A practical, consensus driven algorithm to help clinicians combine topical care and device therapies
We wanted to share this February 2026 article that has been gaining a lot of attention. In case you missed it, we wanted to bring it to your attention. A multinational group of dermatologists developed a clinical algorithm to guide integration of skincare and energy based devices for acne and its sequelae. The work was informed by a live meeting of six North America based dermatologists, input from additional advisors and a larger premeeting survey, and review by eleven authors across Asia, Europe, Australia, and North America.
The proposed algorithm offers practical guidance for clinical workflows and device planning while emphasizing the role of appropriate skincare when delivering energy based interventions for acne. The authors present a clinician focused approach intended to improve consistency of care and to address common questions about combining topical regimens with procedural timing and postprocedure management.
This is expert consensus informed by survey data and group discussion, not randomized evidence, so the guidance aims to support clinical decision making rather than replace individualized assessment. Practicing dermatology clinicians may find the algorithm useful when considering integration of EBDs into acne treatment plans.
Read the full JDD article for the algorithm details, evidence summaries, and implementation considerations to inform practice.
J Drugs Dermatol. 2026;25(2):111-117. doi:10.36849/JDD.9439
Blog write-up assisted by AI
