The Future of Dermatology

Summary:

Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) is one of dermatology's most complex and underrecognized conditions and the treatment landscape is changing fast. In this episode, Dr. Faranak Kamangar sits down with Dr. Hadar Lev-tov, Associate Professor at the University of Miami, Director of the Wound Healing Fellowship, and Immediate Past President of the Hidradenitis Suppurativa Foundation, for a rapid-fire review of everything happening in the HS world right now.

Dr. Lev-tov covers the currently approved therapies, the exciting drugs moving through Phase 3 trials, and the groundbreaking science linking microplastics to HS inflammation. He also shares his candid take on GLP-1s in HS management and what the future of dermatology looks like when treatments work so well that doctors can finally focus on the whole patient.

Whether you're a resident just learning HS or a seasoned dermatologist trying to keep up with a fire-hose pipeline, this one is for you.

Topics Covered:

- Approved HS biologics: bimekizumab, secukinumab, adalimumab & biosimilars

Resources Mentioned:

- https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-65789-7 

This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider.

Key Takeaways:

1. Validate HS patients the moment they walk in. They've often been dismissed or bounced between providers for years. Simply saying "I understand what you're going through" builds trust immediately and makes the visit more productive.

2. The approved HS treatment arsenal is growing. Bimekizumab and secukinumab (IL-17 inhibitors) are now approved, and adalimumab — including biosimilars — remains a valuable option. Clinical experts are using biosimilars with confidence.

3. Subcutaneous infliximab is an emerging option. Available off-label in the US, new data from French centers shows a protocol: standard IV induction at weeks 0, 2, and 6, then switching to subcutaneous injections every two weeks at week 10 — but only once the patient is in strong remission.

4. Three major drugs are in or completing Phase 3 trials. Remibrutinib (BTK inhibitor, already approved for chronic spontaneous urticaria), povorcitinib (JAK1 inhibitor), and sonelokimab (a nanobody targeting IL-17A and IL-17F) are all reporting promising results and moving toward FDA application.

5. Nanobodies are a technology to watch. Derived from camelid antibody fragments, nanobodies like sonelokimab can be engineered to target multiple pathways simultaneously in a smaller, more modular molecule — expect to see them across dermatology.

6. Half-life extenders could mean one injection per year. Already emerging in psoriasis, these extended-dosing biologics are heading toward HS — a potential game-changer for patient adherence.

7. CAR T-cell therapy may one day cure inflammatory skin disease. Currently being studied in lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, the protocols are becoming more practical, and the technology is edging toward dermatology.

8. Microplastics may potentiate HS inflammation. A Nature Communications paper by Dr. Luis Garza (Hopkins) found that plastic-associated endocrine disruptors block nicastrin in fibroblasts, amplifying HS-related inflammation. This doesn't prove causation, but it reveals a meaningful environmental link — and highlights the underappreciated role of fibroblasts in HS scarring.

9. GLP-1s in HS: promising but not proven as monotherapy. There's no RCT yet. Dr. Levtov's clinical approach: stabilize HS with a biologic first, then consider adding a GLP-1 as part of a comprehensive plan that includes diet and resistance training. He has seen outcomes go both ways.

10. The HS Foundation is an underutilized resource. Their website offers a clinic finder, wound care referral service, prior authorization templates (one-click Word documents), research grants, the HS Academy (free, all-expenses-paid weekend for residents), and career development awards in partnership with the Dermatology Foundation.

Chapters:

0:00 – Introduction & Dr. Lev-tov's Background

📋 Summary:

Dr. Kamangar shares exciting updates happening this summer, including the opening of her new Palo Alto practice in August, the upcoming SF Derm 2026 conference (August 28–30 at the Four Seasons Silicon Valley in Palo Alto), and the explosive growth of DermGPT, her AI tool built specifically for dermatologists and derm providers. She also celebrates her recognition on the Inc. Female Founders 500 list for her work in health tech AI.

The conversation covers what makes this podcast stand out - a steadfast commitment to evidence-based, science-forward dermatology content - and looks ahead to the future, including expanding the guest roster geographically, a possible move into short-form content, and a growing focus on AI in dermatology.

Whether you're a longtime listener or just discovering the show, this episode is a candid, energetic look at what's been built and what's coming next.

