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ODAC Sessions

Oct 29
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Growing a Dermatology Practice: ODAC Interview

By ODAC Sessions

growing a dermatology practice

A service-oriented culture can help grow a dermatology practice, according to ODAC faculty Robyn Siperstein, MD, FAAD. Dr. Siperstein credits her workplace culture for her practice’s expansion to more than 100 staff members at two locations.

Check out this interview with Next Steps in Derm from ODAC 2025 where Dr. Siperstein shares her early leadership lessons and how this culture permeates her office from the top down. Go to school on Dr. Siperstein’s signature moves in growing a dermatology practice through service. Plus learn how to make each patient interaction one that expresses value.

Are you a wannabe practice owner? Register for ODAC 2026 and attend Dr. Ronda S. Farah’s session on what it takes to open a dermatology practice.

Oct 24
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Vulvar Dermatoses: ODAC Pearls from Dr. Christina Kraus

By ODAC Sessions

vulvar dermatoses

At the 2025 ODAC Dermatology Conference, Christina Kraus, MD, FAAD, reviewed systemic treatment options for refractory vulvar inflammatory dermatoses, such as lichen sclerosus (LS), lichen planus (LP), and lichen simplex chronicus (LSC). While most cases respond to potent topical corticosteroids, systemics may be needed for severe or pre-scarring disease, recalcitrant symptoms, or when topical use is limited by side effects or patient preference.

Key takeaways:

  • When to consider systemics: severe/refractory disease, extragenital involvement, prevention of scarring, poor quality of life, or steroid-sparing needs.
  • Common agents: oral retinoids, methotrexate, mycophenolate mofetil, adalimumab; systemic steroids mainly for short-term use.
  • Emerging options: IL-23 inhibitors and JAK inhibitors show promise but require further study.
  • Condition-specific notes:
    • LS: maintenance therapy critical to prevent scarring/malignancy.
    • LP: erosive type often requires systemic therapy; overlap with LS should be considered.
    • LSC: no scarring risk but major quality-of-life impact; systemic immunosuppressants, dupilumab, or neuropathic agents may help.
  • Approach: shared decision-making, patient counseling, monitoring, and collaboration with gynecology/rheumatology as appropriate.

Bottom line: Systemic agents can expand therapeutic options for vulvar dermatoses when topicals fail, but careful patient selection, counseling, and ongoing study of newer therapies are essential.

This session summary was written by Kala Hurst, DO, and published on Next Steps in Derm.

Register for ODAC 2026 for more medical dermatology updates.

Oct 17
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What’s New in Rosacea: Interview with Dr. Adam Friedman

By ODAC Sessions

rosacea

ODAC Co-Chair Adam Friedman, MD, FAAD, says he’s changed the way he approaches rosacea due to some nuances in recently published studies.

Watch this Next Steps in Derm video interview with Dr. Friedman from ODAC 2025 where he addresses what’s new in the understanding of rosacea triggers. Does current research support the longstanding guidance to avoid coffee? Plus learn Dr. Friedman’s top strategies for managing rosacea and find out about three recently FDA-approved rosacea therapies.

Don’t miss Dr. Friedman’s rosacea session at ODAC 2026 where he’ll address more new developments and practical approaches. Register today!

Sep 17
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Surgical Reconstruction Pearls

By ODAC Sessions

surgical reconstruction pearls

Think outside the box. That’s the direction of dermatologic surgeon Timothy C. Flynn, MD, FAAD, to dermatologists conducting surgical reconstruction.

Watch this Next Steps in Derm video interview with Dr. Flynn from ODAC 2025 where he shares questions dermatologists should ask when addressing a wound. Find out why considering shadows and highlights is important for positive outcomes and which aspects of beauty to consider when conducting surgical reconstruction.

Register for ODAC 2026 for more surgical dermatology pearls.

