What’s New in Dermatology for 2021: From a Dermatologist:

2021 is an exciting time. Dermatologists have more to offer our patients, with new and effective therapies for many common skin conditions, including Psoriasis, Eczema, Acne, and Actinic Keratosis. Let’s take a look at key treatment advances, from my experience as a Board-certified Dermatologist for 28 years now, with Rheumatology and Dermatology Associates (www.Rheumderm.com), Cordova, TN.

First, regarding psoriasis, a genetically often itchy or sore sensitive skin condition affecting up to 3% of Americans, of the elbows, knees, scalp, and neck, with childhood or young adulthood onset and association with arthritis (joint inflammation) in about 1/3 of patients:

Psoriasis, an autoimmune condition, traditionally managed with prescription topical (meaning “on top of the skin”) creams and ointments, like Clobetasol, and intralesional or injectable steroids, sometimes supplemented with courses of tablets: Otezla® (Apremilast), methotrexate, and Cyclosporine, or even light therapy, now has seen a true explosion in psoriasis treatment options, from injectable medications, for widespread or disabling disease, including adalimumab (Humira®), etanercept (Enbrel®), certolizumab (Cimzia®), infliximab (Remicade®), ustekizumab (Stelara®), brodalumab (Siliq®), secukinumab (Cosentyx®), ixekizumab (Taltz®) and guselkumab (Tremfya), making disabling skin psoriasis less common.

In 2021, Dermatologists also have many new options for managing eczema (atopic dermatitis), or ‘winter itch.” 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 ointments, and steroid-free medications such as Tacrolimus, Pimecrolimus, and Atopiclair®.

Another advance in managing flares of eczema is better testing for underlieing trigger chemicals causing allergies or contact dermatitis. As a member of the American Contact Dermatitis Society, I offer Skin Allergy Patch Testing, at Rheumatology and Dermatology Associates, Cordova, Tennessee (www.Rheumderm.com: 1-901-753-01680), looking at well-known culprit trigger chemicals, such as preservatives, fragrances, dyes, mixing agents (emulsifiers), and metals like nickel and cobalt.

And then there’s acne, often an aggravating skin condition for teens and young adults and felt by many Dermatologists to be a type of inflammation in the skin due to clogging of the opens of the oil glands, i.e. clogged pores. In 2021, Dermatologists can offer several new treatment strategies, for simple blackheads and whiteheads (comedones) to more severe pustules and cysts, which can leave scars. Newer forms of Vitamin A have become available, including topical tretinoin, adapalene, tazarotene, and trifarotene (AKLIEF®), and a new oral antibiotic – called Seysara®. We also have a new topical form of minocycline (Amzeeq®), and a promising new topical antiandrogen, called clascoterone cream (Winlevi®).

Dermatologists also sometimes choose a 5 months’ course of oral isotretinoin (Accutane) – 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.

There are also many new options for hidradenitis suppurativa – a painful underarms inflammation – including adalimumab injections – for acne rosacea – including brimonidine gel (Mirvaso®) – and ,for excess sweating – hyperhidrosis – including Qbrexa® (glycopyrrholate).

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

And if you suffer from premature sun aging or wrinkles, we have options of Renova® and Retin A Micro Gel.

I have a special focus on my patients with complexion issues and sun damage because my family of four Dermatologists has been compounding cleansers (AmberSoy™ Soap Gel) and Alpha-hydroxy Acid (AHA) moisturizer creams for Tennesseans for many years. In 2016, I became President of Big River Silk™ Skincare Inc., manufacturer and distributor of the Anti-wrinkle GlycoShea™ Creams (www.Bigriversilkskincare.com; 1-901-753-0168).

My own Dermatology practice is with Rheumatology and Dermatology Associates (www.Rheumderm.com; 1-901-753-0168), Cordova, TN, a suburb of Memphis, TN. Or you can find a Dermatologist near you by going to the American Academy of Dermatology web site, AAD.org, then plugging your zip code into the “Find a Dermatologist” tab, because 2021 is a great year for you to benefit from breakthroughs coming out of the latest research in Dermatology.