Register for SF Derm 2026! https://www.sfderm.org/

✅ Key Takeaways:

1. The podcast has grown organically to become a top dermatology-facing show. With 130+ episodes, 40,000+ total plays, and over 700 monthly downloads across Spotify, Apple, and YouTube - all without paid promotion or leaderboard platforms - the Future of Dermatology has become one of the most listened-to dermatology podcasts available.

2. Staying science-first has been the secret to longevity. Dr. Kamangar and Steph emphasize that resisting the temptation to chase trending or sensational topics in favor of solid, evidence-based science is what built a loyal, engaged audience of dermatologists, providers, and interested listeners.

3. SF Derm 2026 is shaping up to be the biggest one yet. The conference runs August 28–30 at the Four Seasons Silicon Valley in Palo Alto. Highlights include a tech-forward AI and derm panel featuring physicians from Stanford and Harvard, a metabolic and HS/vulvar disease panel, a hormones talk by an OB-GYN, grand rounds, resident jeopardy, and a Saturday night "1001 Nights" themed party.

4. DermGPT has reached over 23,000 dermatology providers - with more than 5,000 using it regularly - built by a team of just three people with no marketing budget. Dr. Kamangar built this tool out of a recognized need: dermatology makes up less than 2% of the house of medicine, making it an overlooked target for health tech development, yet burnout from administrative burden is high.

5. AI is about giving doctors time back, not replacing them. The episode makes a compelling case that AI tools like DermGPT are most valuable not for replacing clinical judgment, but for reducing "pajama time" - the hours physicians spend on documentation and inbox management after hours - so they can focus on the work they're most passionate about.

6. The podcast has begun influencing larger media. A patient episode on atopic dermatitis caught the attention of Time Health, who reached out to feature the guest. This kind of organic mainstream crossover validates the show's mission to bring credible dermatology science to wider audiences.

7. There are dermatology deserts across the U.S. The episode briefly touches on geographic disparities in dermatology access, with Steph noting the growing need for telehealth solutions. Dr. Kamangar acknowledges the podcast's current West Coast bias and invites listeners to recommend guests from underrepresented regions.

🕐 Chapters:

Summary:

In this episode of the Future of Dermatology podcast, host Dr. Faranak Kamangar sits down with Dr. Haley Naik, board-certified dermatologist, professor at UCSF, and Stanford and Harvard-trained expert, for a timely and eye-opening conversation on two major fronts: the rapidly evolving treatment landscape for Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) and the critical California state legislation that could reshape how dermatologists practice and how patients access care.

Dr. Naik opens with exciting updates in the HS space, including the three currently FDA-approved therapies and two promising agents anticipated to cross the finish line by 2027. She also shares a major advocacy win: HS has been designated a highlighted research topic by the NIH across three institutes, opening a one-year funding window starting April 7, 2026 that researchers should act on now.

The conversation then dives deep into the broken prior authorization system, with striking data points: 25% of dermatology visits require prior auth, 75% of denial letters have no listed decision maker, and the average dermatology practice spends $40,000 per year staffing for prior authorizations. Against this backdrop, Dr. Naik breaks down three California bills - two to support and one to oppose - that directly affect how dermatologists can care for their patients.

Whether you're a dermatologist, researcher, or patient advocate, this episode is packed with actionable information, from NIH grant deadlines to how to contact your state representative before late June voting deadlines.

Learn more and take action:

🔔 Subscribe for more episodes on the latest in dermatology science, innovation, and advocacy.

⚠️ This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider.

Key Takeaways:

1. Three FDA-Approved HS Therapies Now Available Adalimumab, Secukinumab, and Bimzelx (bimekizumab) are currently FDA-approved for Hidradenitis Suppurativa, giving clinicians meaningful treatment options that didn't exist before 2015.

Chapters:

00:00 – Welcome & Introduction to Dr. Haley Naik

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Summary:

Fresh off her two talks at the AAD Annual Meeting in Denver, Dr. Faranak Kamangar, Inc. 2026 Female Founders 500, shares her reflections and the buzz from the conference floor. In this episode - part two of her AAD AI series - she dives deep into agentic AI workflows: what they are, why they matter for dermatology, and how they can realistically transform the day-to-day burden of clinical practice.

Dr. Kamangar unpacks the history of physician-led digitization that made healthcare AI possible, explores the evolution from simple chatbots to true agentic systems, and walks through concrete use cases, from prior authorizations and scheduling to AI scribes, patient education, and social media management. She also breaks down a green/yellow/red light framework for knowing which workflows are safe to hand off to AI today versus which ones still require physician oversight. The through line: AI isn't here to replace the human touch, it's here to reclaim the five extra hours physicians spend on administrative work every single day.