Sep 12
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Neuromodulator Complications: ODAC Pearls with Dr. Watchmaker

By ODAC Sessions, Uncategorized

neuromodulator complications

At the 2025 ODAC Dermatology Conference, Jacqueline Watchmaker, MD, shared how to assess and manage neuromodulator complications. Here are some highlights from her session:

  • With heavy eyelids, Dr. Watchmaker says it’s crucial to determine whether the issue lies with the brow or the eyelid itself.
  • Brow ptosis is caused by too many units overall in the frontalis, too many units too low or lateral in the frontalis, or diffusion of neuromodulator from the glabellar complex to the lower frontalis.
  • Watchmaker suggests adding units to the depressor muscles (procerus/corrugators/orbicularis oculi) to help lift the brow. Also, with time, she says the neurotoxin’s effects will naturally fade, resolving the brow ptosis without intervention.
  • A “crooked smile” effect can happen when inadvertently injecting the depressor labii inferioris (DLI) muscle. Injecting one unit of the neuromodulator into the contralateral DLI muscle will lessen the effect naturally in a few weeks.
  • A “shelf” appearance under the eye occurs when too much neuromodulator is injected into the orbicularis oculi muscle. This may be prevented by using only 1-2 units for the most inferior injection.
  • Patients also may notice more prominent “sleep lines” post-injection. She recommends patients wear hydrocolloid bandages at night if the lines are bothersome.
  • Watchmaker also debunks several myths that are often shared with patients after neuromodulator injections, including not bending down or lying down for four hours post-injection, or not working out for 24 hours.
  • Watchmaker says there is limited data regarding whether exercising facial muscles or taking oral zinc help prolong a neuromodulator’s duration.

This session summary was written by Vixey Silva, DO, and published on Next Steps in Derm.

Register for ODAC 2026 for more pearls on preventing and managing complications.

 

Sep 02
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Acne 2025 Update: ODAC Highlights

By ODAC Sessions

acne treatment

What’s in vogue in the treatment of acne in 2025? Isotretinoin! A resurgence in the use of isotretinoin is one of the latest developments in the treatment of acne, according to dermatologist and researcher Neal Bhatia, MD, FAAD.

Dr. Bhatia spoke with Next Steps in Derm about his ODAC 2025 session on acne. Watch as he shares new therapeutic developments as well as key points in acne patient education.

Register for ODAC 2026 and attend Dr. Bhatia’s sessions on treating actinic keratosis and optimizing photodynamic therapy outcomes.

Aug 11
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Inpatient Consultations at ODAC with Dr. Olayemi Sokumbi

By ODAC Sessions

best practices in examining a dermatology inpatient

ODAC covers a breadth of topics in dermatology, including how to approach inpatient dermatological consultations. Next Steps in Derm, in partnership with ODAC, interviewed Olayemi Sokumbi, MD, about her ODAC 2025 session on best practices in examining an inpatient.

Watch as Dr. Sokumbi shares three categories you need to consider in your initial exam of an inpatient. Plus hear why a close partnership with a dermatopathologist is important in making an accurate diagnosis.

Register for ODAC 2026 for more pearls and updates in dermatology.

Aug 01
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Diagnosing Alopecias: Highlights from ODAC 2025

By ODAC Sessions

diagnosing alopecia

August is Hair Loss Awareness Month. At the 2025 ODAC Dermatology Conference, Ronda Farah, MD, FAAD, shared a comprehensive, systematic approach to diagnosing and managing hair loss, emphasizing clinical precision and patient-centered care.

Initial Evaluation: The “Top Ten” Checklist

Dr. Farah’s diagnostic approach begins within the first minute of the encounter by assessing:

  • Scalp: For erythema, follicular signs, scaling, tenderness, and patterned thinning
  • Hair shaft: For breakage due to chemical or heat damage
  • Nails: For signs like pitting or trachonychia, which suggest alopecia areata or lichen planopilaris
  • Eyebrows: For patchy loss, often seen in frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA) or alopecia areata

Diagnostic Tools

She highlighted the value of non-invasive tools:

  • Photodocumentation: An 8-image series to track progress and treatment response
  • Hair pull/tug tests: To detect active shedding or fragility
  • Hair mounts: To examine shaft abnormalities and growth phases
  • Trichoscopy: To distinguish between scarring and non-scarring alopecias
  • Scalp biopsy: For complex or unclear cases

Clinical Pearls from Real Cases

  • Thorough scalp evaluation is essential: Localized hair loss may mask systemic or multifocal disease like alopecia areata or trichotillomania.
  • Differentiate between androgenetic alopecia and CCCA: They may appear similar but show distinct trichoscopic features—miniaturization in androgenetic alopecia, and peripilar halos in CCCA.
  • CCCA has systemic comorbidities: Genetic and fibroproliferative links suggest associations with type 2 diabetes, uterine fibroids, and breast cancer—prompting broader screening.
  • FFA affects more than scalp: Look for eyebrow loss, facial papules, mucocutaneous changes, and even depressed frontal veins.
  • Distinguish from traction alopecia, especially early in the disease course.

