Memphis Dermatologist George Woodbury MD on American Academy of Dermatology meeting New Orleans '23

by George Woodbury Jr. M.D. (03/27/2023)

Above, Mickey Woodbury, 4th year Medical Student at Harvard in the pre-Dermatology track (left) greets American Academy of Dermatology President Terry Cronin MD, from Melbourne, FL, and George Woodbury Jr. MD, Dermatologist Cordova TN, at the American Academy of Dermatology opening reception in New Orleans, LA, Thursday 03/16/2023.

Below, George Woodbury MD greets Becky Kamowitz, Director of Communications for the Skin Cancer Foundation, New York, New York. Dr. Woodbury is a Mission Fund supporter of this valuable organization, devoted to new research in treatment of Basal Cell Skin Cancer, Squamous Cell Skin Cancer, and Melanoma.

March 16-20 2023 brought 17,200 Dermatologists together for the American Academy of Dermatology Annual Meeting, in New Orleans, LA, looking at new developments in Acne Treatment, Eczema Treatment (Atopic Dermatitis Treatment), and Psoriasis Treatment. Let’s take a look at key new Dermatology Treatment, my perspective being that of a Memphis Dermatologist, in Cordova TN, near Germantown, Arlington, and Lakeland, with Rheumatology and Dermatology Associates, since 1993 (www.Rheumderm.com) (1-901-753-0168).

First, regarding Psoriasis treatment, Psoriasis is a genetically often itchy or sore skin condition of the elbows, knees, scalp, and neck, traditional therapy having focused on prescription topical steroid (meaning “on top of the skin”) creams and ointments, like Clobetasol, and intralesional or injectable steroids. Dermatologists have fortunately seen a true explosion of new Psoriasis treatment options, from injectable medications, like adalimumab (Humira®) and etanercept (Enbrel®), to over eleven biologic therapies, like ustekizumab (Stelara®) and ixekizumab (Taltz®), to newer Sotyktu (deucravacitinib), a promising new non-steroid JAK-1 inhibitor newly approved for stubborn Psoriasis, including Scalp Psoriasis, and even two new steroid-free creams, Vtama® (taparinof) and Zoryve® (Roflumilast).

In 2023, Dermatologists also have new Eczema treatment (Atopic Dermatitis treatment). Often starting in childhood, with dry scaly areas of the face, neck, arms, and legs, one new option is an injectable medication – Dupixent® (dupilumab) – to supplement traditional prescription steroid creams, and steroid-free medications, like Eucrisa™; Tacrolimus, and Pimecrolimus. Opzelura® Cream (Ruxolitinib), approved by the FDA for ages 12 and above, is a new topical JAK inhibitor working on the Interleukin system involved in itching. Upadacitinib (Rinvoq®) and abrocitinib (Cibinqo®) tablets, two promising new oral non-steroid JAK-1 inhibitors, show great promise for Atopic Dermatitis patients.

Dr. Woodbury and Nurse Kristen compare notes, at the entrance to Rheumatology and Dermatology Associates, 8143 Walnut Grove Road, Cordova TN 38018.

As a member of the American Contact Dermatitis Society, I offer Skin Allergy Patch Testing Memphis, at Rheumatology and Dermatology Associates, Cordova, Tennessee (www.Rheumderm.com: 1-901-753-01680), a helpful way of searching for well-known culprit trigger chemicals for Contact Dermatitis, including preservatives, fragrances, dyes, and components of latex.

Acne treatment continues to improve, with newer forms of Vitamin A becoming available, including topical tretinoin, adapalene, tazarotene, and trifarotene (AKLIEF®), and a new oral antibiotic –Seysara®. We also have a new topical form of minocycline (Amzeeq®), and a promising new topical antiandrogen, clascoterone cream (Winlevi®).

Dermatologists also sometimes choose a 5 months’ course of oral isotretinoin Memphis (Accutane Memphis) – for people with severe acne or acne that keeps coming back (recurrent acne) – though this drug must not be used by people who may become pregnant during therapy – due to the risk of severe birth defects.

Below Dr. Woodbury greets Dr. Mark Kaufmann, Emeritus President of the American Academy of Dermatology, of New York, New York, and Mickey Woodbury, 4th year Medical Student at Harvard, at the opening reception of the American Academy of Dermatology meeting, at the Riverside Inn, New Orleans, March 16th, 2022.

Exciting newer treatment options are now also available for Hidradenitis Suppurativa Memphis– a painful underarms and/or groin inflammation – including adalimumab (Humira®) injections and secukinumab (Cosentyx®); for acne rosacea – include brimonidine gel (Mirvaso®); and for excess sweating – Hyperhidrosis – including Qbrexa® (glycopyrrholate).

For precancerous growths - solar keratosis (actinic keratosis) - we now offer four FDA-approved therapies to supplement liquid nitrogen treatments (cryotherapy): topical 5-fluoruracil creams (Fluoroplex® and Efudex®), Diclofenac (Solareze®), imiquimod (Aladara®), and (abironone) Klisyri® gel.

The patient in the photo above has Vitiligo, and promising treatment is now available: Vitiligo treatment has improved dramatically with the new availability of a topical JK inhibitor cream – Opzeulura® (ruxolitinib) – for patients aged 12 and older.

For premature sun aging or wrinkles, Memphis Dermatologists like myself can offer newer prescription options such as Renova® and Retin A Micro Gel.

I have a special focus on my patients with complexion issues and sun damage because the Woodbury family of Dermatologists has been studying and manufacturing organic cleansers (AmberSoy™ Soap Gel) and Alpha-hydroxy Acid (AHA) moisturizer creams for Tennesseans with Acne, Psoriasis, and need for Antiwrinkle creams for many years. In 2016, I became President of Big River Silk™ Skincare Inc., manufacturer and distributor of the GlycoShea™ Creams and Lotions, containing Glycolic Acid, and also a gentle organic moisturizer, HypoShea™ Oil, for people with dry and/or sensitive skin. We’re also excited as of December 2022 to release fragrance-free GlycoShea Facial&Neck Lotion and GlycoShea Hand&Body Lotion(www.Bigriversilkskincare.com; 1-901-753-0168).

So if you’re looking for a “Dermatologist Near Me Memphis”, or a “Dermatologist Near Me Cordova TN,” my own Dermatology Cordova TN practice is with Rheumatology and Dermatology Associates, 8143 Walnut Grove Road, Cordova TN (www.Rheumderm.com; 1-901-753-0168. Or you can find a Dermatologist closer to you by going to the American Academy of Dermatology web site, AAD.org, then plugging your zip code into the “Find a Dermatologist” tab.

George Woodbury Jr. M.D. 03/27/2023

Board-certified Dermatologist at Rheumatology and Dermatology Associates (www.Rheumderm.com)

President of Big River Silk Skincare Inc. (www.Bigriversilkskincare.com)

8143 Walnut Grove Road

Cordova TN 38018

1-901-753-0168 03/27/2023