Advances in Dermatology | by Dr . Alpesh Desai
decreases the risk of post-procedural infection , and allows the patient to continue participating in typical dayto-day activities .
Biologic treatment is one of the most life-altering changes in dermatology . With psoriasis affecting more than 8 million Americans and 2-3 % of the population worldwide , it has proven to be an immensely burdensome disease . There was great success with the first class of biologics that hit the market , the TNF inhibitors . The more popular TNF inhibitors are
Laser therapy offers more effective , less invasive options for a large quantity of skin conditions , such as melasma , scarring , sun damage , tattoos , and unwanted hair .
Humira and Enbrel . However , the most recent class of biologics , the Interleukin 17 ’ s ( ex . Cosentyx , Taltz ) and Interleukin 23 ’ s ( ex . Ilumya , Skyrizi , and Tremfya ), have given patients almost complete clearance with little to no side effects in comparison to traditional methods such as methotrexate , cyclosporin , and other broad-spectrum immunosuppressants . Another biologic that has hit the market is used for atopic dermatitis . Dupixent is the first injectable biologic approved by the FDA for children 6 years and older with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis , and for whom traditional topical methods have been unsuccessful . It targets two interleukins linked to atopic diseases , interleukin 4 and 13 . Dupixent keeps IL 4 and IL 13 from binding to their cell receptors , decreasing the inflammatory response and , therefore , symptoms of atopic dermatitis .
Cosmetic dermatology has also made huge advancements in technology with various lasers and LED light therapies . Laser therapy offers more effective , less invasive options for a large number of skin conditions , such as melasma , scarring , sun damage , tattoos , and unwanted hair . Red light therapy helps to promote collagen production and reduce inflammation , whereas blue light therapy can help destroy bacteria under the skin . These laser treatments use specific wavelengths of light to target tissues that can positively affect blood vessels , hair follicles , pigmentation , and moisture in the skin . Developing an understanding of these lasers and how they
26 iS Skin Source