PracticalDermatology

Exuviance Introduces New Detox Mud Treatment

The Exuviance Detox Mud Treatment is formulated with three key ingredients: 23 percent active charcoal, clay, and NeoGlucosamine for a refined, smoother complexion. The patented non-acid NeoGlucosamine exfoliates skin to encourage cellular turnover and initiate the clarifying treatment process. Japanese Binchotan Charcoal sweeps up impurities and environmental toxins that could otherwise clog pores. French Clay has a high mineral content, ideal for absorbing oil to refine pores, leaving skin soft and revitalized. Used twice weekly, this mask is formulated for all skin types, particularly skin that is occasionally congested, oily, or blemish-prone. The charcoal and clay formula spreads easily and dries without staining skin. Exuviance.com

Alastin Skincare Launches Trihex Transition Duo at ASDS

Alastin Skincare, Inc. launched its TriHex Transition Duo at the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS) Annual Meeting in Chicago in October. The TriHex Transition Duo includes a full-size Regenerating Skin Nectar for use pre- and post-procedure and a transition-size Restorative Skin Complex for ongoing skin maintenance, in an easy-to-use Duo pack. Both products leverage Alastin’s TriHex Technology which maximizes the skin’s natural ability to repair itself and to produce new collagen and elastin both before and after anti-aging treatments. TriHex Technology helps rebuild and recycle the skin’s extracellular matrix (ECM) by clearing out byproducts of aging from exposure to sun and pollution. The TriHex Transition Duo can be purchased from Alastin Skincare aesthetic physicians’ offices. Alastin.com

Silk’n Offers Titan by Silk’n for Home Use

Silk’n is now offering Titan by Silk’n for at-home skin tightening and lifting. Titan combines infrared energy to increase blood circulation and improve skin tone and texture, LED light energy to boost collagen production along with RF energy to contract connective tissue, remodel collagen and strengthen elastin to lift and tighten sagging skin.

“Titan by Silk’n is the most advanced device for at-home use, and it has proven results,” says New York City dermatologist Judith Hellman, MD, in a news release. “For those who are not looking to pursue in-office skin treatments, Titan delivers an affordable, safe and effective way to achieve younger looking skin with a healthy glow. And for those pursing in-office treatments, it extends and magnifies the results.” silkn.com.

New Three-In-One Skincare Device from Philips

Philips is introducing Philips VisaPure Advanced, a new three-in-one facial skincare tool. The new device works to remove impurities that have accumulated in pores resulting in lesser appearance of enlarged or clogged pores and blackheads, which can be caused by a number of factors including oily skin, clogging—by makeup and other skin care products—and aging.

Customized DualMotion technology allows for different levels of rotation and vibration. The device is also equipped with Intelligent Head Recognition, enabling the device to immediately recognize each attachment and tailor the session with specific levels of rotation, vibration and duration to achieve the optimal skincare benefits.

The three interchangeable attachments include a Deep Pore Cleansing Brush, a Precision Cleansing Brush, and Revitalizing Massage Attachment. usa.philips.com

Therapeutics: Hair and Nails

SmartGraft Names Industry Vet New EVP

Joseph R. Brown is the new Executive Vice President for SmartGraft, a minimally invasive hair restoration treatment.

Mr. Brown joins SmartGraft from Restoration Robotics, Inc., developers of the ARTAS Robotic Hair Restoration System, where he served as Director of Business Development. He was previously with Bosley.

Watch This Now

Hair Restoration Advances
Neil Sadick, MD recently sat down with DermTube Journal Club host Joshua Zeichner, MD to discuss advances in hair restoration techniques and treatments. As research has started to identify causes of hair loss that were not known before, like the role of chronic inflammation, there have been advances in targeted treatments. Platelet-rich Plasma (PRP), low-energy lasers, and red-light LED have all shown promise as hair restoration treatments and are being investigated to determine the best candidates for treatments, best techniques, and ideal treatment protocols for optimal outcomes.

“With Joey’s expertise in patient acquisition, patient conversion and patient retention, we will strategically take SmartGraft to the next level,” says Cindy Rager, President and COO of SmartGraft, in a news release.

Concert Pharmaceuticals Enrolls First Cohort of Phase 2a Trial

Concert Pharmaceuticals, Inc. completed enrollment of the first cohort of its Phase 2a trial evaluating CTP-543 for the treatment of moderate to severe alopecia areata. CTP-543 is a deuterium-modified analog of ruxolitinib, a Janus Kinase (JAK) inhibitor that is commercially available under the brand name Jakafi for the treatment of certain blood disorders.

In the Phase 2a trial, patients with alopecia areata in the first cohort are administered 4mg of CTP-543 or placebo twice daily for 24 weeks. An independent Data Monitoring Committee (DMC) will conduct an interim safety data review from the first cohort after patients have completed three months of dosing. This review is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2018. Based on this review, the DMC will provide its recommendation regarding initiating the second cohort in the trial, which will be administered 8mg of CTP-543 or placebo twice daily for 24 weeks. The Phase 2a trial is expected to be completed in the second half of 2018.

The Phase 2a trial is a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of CTP-543 in adults with moderate to severe alopecia areata. Approximately 90 patients are being enrolled in the study and sequentially randomized to receive one of two doses of CTP-543 (4 or 8mg) or placebo twice daily. The primary outcome measure will utilize the severity of alopecia tool (SALT) after 24 weeks of dosing. Patient-reported outcome measures will be assessed as secondary endpoints. If appropriate, the protocol may be amended to explore higher doses of CTP-543.

Nail Manifestations Present with Psoriatic Arthritis

A recent study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology found nail findings may enable physicians to distinguish patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) from those without arthritis. The presence of transverse grooves is significantly associated with PsA and may be associated with distal interphalangeal arthritis and enthesitis, the researchers noted.

The finding were based on a retrospective analysis of 118 patients with PsA and 974 patients with psoriasis without arthritis who visited St. Luke’s International Hospital (Tokyo, Japan) between July 2003 and February 2015. Patients with PsA were classified according to the Classification of Psoriatic Arthritis criteria. Skin lesion severity was assessed by the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index, and nine types of nail findings were investigated.

The incidence of nail involvement in patients with PsA was 67.6 percent. Female sex, presence of transverse grooves, onycholysis, and splinter hemorrhages were significantly related to PsA, with transverse grooves demonstrating the strongest association. The study was limited in that the PsA population was relatively small.