{"title":"Challenges of Treating Recurrent Merkel Cell Carcinoma in the Rural US: A Case Report.","authors":"Chantel K Hillestad","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>An 80-year-old White male individual presented with a rapidly growing lesion on his left forearm that had been increasing in size for the past 2 months. The patient resides in a northern rural state with limited access to dermatology care. The shave biopsy performed indicated Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC). The patient was referred to oncology and surgical oncology. The patient underwent a wide local excision, then adjuvant immunotherapy with pembrolizumab. The patient presented 2 years later with a rapidly growing lesion on the left forearm in the location of the prior surgical scar, and this was found to be recurrent MCC. Two months later, a new lesion developed approximately 7 cm from the most recent surgical incision; this was also found to be MCC. MCC is a rare form of skin cancer that is the most fatal, is more invasive than other types of skin cancer, and has a high rate of mortality. Diagnosis is confirmed by biopsy. Currently, no screening tests are in place regarding MCC or recurrent MCC. Treatment often involves wide local surgical excision and radiation therapy. Adjuvant immunotherapy and targeted therapies are promising treatment options and are continuing to evolve. Patients diagnosed with MCC in rural areas have been found to have decreased life expectancy compared to urban patients. Rural patients often encounter extraneous challenges involving travel, limited access to care, and financial hardship compared to urban patients. Treating rural patients can pose challenges to the clinician involving access to care barriers, nonadherence, patient inducement, and adhering to clinical guidelines to achieve the best outcome.</p>","PeriodicalId":53616,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology","volume":"19 3-4 Suppl 1","pages":"S12-S18"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13229156/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148159196","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Joshua Burshtein, Sara Nahon, Diego Ruiz Dasilva, Graham Litchman
{"title":"Expanding the Topical Therapeutic Landscape for Atopic Dermatitis: A Systematic Review.","authors":"Joshua Burshtein, Sara Nahon, Diego Ruiz Dasilva, Graham Litchman","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common chronic inflammatory disease. Despite its global prevalence, the current standard of care has remained unchanged for many years. Historically, first-line agents include topical corticosteroids (TCS) and topical calcineurin inhibitors (TCIs). However, these agents have significant limitations, including local and systemic adverse effects. In the last several years, novel topical therapeutic agents have been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and more are being developed.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>The present review aims to summarize these topical therapeutic advances and report their efficacy and safety relative to the existing armamentarium.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Three searches were conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Methods Guide for Effectiveness and Comparative Effectiveness Reviews guidelines. These included electronic searches of FDALabel (without date restriction) and PubMed and ClinicalTrials.gov (between April 8, 2020 and April 8, 2025).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 52 nongeneric, prescription topical therapeutic agents are currently approved by the FDA for AD, the majority of which are TCS (n=11; 52.4%) and TCIs (n=4; 19.0%). There have been several agents with novel mechanisms of action (n=3; 7.6%) approved by the FDA in recent years, including Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors, nonsteroidal aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) modulators, and phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) inhibitors.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>In the last 5 years, important innovations in the therapeutic landscape of AD have emerged. Treatments include novel JAK inhibitors, AhR modulators, and PDE4 inhibitors. Adopting these therapies as part of clinical care can improve patients' therapeutic outcomes and quality of life.</p>","PeriodicalId":53616,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology","volume":"19 3","pages":"20-30"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13102156/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147789218","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Exploring the Advancements and Applications of AI-Powered Hair Analysis Tools.","authors":"Tahreem Nawaz, Greg Williams, Jane Yoo","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>We aim to evaluate a subset of artificial intelligence (AI)-powered hair analysis tools and their role in improving diagnostic accuracy, treatment planning, and personalized care in trichology and professional hair care.