Philip R. Cohen, MD
Dr. Cohen is from the Division of Dermatology, University of California San Diego.
Dr. Cohen reports no conflicts of interest in relation to this post.

Professor Cyril Karabus is a 78-year-old pediatric oncologist who has dedicated his life to treating children with malignancy and is widely respected for his expertise and compassion. He was arrested in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on August 18, 2012, while returning to his home in South Africa with his wife and daughter following his son’s wedding in Canada. The flight had stopped at Abu Dhabi International Airport overnight and he was detained by passport control. He was unaware that more than 10 years earlier he had been tried and convicted in absentia for manslaughter and falsifying documents (medical records) after the death of a 3-year-old girl with acute myeloblastic leukemia in 2002 while he was temporarily working in the UAE (Br Med J. 2012;345:e6815)(The Cancer Letter. 2012;38[46]:11).

Anthony M. Rossi, MD

Dr. Rossi is a Fellow in Procedural Dermatology and Mohs Surgery, Memorial Sloan-Kettering and Weill Cornell/New York-Presbyterian Hospital, both in New York, New York.

Dr. Rossi reports no conflicts of interest in relation to this post.

In the April 2013 issue of the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology (2013;12:428-431), Clark et al retrospectively reviewed 115 laser sessions with the 1550-nm erbium-doped fractional nonablative laser (Fraxel Re:Store SR 1550, Solta Medical) in 45 patients with Fitzpatrick skin types IV to VI to assess the rate of postinflammatory hyperpigmentation and the associated laser parameters. The fluence, treatment level, and number of passes were all reviewed, as well as any posttreatment complications (ie, erythema, blistering, edema, bruising, pain) and long-term (1 month) complications (ie, hypopigmentation, hyperpigmentation).

Brooke Walls, DO
Dr. Walls is from Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Largo, Florida.
Dr. Walls reports no conflicts of interest in relation to this post.

One of the challenges of the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) annual meeting is attending all the lectures that spark your interest while trying to attend lectures that offer a variety of topics. Many of the lectures that you want to attend are offered at the same time and there is just no way to attend every lecture that is appealing. The dermatology review 2-day course (C009) is the answer to this problem.

Gary Goldenberg, MD

Dr. Goldenberg is Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York, and Medical Director of the Dermatology Faculty Practice, New York (http://www.goldenbergdermatology.com).

Dr. Goldenberg reports no conflicts of interest in relation to this post.

A study published in the International Journal of Dermatology (2011;50:1075-1082) evaluated skin rejuvenation effects of trichloroacetic acid (TCA) and phenol peels in photoaged hairless mice. Photoaged skin exhibits deep coarse wrinkles, dryness, telangiectasia, skin atrophy, and hyperpigmentation. Three types of chemical peels are currently used: superficial type, penetrates and damages the papillary dermis (TCA 10%–30%); medium type, penetrates and damages the upper reticular dermis (TCA 50%); deep type, penetrates and damages the lower reticular dermis (phenol, Baker-Gordon peel formula). The mechanism by which peels improve photoaged properties of skin is not fully understood. 

Lorraine L. Rosamilia, MD

Dr. Rosamilia is from the Department of Dermatology, Geisinger Health System, State College, Pennsylvania.

Dr. Rosamilia reports no conflicts of interest in relation to this post.

Cancer recently reported dermatologically germane data from the Women’s Health Initiative Observational Study in which a large cohort of postmenopausal white women aged 50 to 79 years were followed by health questionnaire and clinic visits at 40 national sites over 12 years, highlighting risk factors and associations with heart disease, cancer, and fractures. In a subset of nearly 60,000 women in the study, 548 incident melanomas were confirmed, and data regarding skin type, sun exposure, skin cancer history, and medication use were analyzed.

Lorraine L. Rosamilia, MD

Dr. Rosamilia is from the Department of Dermatology, Geisinger Health System, State College, Pennsylvania.

Dr. Rosamilia reports no conflicts of interest in relation to this post.

JAMA Dermatology recently published a case-control study from the University of Pittsburgh wherein 4 smartphone applications (apps) designed to aid consumers in determining if a skin lesion is benign or malignant were put to the test. Digital images taken by dermatologists of 60 melanomas and 128 benign control lesions (prior to skin biopsy and dermatopathologist-determined diagnosis) were uploaded into these consumer apps, and there was a very broad range of diagnostic sensitivity and specificity.

Anthony M. Rossi, MD

Dr. Rossi is a Fellow in Procedural Dermatology and Mohs Surgery, Memorial Sloan-Kettering and Weill Cornell/New York-Presbyterian Hospital, both in New York, New York.

Dr. Rossi reports no conflicts of interest in relation to this post.

The December 2012 issue of Dermatologic Surgery (2012;38:2011-2015) contained a histopathologic case study of 3 patients with facial wrinkles treated with an in-office 88% phenol peel based in a punctuated fashion. The 88% phenol peel was applied in a localized dot manner with a toothpick soaked in phenol solution. The dots were separated by 3 mm along the length of the facial wrinkles. None of the patients were sedated and there was no patient downtime seen. This same procedure also was performed on the preauricular region.

Robert J. Signore, DO

Dr. Signore is in private practice, Tinley Park, Illinois.

Dr. Signore reports no conflicts of interest in relation to this post.

Homeopathic medicine (HM) is one of the most widely used forms of complementary medicine in the world.¹ It is a low-cost nontoxic system of natural healing used by millions of people worldwide.² According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics, US adults spent $2.9 billion out-of-pocket on the purchase of HMs in 2007.³ Homeopathic medicine differs from herbal medicine in that HM does not contain substantial pharmacologic amounts of active substances in commonly used dilutions. Hence HMs do not interact with conventional drugs.¹ Homeopathic medicines are regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration as drugs per the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.⁴ The mechanism of action of HM is unknown.

But the world of medicine revolves around scientific research! Are there any clinical studies to support the use of HM in modern dermatology?

Philip R. Cohen, MD

Dr. Cohen is from the University of Houston Health Center, Texas; the Department of Dermatology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston; and the Department of Dermatology, University of Texas Medical School, Houston.

Dr. Cohen reports no conflicts of interest in relation to this post.

In a succinct paper, Shaw (Int J Dermatol. 2012;51:113-114) outlined not only appropriate clinic etiquette and diagnostic tips but also a humanistic approach to interacting with patients. He commented that patients are often frightened and emotionally fragile about their diagnosis; in addition, they receive a lot of information during the visit with varying needs for supplemental explanation and may not understand the dermatologic vocabulary used by physicians. He also emphasized the physician’s responsibility in helping the patient by being serious and caring.

Gary Goldenberg, MD

Dr. Goldenberg is Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York, and Medical Director of the Dermatology Faculty Practice, New York (http://www.goldenbergdermatology.com).

Dr. Goldenberg reports no conflicts of interest in relation to this post.

A review published in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal (2011;31:95-109) highlighted the use of poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA)(Sculptra Aesthetic, Valeant Aesthetics, a division of Valeant Pharmaceuticals North America) for nonsurgical rejuvenation of the aging face and restoration of facial volume. The nonsurgical, or liquid, facelift has become increasingly popular and use of PLLA is one of the cornerstones of this procedure.