Category

Medical Dermatology

Acne Awareness Month: Therapeutic Cheat Sheets

By Medical Dermatology

acne treatment cheat sheets

June is Acne Awareness Month. Stay up-to-date on treatment options for acne with Next Steps in Derm’s Therapeutic Cheat Sheets.

Reviewed by Adam Friedman, MD, these cheat sheets provide information on mechanism of action, dosing, side effects, monitoring, use in pregnancy, and more.

Acne Therapeutic Cheat Sheets

Azelaic Acid Therapeutic Cheat Sheet

Clascoterone Cream Therapeutic Cheat Sheet

Isotretinoin Therapeutic Cheat Sheet

Trifarotene for Acne Vulgaris Therapeutic Cheat Sheet

Improve your treatment decision-making by downloading these cheat sheets today!

Be sure to register for ODAC 2026 for the latest in treating acne.

Current Challenges & Knowledge Gaps in Treating Vitiligo

By Medical Dermatology

vitiligo treatment

June is Vitiligo Awareness Month. Understanding the current challenges and knowledge gaps in treating vitiligo was one of the topics addressed at ODAC’s sister conference, the Pigmentary Disorders Exchange Symposium.

In a video interview with Next Steps in Derm, vitiligo expert John Harris, MD, PhD, explains how these knowledge gaps impact a patient’s experience, including treatment expectations. Watch and find out why encouragement, persistence, and patience are three keys to treating this pigmentary disorder.

Register for ODAC 2026 and learn the latest in treating vitiligo and other pigmentary conditions.

Now Live: ODAC Board Review Sessions on Dermatology In-Review

By Medical Dermatology

Board Review Workshop Sessions

Cramming for the boards? We’ve got you covered. You can now watch the ODAC Dermatology Conference Board Review Workshop Sessions on-demand on the Dermatology In-Review website.

Curated by experts and tailored to align with the high-yield topics you need to know, these workshops are an incredible resource to help you master the exam content and boost your confidence.

Why You Should Watch the Workshops:

    1. Comprehensive, high-yield board review topics
    2. Expert-led sessions focusing on key exam areas
    3. Convenient, on-demand access whenever you need it

Log in to Dermatology In-Review and take advantage of the ODAC Board Review Workshop Sessions today!

👉 Access the sessions HERE

    1. Log in to your Derm In-Review account.
    2. Navigate to your Dashboard.
    3. Look for the 2025 ODAC Board Review Workshop on the Study Tools menu.

Happy studying and best of luck on the boards!

P.S.: Have some time before your exam? Register for the 2026 ODAC Conference and attend in person!

Atopic Dermatitis at ODAC with Shawn Kwatra, MD

By Medical Dermatology, ODAC Sessions

ODAC dermatology atopic dermatitis shawn kwatra

At the ODAC 2025 conference, Dr. Shawn Kwatra, Professor and Chair of Dermatology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and a leading figure in chronic inflammatory skin diseases, delivered a compelling presentation on atopic dermatitis (AD). Dr. Kwatra provided an overview of current AD treatment options, along with valuable insights into the latest advancements emerging in the field of dermatology.

Attend ODAC 2026 for atopic dermatitis updates like this and more.  Click here for the full article and more ODAC derm coverage.

 

Emerging Therapies in Psoriasis: Highlights from ODAC Dermatology Conference 2025

By Medical Dermatology, ODAC Sessions

Psoriasis CME Psoriasis Conference

At the 2025 ODAC Dermatology Conference, Dr. Anthony Fernandez, MD, PhD, delivered an insightful presentation on Advances in Psoriasis Treatment: Emerging Therapies and Future Directions.

Despite the abundance of systemic medicines to treat psoriasis, ongoing research provides hope for even better outcomes for patients with psoriasis in the future.

In his session, Dr. Fernandez reviewed the evolution of systemic psoriasis treatments with 14 agents approved since 2004 including 12 biologics and two small molecule inhibitors. He also discussed promising advancements that could reshape the treatment landscape.

