In this episode of Cutaneous Miscellaneous, host Nicholas Brownstone, MD, welcomes David Osborne, PhD, an industry expert in topical drug formulation, for an in-depth discussion on formulations and compounding in dermatology.

Dr Brownstone begins with a board review on the structure and function of the epidermis, covering the 5 layers of the skin and key cellular junctions, with mnemonic tips to aid retention.

In the main segment, Drs Brownstone and Osborne explore the fundamentals of topical formulation, including principles of localized drug delivery, ingredient selection, and the role of Fick’s law in product diffusion. Dr Osborne shares insights on formulation challenges, selecting the right solvents and excipients, and key considerations such as ingredient stability, packaging, and accurate measurement of actives.

The episode wraps up with practical pearls for dermatologists interested in product development, including which ingredients to avoid. Tune in for a high-yield, practical discussion!

In this live-recorded episode of Cutaneous Miscellaneous, host Nicholas Brownstone, MD, is joined by Danielle Dubin, MD, assistant professor and assistant program director in the department of dermatology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, and Leena Ramani, MD, hair transplant fellow and dermatologist at Advanced Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery, for a dynamic discussion recorded at the Real World Dermatology For Residents Conference at the Sahara Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.  

They share key insights on how the APPLIED exam differs from the CORE Exam, offering strategies for tackling second-order, management-focused questions. The group also highlights their favorite study resources, including the Anki deck based on Review of Dermatology by Alikhan and Hocker, Boards University, and their preferred dermatopathology review resource. High-yield topics discussed include which question bank should be used, effective pathology study techniques, and tips for avoiding overstudying. 

The episode wraps up with words of encouragement, and even a lighthearted chat about their ideal Vegas night out. Whether you’re preparing for the APPLIED exam or simply curious about the exam residents need to take to become board certified in dermatology, this episode is packed with practical advice and insider tips you don’t want to miss. 

In this episode of Cutaneous Miscellaneous, host Nicholas Brownstone, MD, welcomes Aamir Hussain, MD, to discuss high-yield strategies for dermatology exam prep.

They start with a board review on contact dermatitis, covering key allergens like paraphenylenediamine, methylisothiazolinone and methylchloroisothiazolinone, propylene glycol, and bacitracin. Dr Hussain shares a structured approach to studying allergens, including memorizing the last 5 years of "Allergen of the Year" and the T.R.U.E. TEST’s 36 most common allergens.

They then break down exam timelines and study strategies, using insights from Dr Hussain’s recent publication. from the BASIC exam in PGY-2 to the 4 CORE board exams in PGY-3. They share tips on prioritizing sections and using the best textbooks, atlases, question banks, and digital tools, as well as touch on the value of in-person and virtual review courses and how to maximize free resident resources.

Tune in to the episode for high-yield pearls and a structured approach to acing your dermatology exams!

In this episode of Cutaneous Miscellaneous, host Nicholas Brownstone, MD, is joined by dermatologist and dermatopathologist Michelle Tarbox, MD, to break down a crucial resident skill: dermoscopy.

They kick things off with practical board review on the busy dermis and vacuolar interface patterns, covering how to build a differential, what features not to miss (hello, sneaky metastases), and how to work through normal-looking slides that may not be so normal after all.

Then they dive into dermoscopy, discussing how to learn it, how to use it in clinic, and why it’s become the dermatologist’s equivalent of a stethoscope. Dr. Tarbox shares real clinical cases—including melanoma masqueraders, foreign body imposters, and heart-shaped seborrheic keratoses—with image-by-image insights on what to look for and why.

Whether you're prepping for boards or aiming to sharpen your day-to-day diagnostic skills, this episode is packed with high-yield pearls and a few great analogies, too.

In this episode of Cutaneous Miscellaneous, host Nicholas Brownstone, MD, welcomes Theo Alkousakis, MD, to discuss an important topic not covered in dermatology training: how residents can navigate opportunities in the pharmaceutical industry.

They explore career pathways in industry, from medical affairs to R&D, and why some dermatologists make the transition. They also share practical ways to get involved, including advisory boards, speaker programs, and clinical trials, while offering guidance on building credibility, networking at conferences, and finding mentors, even in programs with industry restrictions. Additionally, they highlight how to align industry opportunities with personal values and clinical practice to make ethical career decisions.

Finally, they break down what industry looks for when selecting dermatologists to work with and share strategies for positioning yourself for future opportunities.

Tune in to the full episode to learn how to start engaging with industry now—so you're ready to take advantage of opportunities post-residency!

