On the Heels of SOCU—Five Minutes With Co-Chair Eliot F. Battle, MD
Welcome back, MedscapeLIVE! Dermatology readers! A lot has happened this year in dermatology, and the recent Skin of Color Update connected attendees with many of these topics and research findings that can already be implemented into your clinical practice.
Dr. Eliot Battle, who served as Co-Chair of the recent Skin of Color Update, is the CEO and co-founder of Cultura Dermatology & Plastic Surgery in Washington, DC. Dr. Battle is not only sought out by patients from all over the world because of his expertise, but also by physicians who are seeking advanced training. A National Institute of Health research scholar, Dr. Battle’s NIH work at Harvard two decades ago helped spearhead both the research into safe and effective devices for skin of color and industry’s interest and support in treating skin of color. To then have him as the Co-Chair of our Skin of Color Update conference is an honor. Here Dr. Battle shares with readers pearls he provided at SOCU, as well as a pearl or two he took away from the meeting himself. We are very grateful to Dr. Battle for taking the time to share critical SOCU takeaways. Scroll down to read!
Don’t miss this month’s Derm Resource section—which includes articles from JAMA Dermatology, Dermatology News, Cutis, NEJM and more.
Thank you again to Dr. Battle for sharing his time and perspective. Please contact me at colleen@cmhadvisors.com with comments or suggestions, and thanks for reading!—Colleen Hutchinson
Five Minutes with Co-Chair Eliot F. Battle, MD
Notable SOCU presentation that attendees can immediately use to implement into practice for improved outcomes:
Dr. Desai's melasma presentation—priceless!
Critical takeaways from your SOCU presentation, Tackling Complex Pigmentation and Scarring Challenges With Energy-Based Devices:
There were many takeaways, but some of the key ones were the following:
- To determine the treatment options, it is imperative to have an accurate diagnosis of the lesion or condition.
- Successfully treating pigmentary and scarring disorders often requires combining cosmeceuticals, prescriptions, and spa and laser/energy-based devices.
- Use conservative parameters when treating patients with skin of color because each patient encounter is a unique encounter.
Interesting question posed at SOCU to the Ask Me Anything! Panel(s):
Which lasers should I have in my practice?
Additional data is required to appropriately start to answer that question:
- What is your patient's demographics?
- What treatments are they requesting?
- What treatments do you want to perform in your practice?
- Who will be performing laser treatments in your practice?
- How many laser treatment rooms will you have and how many practitioners?
- What is your financial situation? What are you willing to spend?
Pearls from your presentation, The Art of Treating Skin of Color With Lasers & Energy-Based Devices:
- This usually starts with the consultation, where you must gain the patient's trust and confidence in you and your practice.
- It continues with your practice's environment.
- Do patients of color feel welcomed when they walk in and sit in the waiting room?
- Do they see themselves in your practitioners and staff. Do you have employees with skin of color?
- Do your before and afters have examples of skin of color patients?
- Do your patients see themselves in your marketing and website?
- Make sure you have treatment expertise in:
- Laser hair removal
- Pigmented lesion and complexion improvement treatments
- Skin rejuvenation and anti-aging procedures
- Make sure you purchase the appropriate energy-based device that is safe and efficacious in treating skin of color.
Something critical you learned at SOCU:
A better understanding of exosomes, particularly the use of exosomes in skin of color.
Need CME?
We’ve got you covered! Check out some CME conference opportunities and get your CME requirements lined up:
ODAC Dermatology, Aesthetic & Surgical Conference | January 17 - 20, 2025 | Orlando, FL
Join us for an unparalleled experience at one of dermatology’s leading events! ODAC goes beyond traditional lectures—it's a personalized, interactive learning journey built around you.
Discover tailored breakout sessions and immersive hands-on workshops that let you create a custom agenda matching your clinical interests and your practice’s unique goals.Whether you're refining procedural skills, staying current with the latest clinical guidelines, or exploring cutting-edge aesthetic innovations, ODAC is where your next step in dermatology begins.
Use code DERM2025 for 30% off. Register Now!
Challenging Medical Dermatology Cases: A Case-Based Conversation With the Experts | November 11, 2025 | Free, Virtual Symposium
The ODAC Virtual Pre-Conference Symposium returns this November with an all-new lineup of compelling cases and expert insights in medical dermatology. Designed for clinicians who love tackling diagnostic challenges and learning through real-world scenarios, this interactive, case-based event—moderated by ODAC Co-Chair Dr. Adam Friedman—offers a dynamic preview of the ODAC experience.
Dive into practical, case-driven discussions on hyperhidrosis, chronic itch, hidradenitis suppurativa, and pediatric alopecia areata. Each session features expert commentary, lively panel dialogue, and audience Q&A—delivering actionable pearls you can apply immediately in practice.
Register today for this free, virtual symposium!
Pigmentary Disorders Exchange Symposium | June 6 - 7, 2026 | Chicago, IL
The 4th Annual Pigmentary Disorders Exchange (PDE) Symposium will bring together world-renowned dermatology experts for an in-depth exploration of pigmentary disorders and the lasting pigmentary sequelae left behind by inflammatory skin conditions.
Over the course of two days, our faculty will explore the pathogenesis, clinical presentation, and cutting-edge treatment strategies for primary pigmentary disorders (e.g., melasma, vitiligo), including congenital conditions and acquired dermal macular hyperpigmentation; secondary pigmentary disorders (e.g., post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and hypopigmentation); as well as dyschromias of photoaging-all across the full spectrum of skin types
Use code DERM2025 for 30% off. Save Your Seat!
Dermatology Resource Section
NEJM Editorial: Changing Role of Adjuvant Therapy in Stage III Melanoma
Medscape Medical News: What the AI Bubble Is Doing to Healthcare
Dermatology News MedBrief: Dermatologic Symptoms Tied to Worse Outcomes in Psychosis
JAMA Dermatology Editorial— Nicotinamide for Skin Cancer Chemoprevention
Loading ...