Highlights include:

  • Oral cytokine inhibitors such as DC806, DC853, and icotrokinra, all demonstrating encouraging efficacy in early-phase clinical trials.
  • Nanobody therapies, including sonelokimab, showing superior skin penetration and robust PASI responses in phase 2 trials.
  • A novel treatment concept known as “knockout therapy”, explored in the KNOCKOUT study by Dr. Andy Blauvelt, using high-dose IL-23 inhibitors to potentially induce long-term remission or even disease modification.
  • The potential future role of CAR T-cell therapy in psoriasis, based on early success in other immune-mediated diseases.

Despite existing therapeutic options, the field of psoriasis treatment continues to evolve rapidly. These emerging therapies offer hope for longer-lasting remission and more targeted, effective care.

This session summary was written by Dr. Kala Hurst and published on Next Steps in Derm. Register for ODAC 2026 for more psoriasis updates.

 

ODAC 2021 Pre-Conference Sneak Peek Inflammatory Diseases Symposium

By Medical Dermatology, ODAC Sessions No Comments
Free sneak peek! Pre-registration required.
Free ODAC Sneak Peek on Inflammatory Diseases
Thursday, December 3rd, 2020 | 5:00 – 7:05 PM ET
Join us for a free sneak peek of the 2021 ODAC Dermatology, Aesthetic & Surgical Conference! Our elite, world renowned faculty will present the Inflammatory Diseases Symposium featuring topics such as acne, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, hidradenitis suppurativa, rosacea and more! Registration for the sneak peek is complimentary. Limited seats available, register today.
_______________________________________________________
Innovative Insights Into and Implications of Inflammatory Insults of the Integuments
What better way to lessen the blow of a global pandemic then with an aggressive alliteration? Well if that’s not your cup of caffeine, certainly the incredible evidenced based and interactive pre-ODAC symposium on common inflammatory skin diseases with national experts will turn that melancholy into a good ol’educational jolly. Arm yourself with both the latest evidence and unique anecdotal experience of our experts. What’s new and how to do? That’s why we pulled together this faculty crew.
Symposium Moderator
Adam Friedman, MD
Acne: Changing Practices in a Changing Clinical Landscape
Jenna Lester, MD
NPF-AAD Psoriasis Management Guidelines: What you need to know
Abby Van Voorhees, MD
Atopic Dermatitis Update 2021
Adam Friedman, MD
Treatment of Hidradenitis Suppurativa in 2021 and Beyond 
Joslyn Kirby, MD
Treating Rosacea in 2021   
Julie Harper, MD
Live Q&A 

Skin Microbiome and Acne: Connecting the Dots

By Medical Dermatology, Patient Care No Comments
skin microbiome

When we think about skin, a few things come to mind: protection, temperature regulation, sensation. However, there is growing interest in the microbiome of the skin. Our skin flora can be likened to an invisible ecosystem. Similar to fingerprints, it is unique to each individual. The complexity of the skin microbiome is continuing to be researched. This research is paving the way to improve our understanding of the relationship between acne and dysbiosis.

At the GW Virtual Appraisal of Advances in Acne Conference, Dr. Adam Friedman discussed Microbiome Manipulation in the Management of Acne. His lecture provided insight on the microenvironment of the skin and how the diversity in skin flora can affect disease processes such as acne.

First, let me share a few pearls from Dr. Friedman’s lecture.

The skin is a physical barrier against invasion by pathogenic organisms and foreign substances. The skin is also an ecosystem, host to a variety of microorganisms that are typically harmless.

The habitat of the skin varies topographically and there are several factors that contribute to this unique variation among individuals.

The cutaneous immune system modulates and can be modulated by these commensal microorganisms. Dysbiosis, which directly refers to decreased microbial diversity, is directly linked to dysregulation of the skin immune response is evident in several skin disorders.