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional review was conducted using publicly accessible sources, including Google Scholar, company websites, and industry reports. Tools were selected based on professional use, incorporation of AI, and availability of measurable outcomes such as hair density evaluation and treatment monitoring. Devices were categorized by primary function: diagnostic systems, product recommendation platforms, growth monitoring technologies, and surgical planning applications.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Ten AI-driven tools were evaluated, each using machine learning or computer vision to assess parameters such as follicle density, scalp condition, and hair thickness. Diagnostic tools provided noninvasive trichoscopic analysis; others enabled personalized product suggestions, tracked treatment outcomes, or supported surgical planning. These technologies automate traditional methods and deliver objective, data-rich insights that can enhance clinical decision-making and user engagement.</p><p><strong>Limitations: </strong>Findings are limited by the scarcity of peer-reviewed validation and reliance on manufacturer-provided data. Many tools lacked comprehensive public documentation, and dataset diversity used in model training was often unspecified, raising concerns about potential algorithmic bias and reduced generalizability.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>AI-powered hair analysis tools offer transformative potential in trichology by increasing diagnostic precision and enabling tailored treatment strategies. Their broader adoption will require addressing limitations in accessibility, ethical considerations, and dataset inclusivity to ensure equitable and reliable integration into dermatologic and cosmetic practice.</p>","PeriodicalId":53616,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology","volume":"19 2","pages":"58-62"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13016444/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147522779","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Miguel A Aristizabal-Torres, Misty M Hobbs, Thais Pincelli, Olayemi Sokumbi, Alison J Bruce
{"title":"Management of Multiple Miliary Osteoma Cutis Using CO<sub>2</sub> Laser: A Case-Based Exploration.","authors":"Miguel A Aristizabal-Torres, Misty M Hobbs, Thais Pincelli, Olayemi Sokumbi, Alison J Bruce","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Miliary osteoma cutis is an underreported condition that typically presents with firm papules on the face, although involvement of other areas has been described. It commonly presents in middle-aged women with fair skin. Treatment options for this condition are limited. We describe two patients with miliary osteoma cutis, detailing the treatment strategies used, including the successful use of carbon dioxide laser-assisted extraction.</p>","PeriodicalId":53616,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology","volume":"19 2","pages":"10-14"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13016446/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147522691","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Feeding the Skin? Foods in Personal Care Products and the Risk of Allergy.","authors":"Mara O'Connor, Peter Lio","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The interrupted skin barrier seen in atopic dermatitis (AD) increases exposure to environmental antigens including those in food, which contributes to the increased prevalence of food allergies in the AD population. This relationship is further explored in the dual allergen exposure hypothesis, which examines the differences in immune system response between cutaneous and oral exposures. It was previously thought that avoiding early oral exposure would decrease the likelihood of developing food allergy; however, several studies have demonstrated that earlier oral exposure increases tolerance. On the other hand, exposure to food antigens through the skin activates the helper T-cell 2 pathway, which promotes development of allergy. There have also been several studies demonstrating that aggressive treatment of AD decreases the risk of developing food allergies. Based on these findings, there is concern that inclusion of food-based ingredients in personal care products, such as moisturizers that act as main components of AD treatment regimens, may increase the likelihood of developing allergies to the included foods. However, there are many commonly used food-based ingredients that have low rates of allergy, which raises the question of why some antigens are more likely to result in allergic sensitization while many others remain benign.