Cosmetic Considerations

  • Hair loss affects self-esteem, driving interest in aesthetic treatments.
  • Procedural caution in FFA: Avoid aggressive resurfacing in active disease due to impaired wound healing.
  • Safer options: Non-ablative Nd:YAG laser for facial papules, oral isotretinoin, and carefully placed fillers to balance facial aesthetics.
  • Be aware of rare complications like dermal filler-induced alopecia.

Conclusion

Dr. Farah emphasized that successful hair loss diagnosis and treatment requires a structured clinical framework, attention to subtle physical signs, and appropriate use of diagnostic tools. Her insights underscored the importance of holistic patient evaluation, inclusive of both physical and psychological needs. Mastery of these strategies leads to more accurate diagnoses, improved patient outcomes, and stronger provider-patient relationships.

This session summary was written by Dr. Damien Abreu and published on Next Steps in Derm.

Jul 24
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Procedures in Kids at ODAC: Tips with A. Yasmine Kirkorian, MD

By ODAC Sessions

dermatology procedures in children

Pediatric dermatology pearls are part of the ODAC educational focus. Next Steps in Derm, in partnership with ODAC, interviewed A. Yasmine Kirkorian, MD, about her ODAC 2025 session on hot tips for procedures in kids.

Watch as Dr. Kirkorian shares why you might want to reconsider some procedures. If you move forward with a procedure, learn how to appropriately involve the parent and other medical staff. Plus find out when you might want to consider moving a procedure to the OR.

Register for ODAC 2026 for more pediatric dermatology updates.

Jul 16
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Procedural Treatments for NMSC at ODAC with C. William Hanke, MD

By ODAC Sessions

procedural treatments to prevent non-melanoma skin cancer

July is UV Awareness Month. At the 2025 ODAC Dermatology Conference, C. William Hanke, MD, presented on preventing nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) through the power of procedural treatments. In this session, Dr. Hanke outlined cosmetic and therapeutic interventions that offer both aesthetic improvement and a reduced risk of skin cancer.

Before detailing the interventions, Dr. Hanke pointed out that cosmetic treatments that cause controlled injury to the skin have been found to increase IGF-1 levels in fibroblasts. IGF-1 is a growth factor critical for suppressing UV-damaged keratinocytes.

For aging patients who have extensive actinic damage, Dr. Hanke recommends the aggressive use of photodynamic therapy (PDT), chemical peels, dermabrasion, and topical chemotherapy agents. Dr. Hanke says these treatments not only improve the cosmetic appearance of the skin but also decrease NMSC risk.

Key points from the session include:

  • Dr. Hanke has found that frequent utilization of PDT significantly reduces the annual incidence of NMSC in his patients. While the therapy can be significantly uncomfortable, Dr. Hanke says ALA incubation time, wavelength, and distance to light source can be modified to make the procedure more tolerable. In addition, cold air anesthesia can alleviate discomfort.
  • Dr. Hanke cited a 2023 study showing that non-ablative fractional laser treatment is associated with a decreased risk of subsequent facial keratinocyte carcinoma development by 20.9% in treated patients compared to 40.4% in the control group.
  • Dr. Hanke cautioned against the general use of aggressive lasers on the chest, such as the erbium laser, or CO2 laser, due to the risk of scarring and hypopigmentation.
  • A notable 2006 randomized controlled trial compared the efficacy of 5-FU, CO2 laser, and 30% TCA peel in reducing actinic keratoses (AKs). The results showed an 83-92% reduction in AKs in the experimental groups compared to control, with the TCA group exhibiting the lowest rate of NMSC.
  • Dr. Hanke frequently uses dermabrasion with a nerve block for patients with extensive actinic damage and a history of NMSC on the nose.

Dr. Hanke emphasized the dual role of procedural dermatology in both cosmetic rejuvenation and cancer prevention. By integrating therapies, such as PDT, lasers, chemical peels, and dermabrasion, dermatologists can tailor treatments to significantly reduce NMSC risk while improving skin quality.

This session summary was written by Vixey Silva, DO and published on Next Steps in Derm.

Register for ODAC 2026 for more updates on preventing skin cancer.

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