By Allison Sit
The FDA has approved Olumiant (baricitinib) as a first-in-disease systemic treatment for adults with severe alopecia areata. Olumniant is a once-daily, oral JAK inhibitor.
“People with alopecia areata, dermatologists and other healthcare providers have been looking forward to this day when there is an FDA-approved systemic medicine for this often-devastating disease,” said Brett King, MD, PhD, FAAD, associate professor of dermatology at Yale School of Medicine and lead investigator of the BRAVE-AA program.
“The approval of Olumiant can spark hope for many patients and encourage new treatment conversations with their doctors,” said Nicole Friedland, president and chief executive officer, National Alopecia Areata Foundation (NAAF). “NAAF wants more choices for our patient community and with the approval of Olumiant, there are now new treatment expectations being established in alopecia areata care.”
Sun Heroes is recruiting licensed healthcare professionals to teach sun-safe behaviors in grade schools throughout the U.S. The program provides a curriculum and resources designed to keep kids safe from the sun and ultimately reduce skin cancer across all ages by teaching kids healthy sun habits early.
“I created Sun Heroes in partnership with CeraVe and La Roche-Posay because I am passionate about reducing the amount of skin cancer in our lifetime and believe that early education is the way to do that,” said board-certified dermatologist and Sun Heroes founder, Amy Brodsky, MD. Dr. Brodsky said that more than 130 providers have registered to be a Sun Hero so far and more than 8,000 grade school students have already participated in the program.
Ninety percent of moderate to severe acne sufferers said having acne-free skin would dramatically change the way they live their life, according to a new survey conducted on behalf of Cutera, Inc. The online survey of people with mild, moderate or severe acne found many who suffer from acne miss moments where first impressions would be made, such as first dates or job interviews, moments where cameras would be present, including social gatherings with friends and family, and even weddings, high school proms or birthday parties. Nearly 1 in 4 respondents with moderate to severe acne reported missing more than 10 important life moments due to acne.
“It’s clear from the findings that in addition to all of the physical and emotional side effects that acne causes, it is also causing those who suffer to miss milestone events or important moments, big or small, throughout their life,” said Dave Mowry, CEO of Cutera.
