{"title":"The Frequency of Non-Scarring Alopecia in Autoimmune Connective Tissue Diseases.","authors":"Yahya Argobi","doi":"10.36849/JDD.7750","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.36849/JDD.7750","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Autoimmune connective tissue diseases (ACTDs) are relatively rare systemic diseases featured by immune dysregulation and often have prominent cutaneous manifestations. The most common is systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), dermatomyositis (DM), systemic sclerosis (SSc), Sjogren syndrome (SJO), undifferentiated connective tissue disease (UCTD), and mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD). Alopecia is one of the most common symptoms of these diseases, with significant impact on the quality of life of these patients.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>Our aim is to better characterize non-scarring alopecia in ACTDs.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A retrospective chart review study of patients seen at the Autoimmune Connective Tissue Diseases clinic at Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, was conducted from November 2012 to January 2018. The study was reviewed and approved by Partners IRB.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total number of 1486 visits where 734 were new patients, and 241 patients with ACTDs included in our analysis. Of the new patients, 80% were female and 20% were male, with an average age of 51 years. Of patients with MCTD, 46.6% presented with non-scarring alopecia at their initial evaluation. Of patients with SLE, 36% presented with non-scarring alopecia. Of the 32 patients with SJO, 28% reported diffuse non-scarring alopecia. Of patients with UCTD, 22% presented with diffuse non-scarring alopecia. Only 9.5% of our patients with DM and 9% of our patients with SSc presented with diffuse non-scarring alopecia.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Alopecia is common in all ACTDs and often under evaluated. Treatment of alopecia in ACTDs can be challenging, and oftentimes patients require joint management and work-up. J Drugs Dermatol. 2025;24(3):246-249. doi:10.36849/JDD.7750.</p>","PeriodicalId":15566,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Drugs in Dermatology","volume":"24 3","pages":"246-249"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143567398","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Hilary Baldwin, Helen Bui, Valerie Callender, Cheri Frey, Adelaide Hebert, Edward Ted, Evan Rieder, Todd Schlesinger
{"title":"The Use of Acneceuticals to Improve Acne Care: Introduction of a New Term and Review of the Literature.","authors":"Hilary Baldwin, Helen Bui, Valerie Callender, Cheri Frey, Adelaide Hebert, Edward Ted, Evan Rieder, Todd Schlesinger","doi":"10.36849/JDD.8817","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.36849/JDD.8817","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Acne is a multifactorial inflammatory skin condition that commonly presents to the dermatology clinic. Treatment generally involves the use of pharmaceutical agents and procedural techniques. Recently, the importance of over-the-counter skin care in acne has been recognized in many studies. This paper introduces the term acneceuticals to encompass a wide range of FDA- monographed, yet non-prescription ingredients proven to alter the structure and function of acneic skin.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A panel of 8 dermatologists with an interest in acne and skin care performed a literature review of active skin care in acne. The role of acneceuticals in the treatment of acne - as monotherapy, adjunctive, and maintenance therapy - was evaluated using a modified Delphi approach. Studies were limited to in vivo human trials involving acne. Individual actives were assessed separately.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The quality of evidence was moderate-to-low for many of the ingredients. Most of the actives included in the final assessment had been studied in vehicle-controlled, blinded, often comparative studies but enrolled a small number of subjects. In these studies, the acneceuticals were found to reduce lesion count, reduce sebum production, and improve efficacy of existing pharmacologic therapies.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Acneceuticals have demonstrated benefits in treating acne, alone or in conjunction with established pharmaceutical agents. These data allow us to make quality recommendations for our patients that should be a part of every patient encounter. The recommendations also serve as a guide for patients searching the internet for beneficial self-care products. J Drugs Dermatol. 2025;24(3):281-288. doi:10.36849/JDD.8817.</p>","PeriodicalId":15566,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Drugs in Dermatology","volume":"24 3","pages":"281-288"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143567404","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ginette A Okoye, Helen Bui, Arsema Zadu, Ian A Myles, Angel S Byrd
{"title":"The Multifaceted Effects of Berberine: Potential Uses in Dermatology.","authors":"Ginette A Okoye, Helen Bui, Arsema Zadu, Ian A Myles, Angel S Byrd","doi":"10.36849/JDD.8899","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.36849/JDD.8899","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Berberine is a natural alkaloid found in several plant species and has been utilized in traditional medicine for its antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. Berberine supplements are readily available over-the-counter in the United States. It has recently gained popularity on social media and is increasingly being used as complementary and alternative medicine. Berberine possesses a broad spectrum of pharmacological properties, which may be a result of its potent antioxidant properties and its regulatory effects on the gut microbiome. Acne, atopic dermatitis, pigmentary disorders, hidradenitis suppurativa, psoriasis, and skin aging are complex disorders, often requiring multifaceted treatment strategies. Berberine's broad mechanisms of action make it a promising candidate for the management of these conditions. This review explores the mechanisms of action of berberine and its clinical relevance in the management of dermatologic diseases. J Drugs Dermatol. 