</p>","PeriodicalId":53616,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology","volume":"19 2","pages":"43-46"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13016447/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147522774","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Clearance of Cutaneous Lichen Planus with Deucravacitinib.","authors":"Kyle Machynia, Jason E Hawkes","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Lichen planus (LP) is an idiopathic, immune-mediated inflammatory disorder commonly characterized by pruritic, violaceous papules and plaques that often involve the extremities. Although a variety of topical and systemic therapies are used, no targeted treatments are currently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for this indication, and management of refractory disease remains challenging. Tyrosine kinase 2 (TYK2) inhibitors selectively modulate several cytokine signaling pathways, including interleukin (IL)-12, IL-23/IL-17, and type I interferon signaling, which are implicated in the pathogenesis of LP. Here, we report a case of biopsy-confirmed, treatment-refractory, cutaneous LP that achieved near-complete resolution after 2 months of therapy with the oral TYK2 inhibitor, deucravacitinib.</p>","PeriodicalId":53616,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology","volume":"19 2","pages":"47-49"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13016445/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147522789","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Mark S Nestor, Aysham Chaudry, Robert J Vanaria, Wilhelmina Lam, Alexandra Devries, Alec Lawson
{"title":"Safety and Efficacy of Aminolevulinic Acid Hydrochloride Topical Gel, 10%, with Red Light in the Treatment of Facial Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma In Situ.","authors":"Mark S Nestor, Aysham Chaudry, Robert J Vanaria, Wilhelmina Lam, Alexandra Devries, Alec Lawson","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma in situ (isSCC) is a common skin cancer often arising on the face. Standard care involves excision or destruction, but less invasive therapies are becoming increasingly explored. Aminolevulinic acid photodynamic therapy (ALA-PDT) with red light has shown potential for treating isSCC. This study assesses the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of ALA-PDT with red light for facial isSCC.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Twenty patients with biopsy-confirmed facial isSCC (0.4-1.3cm) were treated. Lesions were prepared with a 4×4 gauze, followed by application of ALA gel 10% with 3-hour incubation. Red light therapy (13 minutes and 30 seconds; 37J/cm²) was then administered. Patients received two sessions 28±3 days apart. Eight weeks after the second treatment, lesions were excised for histopathologic analysis. The primary endpoint was complete histologic clearance, with clinical clearance as a secondary endpoint. Safety was evaluated through adverse events (AEs), local skin reactions (LSRs), and treatment-site pain.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>All 20 patients completed the study. Complete histologic clearance was achieved, and complete clinical clearance was observed in 100% (20 of 20) patients. No treatment-related AEs occurred. One unrelated case of contact dermatitis was reported. The most common LSR was moderate erythema, peaking after treatment and resolving over time. Mild scaling was also observed with similar resolution. Median posttreatment pain scores were 0 (range: 0-3) after ALA application and 3.5 (range: 0-10) after red light therapy.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>ALA-PDT with 10% gel and red light demonstrated excellent efficacy, safety, and tolerability, supporting its role as a promising noninvasive treatment for facial isSCC.</p>","PeriodicalId":53616,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology","volume":"19 2","pages":"50-54"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13016443/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147522754","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Zane Sejdiu, Romina Garakani, Stephen Ansah-Addo, Kelly McCoy, Farhaan Hafeez, Andrew C Krakowski
{"title":"Isolated Hand Involvement as the Presenting Sign of Dermatitis Herpetiformis.","authors":"Zane Sejdiu, Romina Garakani, Stephen Ansah-Addo, Kelly McCoy, Farhaan Hafeez, Andrew C Krakowski","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Dermatitis herpetiformis (DH) is an autoimmune blistering disease associated with celiac disease, classically presenting as intensely pruritic erythematous vesicles and papules on the elbows, knees, buttocks, and scalp. Involvement of the dorsal hands is extremely rare, complicating diagnosis. We report a unique case of DH confined solely to the dorsal hands in a 68-year-old woman with a five-year history of recurrent, pruritic vesicles initially misdiagnosed as hand eczema. Direct immunofluorescence confirmed the diagnosis of DH with granular immunoglobulin (Ig) A deposition along the dermo-epidermal junction, and serologic testing revealed elevated tissue transglutaminase IgA. This case highlights an uncommon presentation of DH and emphasizes the need to consider it in chronic, unexplained dorsal hand eruptions to prevent misdiagnosis and delayed treatment.</p>","PeriodicalId":53616,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology","volume":"19 2","pages":"55-57"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13016442/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147521871","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Joshua K Morales, Jennifer Keelin, Toan N Vu, Sabrina C Camacho, Selene M Kizy, Sarah Kazemeini, Rebecca Metellus, Naif Hebo, David G Cotter