When we think about the skin barrier, we usually think about the hydrophilic corneocytes and hydrophobic lipids that make up this security guard for your skin. However, we do not necessarily think about the invisible barrier that protects the skin, which is composed of numerous microorganisms. Both of these components are vital to the structural stability of the skin barrier. If this invisible barrier is disrupted, this may lead to skin disease. Why are these commensal organisms so important?

Role of commensal organisms on the skin:

  • Inhibit colonization of foreign pathogens
  • Maintain the pH balance of the skin
  • Inhibit inflammation

We all have a unique skin microbiome. What contributes to the variability of the skin microbiome?

Factors contributing to individual variations in skin microflora:

  • Gender
  • Age
  • Environment
  • Lifestyle
  • Genetics
  • Underlying medical conditions

Read more….

Free Virtual Conference: GW Virtual Acne Appraisal Conference

By Medical Dermatology, Patient Care No Comments

Hosted by George Washington University, in Partnership with ODAC Dermatology, Aesthetic & Surgical Conference and Next Steps in Derm

Even during a global pandemic we cannot forget that Acne Vulgaris is one of if not THE most common skin condition afflicting our patients and the general populace. With the disruption of clinics and conferences, innovative vehicles for the dissemination of the most up to date data and expert anecdote are certainly and sorely needed.

Enter the GW Virtual Acne Appraisal Conference: A 3 hour program that promises to pander to your pimple popping practices with short but sweet lectures from the acne gurus covering the gamut of the big A. From treatments to treats, from considering the microbiome to unique treatment approaches in specific patient populations, we will cover it all. And if that wasn’t enough, we will round it out with a perusal of the therapeutic pipeline. It will be all that and a bag of chips (which may or may not cause acne…you need to tune in to find out).

Agenda

8:00 – 8:15 – Introduction and Welcome
8:15 – Topical Management of Acne– James Q. Del Rosso, DO, FAOCD, FAAD
8:30 – Use of Hormonal Therapies in Acne– Julie Harper, MD
8:50 – Use of Antibiotics in Acne – Neal Bhatia, MD
9:10 – Issues with Isotretinoin: Fact vs. Fiction – Jenna C. Lester, MD
9:30 – Microbiome Manipulation for the Management of Acne – Adam Friedman, MD, FAAD
9:45 –  Diet and Alternative Therapies: What to know for Acne management – Vivian Shi, MD
10:00 – Management Considerations for Skin of Color Patients with Acne –Andrew Alexis, MD, MPH
10:20 – Managing Acne in the LGBTQ+ Population – Angelo Landriscina, MD
10:40 – New and Emerging Therapies for Acne – Leon Kircik, MD

View On-Demand: Starting Your Own Dermatology Practice: Expert Panel Discussion

By Aesthetic Dermatology, Medical Dermatology, Patient Care, Video Pearls No Comments

This webinar was previously recorded on July 1, 2020 and is now available on demand.

Hosted by ODAC
In Partnership with The Journal of Drugs in Dermatology
ODAC in partnership with the JDD, invite you to join your dermatology colleagues as we discuss strategies, steps and best practices for starting your own dermatology practice. Expert panelists will discuss their experiences with securing financing, choosing devices, hiring contractors and running a practice. They will give insights into what they wish they knew before beginning their practice, offer practical tips and much more!
MODERATOR
Aanand N. Geria, MD, FAAD (Founder, Geria Dermatology – Rutherford, NJ)
PANELISTS
Matthew J. Elias, DO, FAAD (Co-Founder, Elias Dermatology – Fort Lauderdale, FL)
Rishi K. Gandhi, MD, FAAD (CEO & Director, Ohio Skin Surgery and Cosmetic Center – Dayton, OH)
Chesahna Kindred, MD, MBA, FAAD (Founder, Kindred Hair & Skin Center – Columbia, MD)
Omar N. Qutub, MD FAAD (Founder, Dermatology By Design LLC – Portland, OR)