Hats Off to Cold Cap Therapy for Chemotherapy-Induced Hair Loss
Hair loss is one of the most visible and emotionally distressing side effects of chemotherapy, often impacting a patient’s identity, confidence, and sense of normalcy. While frequently overlooked in clinical priority, its psychological burden is profound. Cold cap therapy offers a proactive solution by cooling the scalp to reduce chemotherapy exposure to hair follicles, helping prevent hair loss before it begins. As oncology care evolves, preserving hair is becoming an important part of supporting patients holistically through treatment.
Hydroquinone for Hyperpigmentation: Is It Still the Gold Standard?
Hydroquinone has long been considered the gold standard for treating hyperpigmentation—but is it still the best option? In this article, Dr. Shannon Trotter explores why hydroquinone was removed from over-the-counter shelves, clears up common misconceptions about its safety, and explains how newer ingredients like thiamidol, azelaic acid, and tranexamic acid are expanding treatment options. Discover why personalized skincare and daily sun protection remain the keys to fading dark spots.
The Customer is Not Always Right: Why Healthcare is Different
“The customer is always right” doesn’t apply in healthcare. Patient-centered care isn’t about giving patients everything they ask for—it’s about partnering with them to make the safest, most evidence-based decisions. Sometimes the most important prescription is the confidence to say, ‘This isn’t the best choice for you—and here’s why.’ Learn more about navigating challenging patient conversations and evidence-based prescribing in Dr. Shannon Trotter’s latest discussion with Dr. Jim Del Rosso.
Bringing Hives Back to Dermatology
Chronic urticaria (hives) is often misunderstood as primarily an allergic condition, when in reality most cases have no identifiable trigger. While acute hives may be linked to allergies, infections, or medications, chronic spontaneous urticaria is typically driven by immune system dysregulation rather than a specific allergen. Advances in treatment have transformed management, shifting the focus from an often-fruitless search for triggers to effective disease control. Dermatologists are uniquely positioned to diagnose, manage, and improve quality of life for patients with chronic hives, making urticaria a condition that should remain firmly within the scope of dermatologic care.
Psoriasis: We’ve Come a Long Way
Psoriatic arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects up to 40% of people with psoriasis. Early recognition and treatment are critical to prevent irreversible joint damage, reduce systemic inflammation, and improve long-term quality of life. Dermatologists play an essential role in identifying symptoms early and coordinating comprehensive care that addresses both skin and joint health.
Food and Rashes: What’s Eating Your Skin?
I am a firm believer that you are what you eat. But what if the foods you’re munching on might be a cause of your rash because it had been on your skin before–sneaky huh? Often when we break out or have a rash, our immediate thought process is to blame something we ate and […]
Ink-Credible Facts: What Your Tattoo Artist Wants You To Know
Thinking about getting a tattoo? Not sure where to begin? It’s funny how many patients ask me, do you think it’s ok if I get a tattoo? It’s an awkward moment because I feel as if I am transitioning into a parent instead of their dermatologist. I usually tell them, “You should get a tattoo […]
No Shame, Just Skin: Common Vaginal and Vulvar Myths Busted
Women don’t often want to talk about it, but no surprise, the questions are there. “Why does my vaginal skin look dark?” or “When is vaginal itching a problem?” or “What is that smell down there?” Most of the time, women spend time and money trying to solve skin issues down there and their first […]
Get Naked and Get Your Skin Checked
A skin check might be something you’ve heard of before but weren’t sure what it is. It’s a simple screening measure that might save your life. Yes, you strip down to your birthday suit, sometimes with a dermatologist you just met, and let them look you over from head to toe, including the nooks and […]
Man in the Mirror: Facing Vitiligo
If you were an 80s kid or followed Motown, you probably remember the King of Pop—Michael Jackson (MJ). Although he was known for his music and dance moves, MJ also made headlines for his skin condition, vitiligo, and his legacy is still alive today. Vitiligo is a chronic skin condition and affects about 1% of […]