Dr. Ronald Moy MD FAAD is a highly esteemed cosmetic and facial plastic surgeon in Los Angeles, renowned for his expertise in cosmetic and facial plastic surgery, Mohs Micrographic Surgery, and laser skin resurfacing. Dr. Moy is a published author of more than 200 articles on cosmetic and dermatologic surgery and treatments and is a renowned international lecturer on advancing cosmetic surgery technologies.
What is the best change you’ve seen in the dermatology field over the past 5 years?
The best change in the field of dermatology is the new medications and can improve psoriasis, atopic dermatitis and some metastatic skin cancers.
What is a change you’d like to see in the field in the next 5?
We need more of an emphasis on preventative dermatology since the FDA has not given the “preventative claim” to any medication or supplements in dermatology. For example there are doubled blinded controlled studies published in NEJM showing that nicotinamide prevents non-melanoma skin cancer yet most potential skin cancer patients know nothing about these supplements. Topical DNA repair enzymes have also been shown in Lancet to prevent skin cancers in children who have decreased DNA repair enzymes.
Do you think there could ever be a danger of using AI in dermatology?
We have published articles on AI for dermatology diagnosis where AI has the potential to improve clinical diagnosis. I cannot see any real danger when AI is used for diagnosis although caution should have us examine all intended uses of AI in dermatology. If AI is used to replace dermatologists there could be real danger as has been discussed using AI in our society
Do you have any advice for up-and-coming derms?
I would recommend that up and coming Derm’s learn more surgical procedures than just injection procedures such as fillers and neuromodulators because other health care providers will be taking over more of this market for economic reasons as I have seen in other countries. We should also be careful that we critique industry or private equity to make decisions that do what is best for patients. We all observe instances where our colleagues are paid to advocate for new expensive medication or technology, a treatment is denied to a patient because of costs or misinformation is disseminated that may not be in the best interests of a patient. Our health care system encourages us to use new expensive medications, new cosmetic injectables and new technologies because of the marketing forces that exist in our health care system. We should advocate for our patients and educate them on preventive dermatology, using generic less expensive medications and making sure the efficacy of any treatment has been established and evaluated. We should treat every patient like they were our family members.
What is a product under $20 everyone should have at home?
Moisturizers.