In this episode of Cutaneous Miscellaneous, host Nicholas Brownstone, MD, welcomes Naiem Issa, MD, for an in-depth discussion on topical therapies in dermatology, covering both traditional treatments and the latest innovations, focusing on tapinarof and roflumilast.

The episode begins with a board review of eczematous and papulosquamous diseases, including CARP, asteatotic eczema, nummular dermatitis, and pityriasis rosea, highlighting key diagnostic clues, treatment approaches, and must-know information for residents.

They then explore the role of topical therapies in treating psoriasis and atopic dermatitis, emphasizing patient expectations, positioning treatments effectively, and the balance between topicals and systemic options. They provide insights into newer agents like tapinarof and roflumilast, discussing their mechanisms of action, clinical use, and combination strategies for enhanced efficacy.

The episode wraps up with practical pearls for residents, including how to navigate access issues, gain hands-on experience with new therapies, and stay updated on emerging therapies. Tune in for a high-yield discussion packed with clinical takeaways!

In this episode of Cutaneous Miscellaneous, host Nicholas Brownstone, MD, welcomes James Del Rosso, DO, to discuss the value of dermatology residents engaging with professional societies and how it can benefit their careers and patients.

They begin with a board review on topical and systemic retinoids, highlighting the common applications of the topicals tretinoin, adapalene, and tazarotene as well as an overview of systemic options like isotretinoin and acitretin.

They then discuss how residents can leverage professional societies, such as the American Acne and Rosacea Society and the National Psoriasis Foundation, to access networking opportunities, research grants, educational resources, and more. They explore how involvement in societies can support residents, provide resources for patients, and help dermatologists build connections and advance their careers.

Tune in to the full episode to learn how professional societies can support your journey through residency and beyond!

In this episode of Cutaneous Miscellaneous, host Nicholas Brownstone, MD, welcomes guest Stephanie Fabbro, MD, to explore the evolving role of artificial intelligence (AI) in dermatology, with practical applications for residents and early-career dermatologists.

They begin with a board review on cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) and its most common form, mycosis fungoides (MF), highlighting key diagnostic features, histological findings, and hypopigmented variants in skin of color. They explore treatment options and clinical pearls for CTCL variants like Sézary syndrome and lymphomatoid papulosis.

The discussion then transitions to AI’s potential to enhance the residency experience. Dr Fabbro shares insights on using AI for clinical differentials, board prep, and residency candidate selection. She offers practical tips on leveraging AI for time management, staying current with dermatologic research, and simplifying tasks like clinic notes and contract reviews.

Tune in to learn how AI can transform your residency experience and support your journey into dermatologic practice!

In this episode of Cutaneous Miscellaneous, host Nicholas Brownstone, MD, welcomes Brad Glick, DO, to cover to an essential topic for residents and early-career dermatologists: practical approaches for incorporating the latest therapies and technologies into clinical practice.

They begin with a board review on psoriatic arthritis. Dr Glick highlights the importance of early evaluation and preventive therapies, shares practical tips on critical questions to ask in clinic, and emphasizes utilizing screening tools to aid in diagnosis.

The conversation then shifts to integrating new therapies and technologies into clinical practice. Dr Glick shares insights on adapting to advancements, from targeted biologics to precision tools like the Mind.Px patch, which uses molecular profiling to help dermatologists select the most effective psoriasis treatments for a given patient.

Tune in to the full episode for an in-depth look at the evolving landscape of dermatologic care, from board review essentials to real-world strategies for residents looking to adopt breakthrough therapies and tools.

In this episode of Cutaneous Miscellaneous, Dr. Nicholas Brownstone welcomes Dr Peter Lio, founding director of the Chicago Integrative Eczema Center, to discuss the 3 FDA-approved biologics for atopic dermatitis, focusing on the latest addition, lebrikizumab.

With more options for atopic dermatitis come new challenges for clinicians. Dr Lio offers practical insights on differentiating dupilumab, tralokinumab, and lebrikizumab, all targeting the IL-4/13 pathways but with distinct binding and dosing characteristics. He explains his decision-making process for starting biologics, discusses patient education on safety, and provides valuable strategies for navigating insurance.

For residents, Dr Lio shares tips on gaining hands-on experience with biologics, staying updated on upcoming treatments like OX40 inhibitors, and key board review topics, including the differences in binding sites, side effects, and dosing protocols of these agents.

Tune in to the full episode for high-yield information and clinical pearls for dermatologists navigating the evolving landscape of atopic dermatitis treatments!

Need help keeping track of all the approved medications discussed in this episode? Check out our quick-reference chart that includes essential details on FDA-approved ages, dosing, and mechanisms of action for biologics in atopic dermatitis and psoriasis.