMS, discussed strategies for preventing complications in minimally invasive dermatological procedures, particularly energy-based devices and injectable treatments. He emphasized the importance of recognizing patients' predisposition to hyperpigmentation and employing pre-treatment protocols to minimize risks.

Exploring Acne Interventions and the Future of Exosomes in Dermatology

Exosomes have emerged as a promising component in the field of regenerative medicine. Michael Gold, MD, introduced exosomes as extracellular vesicles that play crucial roles in cell-to-cell communication. He explained, "Exosomes are part of the world of what we call regenerative medicine, and the exosomes are gaining popularity every day."

Four Key Factors When Buying Dermatology Devices

Following his discussion and demonstration at the 2025 South Beach Symposium, Suneel Chilukuri, MD, a board-certified dermatologist from Houston, Texas, shared insights with Dermatology Times on non-CME devices and innovations. He addressed distinctions between FDA-cleared and FDA-approved devices, emphasizing the importance of safety and efficacy in clinical practice.

Balancing Steroid and Non-Steroid Treatments

A prevalent concern among both patients and clinicians is the belief that steroids are inherently harmful. Lio emphasized that while caution is necessary, these medications remain an essential component of dermatologic care. "I think one of the biggest misconceptions is that steroids are the enemy, and we feel pretty confident in saying that they are not," he explained. "They can be used safely. They are very, very accessible for patients. They're very reliable. They help almost everybody." However, he stressed the importance of responsible usage, advising practitioners to "use them sparingly and in a targeted fashion."

Efficient Screening for Psoriatic Arthritis

At the 2025 South Beach Symposium, 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.

How Emerging Therapies Are Changing the AD Treatment Landscape

In a recent interview with Dermatology Times, Emma Guttman, MD, PhD, discussed biologics for atopic dermatitis (AD), the focus of her presentation at the 2025 South Beach Symposium. As the chair of the department of dermatology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City, Guttman shared valuable insights on new and upcoming therapies for the condition, as well as patient best practices. Guttman and her team at Icahn see roughly two thirds of dermatology patients in the city of New York and has become1 of the 3 largest departments in the United States.

Updates in Clinical Study of Patients of Color

One of the key challenges in dermatologic clinical trials is the lack of trust between clinicians and patients, particularly among individuals from diverse backgrounds. Mona Shahriari, MD, FAAD, 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.

Advancing Acne Care: New Therapies and Technologies

Christopher Bunick, MD, PhD, associate professor of dermatology and translational biomedicine at Yale School of Medicine, recently discussed advancements in acne and rosacea treatments during an interview with Dermatology Times at the 2025 South Beach Symposium in Miami, Florida. As the medical chair of the symposium’s curriculum, Bunick provided insights into innovative therapeutic approaches for inflammatory skin conditions.

PsA Management: Psoriasis Beyond Skin Symptoms

Kircik highlighted the significance of asking simple yet effective questions to identify potential joint involvement in psoriasis patients. "It takes less than a minute to ask the patient, do you have difficulty getting out of the car while you drive an hour or two?Do you have difficulty getting out of bed in the morning?" he explained. He says these questions can serve as an entry point to educating patients about the systemic nature of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.