2025;24(3):298-301 doi:10.36849/JDD.8899.</p>","PeriodicalId":15566,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Drugs in Dermatology","volume":"24 3","pages":"298-301"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143567400","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"TikTok as a Source of Information for Seborrheic Dermatitis: A Cross-Sectional Analysis.","authors":"Dana Jaalouk, Rama Abdin, Naiem T Issa","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":15566,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Drugs in Dermatology","volume":"24 3","pages":"e14-e15"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143567405","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"INDIVIDUAL ARTICLE: A Clinical Evaluation of Scalp Barrier Function, Ceramide Levels, and Microbiome in Diverse Dandruff Patients.","authors":"Ariana Bitton, Jolanta Idkowiak-Baldys, Amina Bouslimani, Eddy Hsi Chun Wang, Jyotsna Paturi, Ying Chen, Cecile Clavaud, Nada Baalbaki","doi":"10.36849/JDD.32731","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.36849/JDD.32731","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Dandruff is a common chronic scalp condition that affects approximately half the population irrespective of their origin. Dandruff scalps are characterized by flaking skin, pruritus, and minimal visible scalp inflammation. At the biological level, dandruff scalp presents a disruption of the barrier function supported by lower levels of ceramides in the stratum corneum and typically accompanied by altered microbiome diversity, including a higher abundance of Malassezia yeasts and exacerbated sebum peroxidation. This study evaluated the relationship between skin barrier integrity in association with epidermal ceramide profile, microbiome imbalance, and inflammatory markers in pathophysiology of dandruff in an ethnically diverse panel. Our results confirm a significant increase in TEWL and decrease in hydration along with an increase in erythema, dryness, flakiness, and itchiness in patients with dandruff vs normal scalps; and an elevation of IL1RA:IL1α ratio dependent on the severity of the dandruff, supporting the inflammatory association with dandruff. For the first time, a study shows that dandruff scalps have a significantly higher amount of short-chain ceramides and a significantly lower proportion of long-chain ceramides consistent with lower conformational ordering and, thus explaining a higher permeability of the skin contributing to barrier dysfunction. In addition, reduced phytosphingosine and dihydrosphingosine based ceramides (NP, AP, NDS) were also observed, supporting a weakened scalp barrier. In addition to an expected increase in Malassezia, especially Malassezia restricta, in dandruff scalp, an increase in Staphylococcus aureus and decrease in Malassezia globosa was also observed as compared to healthy scalp in the population analyzed. J Drugs Dermatol. 2025;24:3(Suppl 1):s3-14.</p>","PeriodicalId":15566,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Drugs in Dermatology","volume":"24 3","pages":"32731s3-32731s14"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143567374","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Keeping Cool: An Updated Review on Cold-Induced Dermatoses and Cold-Associated Injury.","authors":"Savanna I Vidal, Nikita Menta, Adam Friedman","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":15566,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Drugs in Dermatology","volume":"24 3","pages":"333-334"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143567380","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Victoria Jiminez, Anna Riess, Tiffany Mayo, Boni Elewski
{"title":"Alopecia Universalis: Never Give Up?","authors":"Victoria Jiminez, Anna Riess, Tiffany Mayo, Boni Elewski","doi":"10.36849/JDD.8587","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.36849/JDD.8587","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Oral Janus kinase inhibitors (JAKi) have demonstrated significant promise in hair regrowth for severe alopecia areata. Baricitinib and ritlecitinib are two medications within this class that have been FDA-approved in recent years, with data supporting treatment response over the course of a few months.</p><p><strong>Case presentation: </strong>We present the case of a 28-year-old female with alopecia universalis and a Severity of Alopecia Tool (SALT) of 100%, who failed 1 year of baricitinib therapy and was switched to ritlecitinib. She experienced regrowth of vellus hairs on the scalp and some eyebrow hair after 6 months of therapy and subsequent robust growth of terminal hair after 1 year of ritlecitinib and 2 total years of total JAKi therapy. The patient also had regrowth of the eyelashes, eyebrows, and resolution of nail pitting.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The authors aim to report this case to highlight the success of prolonged JAKi therapy for patients with severe refractory alopecia areata and the success of JAKi therapy after failure of a prior JAKi. Dermatologists should consider longer courses of these medications and switching within the class for patients who experience poor response with initial agents. J Drugs Dermatol. 2025;24(3):316-318. doi:10.36849/JDD.8587.</p>","PeriodicalId":15566,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Drugs in Dermatology","volume":"24 3","pages":"316-318"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143567281","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Daniel Alcalá Pérez, Ana Sofia Acosta Madiedo, Sebastian Andreani, Anneke Andriessen, Hebert Cárdenas, Marcela Moreno, Daniel Motola Kuba, Julia Riganti, José Enrique Ollague, Mario Lacouture, Alejandra Toquica
