Applying The Psoriasis Guidelines to Practice

Next Steps in Derm and the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, in partnership with the Dermatology Education Foundation (DEF) and Physicians Resources,  interviewed Dr. April Armstrong (Professor of Dermatology and Associate Dean for Clinical Research at the Keck School of Medicine at USC) on applying the psoriasis guidelines established by the American Academy of Dermatology and the National Psoriasis Foundation to help guide the clinician community. As Dr. Armstrongs points out, one of the most important aspects of these guidelines is determining when systemic therapy is appropriate for psoriasis patients. Watch as Dr. Armstrong carefully explains the criteria needed to make this clinical decision as well as how she sees these guidelines evolving over time.

The Fern Pattern Technique

The Fern Pattern Technique

A video demonstration of “A Novel Method to Inject Hyaluronic Acid: The Fern Pattern Technique,” by Tom van Eijk, MD and Martin Braun, MD.

The Evaluation and Treatment of the Aging Face

The Evaluation and Treatment of the Aging Face

Non-Surgical Aesthetic Treatment: Join a live, interactive, 90-minute demonstration on the evaluation and treatment of the aging face using non-surgical aesthetic lasers. The session will be hosted by Dr. Donald Groot and Dr. Richard Green.

Aesthetic Dermatology: Considerations Before Approaching the Male Face presented by Whitney P. Bowe, MD

Aesthetic Dermatology: Considerations Before Approaching the Male Face presented by Whitney P. Bowe, MD

If you are interested in going into aesthetic dermatology, take some time to study the differences between the male and female face and what is considered attractive. What many dermatologists may not realize is that over 80% of patients studied in clinical trials for fillers and injectables are female. I urge you to appreciate and understand the differences in female and male faces and adjust your technique as necessary.

Psychology and Dermatology: Changing the Lives of Our Patients for the Better presented by Richard G. Fried, MD, PhD

Psychology and Dermatology: Changing the Lives of Our Patients for the Better presented by Richard G. Fried, MD, PhD

In 20 years of experience in psychology and dermatology, probably the single most important thing we give patients is control, hope, demonstrable clinical change. What we’ve found in studies that we’ve done here and throughout the country is we just don’t make people feel better, we actually change the functional level of our patients. Whether it’s treating chronic itch, whether it’s treating beliefs of infestation, whether it’s using fillers – Botox. We generally change physiologically how people feel and function.

Using Field Therapy to Treat Multiple Actinic Keratoses presented by Neil Alan Fenske, MD, FACP

Using Field Therapy to Treat Multiple Actinic Keratoses presented by Neil Alan Fenske, MD, FACP

When you see a patient whose got multiple-actinic keratosis, consider using field therapy with one of the many drugs that are available to treat the entire mutated skin as opposed to just the isolated, visible multiple actinic keratosis. This is will ultimately serve you patient best because of all the skin has been damaged by the sun, not just the isolated lesions that you see clinically.

Ice Cream Before Injectable Procedures: Your Patients Will Love You and It Reduces Bruising, Too presented by Michael Sinclair, MD

Ice Cream Before Injectable Procedures: Your Patients Will Love You and It Reduces Bruising, Too presented by Michael Sinclair, MD

Give your patients about 2 tablespoons of the richest chocolate, vanilla, or strawberry ice cream that you can right before you do an injectable procedure. The reason I tell them I do this is that it seems to raise the viscosity of their blood, so it actually tends to reduce bruising. I’m not sure how much it’s actually reducing the bruising, but they patients believe it, they love it, and they’ll come back to you because it differentiates you from the competitors. It doesn’t really matter what brand as long as it ultra-fattening, ultra-rich, and only about 2 tablespoons is all that it takes. You patients will love and they’ll come back to you.

Be Careful: Too Much Botox Is Bad for Anyone presented by Martin Braun, MD

Be Careful: Too Much Botox Is Bad for Anyone presented by Martin Braun, MD

Try to put less Botox in the forehead. Leave that front talus muscle alone. In my opinion, far too many patients are getting far too much Botox in the forehead. It is preventing animation of the forehead and it gives a strange look. A smooth, shiny atrophic forehead never looks good on anyone – male or female.

Reducing Post-Surgical Inflammation and Scarring with Acne Patients: Topical Steroid Gels are a Good Idea presented by Manjula Jegasothy, MD

Reducing Post-Surgical Inflammation and Scarring with Acne Patients: Topical Steroid Gels are a Good Idea presented by Manjula Jegasothy, MD

For acne patients who undergo extractions in your office, either if you perform the extraction yourself or have one of your staff performs the extraction, immediately afterwards, place a drop of topical steroid – Class 1 topical steroid gel – into the open lesion. It will take down the inflammation and make sure that the patient leaves your office in pristine condition. They’re not marked up and they’re incredibly happy with your skill of the procedure.

Letting Your Patients Have the Final Say on Surgery: They’ll Feel Better and So Will You presented by Leon Kircik, MD

Letting Your Patients Have the Final Say on Surgery: They’ll Feel Better and So Will You presented by Leon Kircik, MD

Anytime you do a procedure, be it Moh’s micrographic surgery or anything else, give the patient a chance – maybe not a full consult – but give them a chance to think about it, if they really want to do the procedure or not. If possible, let them go home and think about it. Let them discuss it with their family, and then let them come back and tell you, yes, they really want to do it.

Evidence-Based Approaches to Selecting Fillers: Science – A Proven Winner over Instincts presented by Hema Sundaram, MD, FAAD

Evidence-Based Approaches to Selecting Fillers: Science – A Proven Winner over Instincts presented by Hema Sundaram, MD, FAAD

Looking back over the last year, one of the really big things has been touched me in my clinical practice and also in my teaching is the move to evidence-based approach to the selection of fillers. We’re no longer just relying on our empiric experiences when we inject various products, but we are looking increasingly towards the science – towards rheology which is the study of flow-related properties, and also towards a greater understanding of neo-collagenesis for some of these products.

Developing Rapport with Your Patients: Don’t Underestimate the Importance of Touch presented by Erin Gilbert, MD, PhD

Developing Rapport with Your Patients: Don’t Underestimate the Importance of Touch presented by Erin Gilbert, MD, PhD

I think the value of touch is underestimated and undervalued. When I inject my patients, whether it’s Botulinum toxin or a filler, I spend a good five minutes after I inject applying arnica to my patients. And, the reason I do that is because the relationship between patient and doctor really needs to be based on trust and I think touch is an important part of that.