Garcia-Albea, who serves as director of the nurse practitioner (NP) training program in dermatology, assistant director of the Hair Loss Center for Excellence, and lead NP of the Hansen’s Disease Program at Lahey Clinic in Burlington, Massachusetts, highlighted the growing role of low-dose oral minoxidil across various alopecia subtypes. She emphasized its favorable safety profile, even at doses as low as 0.625 mg daily, and encouraged clinicians to become comfortable prescribing it, noting that cardiac clearance can be obtained when indicated. Garcia-Albea shared that she frequently uses oral minoxidil in both adult and pediatric patients, describing it as a well-tolerated foundational therapy for most hair loss conditions.

She also discussed her experience using JAK inhibitors, both topical and oral, in managing frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA), a scarring alopecia often diagnosed at advanced stages. While current use remains off-label, Garcia-Albea expressed optimism about ongoing research that could lead to labeled indications, underscoring the efficacy of JAK inhibition in mitigating inflammation and halting progression in this difficult-to-treat condition.

In reviewing conference abstracts, Garcia-Albea noted a surge of data on thiamidol, a topical agent for hyperpigmentation marketed by Eucerin. She cited strong safety and efficacy data supporting its over-the-counter use for melasma and other facial pigmentary disorders, calling it an accessible and practical adjunct to dermatologist-directed regimens.

Finally, Garcia-Albea addressed renewed clinical attention toward chronic hand eczema, a condition often underrecognized despite its burden on patients. She pointed to delgocitinib, a topical JAK1 inhibitor, as a promising new therapy demonstrating efficacy and tolerability in emerging studies.

Through her sessions, Garcia-Albea emphasized the continued evolution of topical and systemic options that broaden clinicians’ therapeutic armamentarium across inflammatory and pigmentary skin diseases.

References

Garcia-Ablea V. Novel advances in alopecia. Presented at: 2025 Elevate-Derm Fall Conference; November 13-16, 2025; Tampa, FL.Garcia-Ablea V. A review of abstract submissions. Presented at: 2025 Elevate-Derm Fall Conference; November 13-16, 2025; Tampa, FL