Whether you're already using AI tools or just starting your journey, this episode is a practical, energizing roadmap for building a more sustainable dermatology practice.

Chapters:

00:00 – Introduction & Women Podcasters Network nomination

Summary:

Dr. Faranak Kamangar, Inc. 2026 Female Founders 500, is podcasting from from AAD 2026, and sharing the highlights from her live talk on artificial intelligence in dermatology. In this solo episode, she breaks down the most important AI updates dermatologists need to know right now. From image-based melanoma detection to large language models and the rise of agentic AI. Dr. Kamangar covers the current state of FDA-approved AI medical devices, why diagnostic imaging AI is promising but still limited by specificity gaps, and how dermatology compares to radiology and other specialties in the AI device space. She also dives into why LLMs like DermGPT should be your highest-leverage clinical tool, and how to use them the right way. You'll learn how to avoid common AI pitfalls like the "journal halo effect" (just because it cites a prestigious journal doesn't mean the output is accurate), semantic degradation in RAG models, and over-relying on AI without clinical scrutiny. Most importantly, Dr. Kamangar walks through the anatomy of a high-quality prompt, because your output is only as good as what you put in. Whether you're AI-curious or already using these tools in your practice, this episode is packed with practical, evidence-informed pearls to help you work smarter, not harder.

Key Takeaways:

1. Image-based melanoma detection AI is improving rapidly but still struggles with low specificity, making it most valuable for global health and underserved regions.

Chapters:

Summary:

Dr. Faranak Kamangar, Inc. 2026 Female Founders 500, sits down with dermatologist, podcaster, and self-described "accelerationist" Dr. Matthew Zirwas (Derms on Drugs Podcast) for a wide-ranging conversation about where AI is taking medicine and dermatology in particular. They dig into the flood of low-quality medical literature overwhelming the field, why AI isn't quite the truth-detector we hoped it would be, and how ambient AI scribes are quietly training the models that may eventually replace us. Dr. Zirwas makes the case that dermatologists have a 7–10 year runway before AI handles most of what we do cognitively, and argues that's not necessarily a bad thing. He also gives a sneak peek at his upcoming speculative fiction trilogy, Sophie, which explores the philosophical questions that arise when an AI becomes better at being your doctor, therapist, and life coach than any human ever could.

Key Takeaways:

Chapters:

Summary

In this episode, Dr. Faranak Kamangar explores the impact of AI on dermatology with Dr. Steven Feldman. This conversation includes AI's potential to enhance or replace certain aspects of medical practice, and the future of AI in healthcare.

Takeaways

- AI's potential to replace or augment dermatologists

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction to AI's Role in Dermatology

Summary

In this episode, Dr. Faranak Kamangar chats with Dr. James Kilgour about the science behind Kilgour MD's innovative scalp and hair products. They discuss the ingredients, clinical trials, and future developments in hair health and dermatology.

Key Topics

- Ingredients and science behind Kilgour MD products

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction and Guest Credibility

Summary

In this episode of the Future of Dermatology podcast, Dr. Faranak Kamangar and Dr. Peter Lio discuss significant advancements in dermatology, including the recent approval of an ICD 10 code for topical steroid withdrawal, the exploration of botanicals in skin treatment, and the emerging understanding of the gut-skin connection. They also delve into the role of GLP medications in managing skin conditions and the exciting future developments in dermatology, particularly in the treatment of atopic dermatitis.

Read the referenced documents at the following sites:

Takeaways

- The CDC has approved an ICD 10 code for topical steroid withdrawal.

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction to Dermatology Innovations

Summary

In this episode of the Future of Dermatology podcast, Dr. Faranak Kamangar speaks with Dr. Garrett Coman about the integration of AI in dermatology, the challenges of high patient volumes, and effective communication strategies in a busy practice. They discuss the importance of efficient workflows, the role of AI in reducing administrative burdens, and the need for dermatologists to focus on patient care rather than paperwork. Dr. Coman shares insights from his high-volume practice and emphasizes the importance of having a supportive team to manage patient communication and documentation effectively.

Takeaways

- Dr. Coman manages a high-volume dermatology practice with 30-34 patients daily.

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction to Dermatology and AI Innovations