Dear Colleagues:

Welcome to the October 2017 edition of the Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology (JCAD).  We start this issue with a study by Wu and Goldman titled, “A Topical Anti-inflammatory Healing Regimen Utilizing Conjugated Linolenic Acid for Use Post-ablative Laser Resurfacing of the Face: A Randomized, Controlled Trial.” Here, the investigators  evaluated the efficacy and subject satisfaction of a topical regimen containing conjugated linolenic acid (CLA) in accelerating wound healing and improving skin quality following fractionated ablative laser resurfacing of the face. The authors report that subjects who applied CLA following their laser procedure experienced less edema and itching and faster results in wrinkle improvement than those who applied 1% dimethicone ointment post-procedure.

Next, Mehta-Ambalal explored the associations that acne might have with certain clinical, hormonal, and biological factors among female patients with acne. In the article titled, “Clinical, Biochemical, and Hormonal Associations in Female Patients with Acne: A Study and Literature Review,” the author reports finding a very high prevalence of abnormal metabolic and hormonal statuses among women with acne, and concludes that dermatologists should maintain a high index of suspicion for the presence of comorbid metabolic disorders when treating female patients with acne.

Following this, in the article, “Survey of Dermatologists and Venereologists Shows Varying Approach to Penile Biopsies,”Wernham and Shim examined frequency of use and safety of epinephrine-containing local anesthesia among dermatologists and venereologists performing penile biopsy. The investigators found that among their sample of physicians use of epinephrine-containing local anesthesia during penile biopsies was common, and none of the surveyed physicians reported episodes of necrosis, suggesting that epinephrine-containing local anesthesia is safe for local penile injection.

Next, Markowitz et al present the results of a study that assessed whether actinic keratoses and photodamaged perilesional areas (field cancerization) that were treated successfully with topical ingenol mebutate gel 0.015% would remain clear one year later.  In their article titled, “Noninvasive Long-term Monitoring of Actinic Keratosis and Field Cancerization Following Treatment with Ingenol Mebutate Gel 0.015%,” the researchers report that ingenol mebutate 0.015% was successful in maintaining clearance of lesions up to one year following treatment.

Following this, in their review article, “Sandalwood Album Oil as a Botanical Therapeutic in Dermatology,” Moy and Levenson describe the use of sandalwood album oil (SAO) for treatment of several dermatological disorders, including acne, psoriasis, eczema, common warts, and molluscum contagiosum. The authors describe and discuss the biological activity and mechanisms of action, safety profile, and treatment modalities of SAO as well as review  recently completed and ongoing clinical trials studying SAO’s potential as a therapeutic agent in dermatology.

Next, we present two interesting case reports: Zarraga et al describe an unusual case of pyoderma gangrenosum that followed a diagnosis of granulomatosis with polyangitis. And Cohen describes a fixed drug eruption in a man who repeatedly developed pruritus and macular erythema on his distal penile shaft after ingesting a natural product containing Ginkgo biloba and vinpocetine.

And finally, we wrap up the issue with summaries of the latest news and trends in dermatology, as well as a calendar of upcoming educational events in dermatology research.

We hope you enjoy this issue of JCAD. As always, we welcome your comments, feedback, and submissions.

 

With regards,

James Q. Del Rosso, DO, FAOCD

Editor-in-Chief, Clinical Dermatology

 

Wm. Philip Werschler, MD, FAAD, FAACS

Editor-in-Chief, Aesthetic Dermatology

 

Seemal R. Desai, MD, FAAD

Associate Editor