{"title":"The Therapeutic Potential of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists in Psoriasis and Hidradenitis Suppurativa.","authors":"Joshua K Morales, Jennifer Keelin, Toan N Vu, Sabrina C Camacho, Selene M Kizy, Sarah Kazemeini, Rebecca Metellus, Naif Hebo, David G Cotter","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs), commonly prescribed for type 2 diabetes and obesity, have demonstrated potential anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects that may be beneficial in chronic inflammatory skin conditions such as psoriasis and hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). A systematic review of the literature was conducted, focusing on prospective studies, case reports, and systematic reviews that evaluated the impact of GLP-1 RAs on these diseases. In psoriasis, GLP-1 RAs, particularly liraglutide, have been associated with improvements in the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), especially among patients with T2D. Reported benefits include enhanced glycemic control, weight reduction, and decreased levels of inflammatory markers, suggesting that GLP-1 RAs may modulate immune pathways and proinflammatory cytokine activity involved in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. Similarly, in HS, GLP-1 RAs such as liraglutide and semaglutide have shown promising results, including decreased lesion severity, improved quality of life, and reduced systemic inflammation. Weight loss induced by these agents may also contribute to symptom improvement by reducing mechanical stress in intertriginous areas and mitigating inflammatory responses associated with HS. Although preliminary evidence suggests that GLP-1 RAs may play a role in managing psoriasis and HS through both metabolic and immunologic mechanisms, current data are limited to early-phase studies and case reports. Further large-scale randomized controlled trials, some of which are ongoing, with diverse study populations are necessary to better understand their efficacy, safety, and long-term impact in the treatment of these chronic inflammatory skin conditions.</p>","PeriodicalId":53616,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology","volume":"19 2","pages":"26-32"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13016449/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147522752","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Gabriella Resnick, Megan Khajeh-Afzaly, Faraz Yousefian, Abbas Raza, Naiem T Issa
{"title":"Insights into Tanning Biology and Tanning Products.","authors":"Gabriella Resnick, Megan Khajeh-Afzaly, Faraz Yousefian, Abbas Raza, Naiem T Issa","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>This systematic review aims to critically assess the literature on the mechanisms of action, clinical uses, formulation strategies, and adverse effects of self-tanning agents, with a focus on dihydroxyacetone (DHA), melanotan, forskolin, and carotenoids.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A systematic literature review was conducted following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Studies were screened for relevance to the mechanisms of action, clinical applications, chemical formulations, or adverse effects of self-tanning molecules. A total of 68 peer-reviewed studies were included.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>DHA induces pigmentation via the Maillard reaction and has demonstrated additional dermatologic applications, including use in vitiligo and erythropoietic protoporphyria and as a potential topical antifungal. Concerns persist about DHA-related cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, and systemic absorption. Unregulated melanotan I and II use has caused serious adverse effects, including rhabdomyolysis, renal infarction, and priapism. While forskolin stimulates melanin production independently of melanocortin receptors and has demonstrated efficacy in animal models, carotenoids, when ingested orally, accumulate in skin and subcutaneous fat, creating a yellow-orange hue. Both agents remain underresearched in human populations.</p><p><strong>Limitations: </strong>Limitations include lack of standardized reporting across included studies, variability in study outcomes, and limited long-term safety data.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Sunless tanning agents offer UV-free alternatives for cosmetic pigmentation but are not without risk. While DHA and melanotan remain the dominant agents in current use, forskolin and carotenoids offer alternative pathways for pigmentation and photoprotection. Further clinical studies are necessary to evaluate long-term safety, efficacy across skin types, and formulation optimization. Regulatory frameworks and dermatologic guidance must evolve to reflect the expanding landscape of sunless tanning modalities.</p>","PeriodicalId":53616,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology","volume":"19 2","pages":"33-42"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13016451/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147521910","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}