{"title":"Latin America Cutaneous Oncology Management (LACOM) I: The Role of Skin Care in Oncology Patients and Survivors.","authors":"Daniel Alcalá Pérez, Ana Sofia Acosta Madiedo, Sebastian Andreani, Anneke Andriessen, Hebert Cárdenas, Marcela Moreno, Daniel Motola Kuba, Julia Riganti, José Enrique Ollague, Mario Lacouture, Alejandra Toquica","doi":"10.36849/JDD.8565","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.36849/JDD.8565","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Cancer-treatment-related cutaneous adverse events (cAEs) are common and may severely impact quality of life (QoL) and decrease treatment outcomes. The Latin American Cutaneous Oncology Management (LACOM) project provides clinical insights into cancer-treatment-related cAEs, offering tools for preventing and managing cAEs.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>LACOM I focuses on integrating education, prophylactic measures, and skincare in cancer treatment to improve treatment adherence, outcomes, and patients' and survivors' QoL.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The LACOM panel provides evidence and opinion-based best practice recommendations for oncology skincare programs to support all stakeholders in the Latin American healthcare setting (Argentina, Chili, Colombia, Ecuador, Panama, Peru, and Mexico) working with oncology patients throughout the entire continuum of care to achieve optimal outcomes, improving cancer patients and survivors' QoL. Oncology skincare programs comprise hygiene, moisturization, and sun protection with products that should be safe and help to minimize cAEs and improve skin conditions.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Integrating education, general measures, and skincare programs into cancer treatment should encourage the adoption of a proactive role of skincare from the beginning of treatment and ongoing, supporting optimal outcomes and improving cancer patients' and survivors' QoL. J Drugs Dermatol. 2025;24(3):262-268. doi:10.36849/JDD.8565.</p>","PeriodicalId":15566,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Drugs in Dermatology","volume":"24 3","pages":"262-268"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143567383","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Cleo Whiting, Sara Abdel Azim, Nicolas Joly-Tonetti, Nadège Lachmann, Adam Friedman
{"title":"Effects on the Skin Microbiome by a Moisturizer Formulated for Eczema-Prone and Sensitive Skin.","authors":"Cleo Whiting, Sara Abdel Azim, Nicolas Joly-Tonetti, Nadège Lachmann, Adam Friedman","doi":"10.36849/JDD.8707","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.36849/JDD.8707","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Cutaneous dysbiosis contributes to the pathophysiology of atopic dermatitis and potentially that of sensitive skin; regulation of the bacterial communities through skincare products is an emerging management strategy. Previous studies have highlighted the utility of ingredients that function as prebiotics, are anti-inflammatory, and have barrier-repairing properties to help shift species richness and composition toward more eubiotic states.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In a single-site open-label study, a moisturizer containing colloidal oatmeal, Ophiopogon japonicus root extract (AD-Resyl®, SILAB, France), and a patented filaggrin protein byproduct was evaluated for its effect on the bacterial communities of eczema-prone and sensitive skin (n=12). Skin swab samples from participants' cheeks were collected before and after applying the moisturizer twice daily for 21 days. Measures of alpha diversity (richness, Shannon diversity index) and beta diversity were calculated using paired, comparative analyses of sampled bacterial loads.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Bacterial species richness was significantly increased in 10 participants (P<0.05) without dysbiotic shifts in overall microbial composition.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>These results support the use of a moisturizer containing anti-inflammatory and skin barrier-repairing ingredients for managing atopic dermatitis and add to our knowledge of the skin microbiome in sensitive skin. J Drugs Dermatol. 2025;24(3):275-280. doi:10.36849/JDD.8707.</p>","PeriodicalId":15566,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Drugs in Dermatology","volume":"24 3","pages":"275-280"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143567357","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Raymond Ezzat, Narges Maskan Bermudez, Antonella Tosti
{"title":"Social Media's Impact on Hair Loss Information Dissemination: A Systematic Review.","authors":"Raymond Ezzat, Narges Maskan Bermudez, Antonella Tosti","doi":"10.36849/JDD.7990","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.36849/JDD.7990","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>This systematic study examines the quality of hair loss information disseminated on social media platforms, as well as its potential effects on users' decision-making, emotional states, and societal attitudes toward hair loss.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A thorough search of MEDLINE and PubMed databases was conducted until May 13th, 2023 to identify research into the role of social media in disseminating hair loss knowledge.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The systematic review encompasses 11 studies investigating platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. We discovered significant variations in the quality of hair loss-related information on social media. The DISCERN scores ranged from 1.47 to 2.66, while the percentage of videos/posts created by dermatologists ranged from 0 to 18.9%. While certain reliable content from medical professionals was present, there was an overabundance of personal anecdotes, unproven remedies, and recommendations based on personal experiences. The potential impacts of such information are wide-ranging, potentially influencing user decision-making and societal perceptions. Misinformation and subpar content could also heighten distress and anxiety among individuals seeking hair loss solutions.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This review highlights the need for enhanced content quality on social media platforms. It advocates for greater involvement of medical professionals, stricter adherence to evidence-based information, and the cultivation of critical thinking skills among users.J Drugs Dermatol. 2025;24(3):307-311. doi:10.36849/JDD.7990.</p>","PeriodicalId":15566,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Drugs in Dermatology","volume":"24 3","pages":"307-311"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143567295","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}