Lindsay S. Ackerman, MD, FAAD

Panelists discuss how the AHEAD recommendations establish evidence-based treatment targets requiring simultaneous achievement of skin clearance (Eczema Area and Severity Index [EASI]-90) and itch relief (itch score 0-1) within 3 to 6 months, fundamentally changing the standard of care by incorporating patient-reported outcomes alongside physician assessments.

AHEAD Recommendations: Overcoming Therapeutic Inertia to Achieve Treatment Targets

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The AHEAD (Aiming High in Eczema/Atopic Dermatitis) recommendations have established groundbreaking treatment targets that combine physician-reported outcomes with patient-reported outcomes for optimal atopic dermatitis management. These consensus guidelines, developed by 80 international experts across 40 countries, define minimal disease activity as achieving both EASI-90 (90% improvement in EASI) and itch scores of 0 to 1 simultaneously within 3 to 6 months of treatment initiation.

The treat-to-target approach addresses therapeutic inertia, a significant challenge in dermatology where clinicians may hesitate to switch treatments despite suboptimal outcomes. The AHEAD recommendations provide clear benchmarks for treatment success, emphasizing that visual skin improvement alone is insufficient if patients continue experiencing significant itch and quality-of-life impairment. This paradigm shift moves away from paternalistic medicine and toward patient-centered care that prioritizes symptoms most important to patients’ daily functioning.

Implementation of the AHEAD recommendations requires dermatologists to regularly assess both objective measures (skin clearance) and subjective experiences (itch, sleep disruption, psychological impact). The guidelines establish specific timelines for treatment evaluation and switching, providing clinicians with evidence-based criteria for therapeutic decisions. This systematic approach ensures patients achieve meaningful disease control rather than accepting partial responses that leave significant symptom burden unaddressed.

Videos

Panelists discuss how Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors represent a revolutionary advancement in atopic dermatitis treatment by targeting multiple cytokine pathways simultaneously at the intracellular level, offering broader therapeutic coverage than biologics that target only 1 or 2 specific cytokines.

Addressing the Heterogeneity of Atopic Dermatitis Through JAK Inhibition

JAK inhibitors represent a revolutionary advancement in atopic dermatitis treatment, offering superior efficacy compared with traditional biologic therapies. Unlike biologics that target specific cytokines outside the cell, JAK inhibitors work intracellularly at the final common pathway where multiple inflammatory signals converge. This mechanism allows them to address the heterogeneous nature of atopic dermatitis by simultaneously blocking various cytokines, including IL-4, IL-13, IL-31, Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), and interferons.

The therapeutic landscape for moderate to severe atopic dermatitis has evolved dramatically, with JAK inhibitors demonstrating faster onset of action and deeper penetration of disease control than previous treatments. Clinical trial data and network meta-analyses consistently show JAK inhibitors outperforming biologics in both speed of symptom relief and overall treatment outcomes. This superior performance stems from their ability to interrupt the JAK-STAT signaling pathway, preventing STAT phosphorylation and subsequent inflammatory gene transcription.

Health care providers now have a responsibility to understand and utilize JAK inhibition mechanisms to optimize patient outcomes. The heterogeneous presentation of atopic dermatitis, with varying phenotypic and genotypic expressions, requires treatment approaches that simultaneously address multiple inflammatory pathways. JAK inhibitors provide this comprehensive coverage, making them particularly valuable for patients with complex disease presentations or those who have not achieved adequate response with single-target biologic therapies.

Making the Switch in Atopic Dermatitis: Optimizing Treatment Targets With JAK Inhibitors 

The Medical Sisterhood: Empower Hour at AAD 2025

The latest episode of The Medical Sisterhood, recorded live at the 

American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) 2025 Annual Meeting

, brings together host Mona Shahriari, MD, assistant clinical professor of dermatology at the Yale University School of Medicine and the associate director of clinical trials at Central Connecticut Dermatology Research, and guests Latanya Benjamin, MD, and Lindsay Ackerman, MD.

Ackerman is known for her work as a dermatologist and the founder of Medical Dermatology Specialists Phoenix, now a part of US Dermatology Partners. Benjamin is known for her work as a pediatric dermatologist, former professor of medicine at Stanford University, and the owner of her practice Young Skin.

Shahriari, Benjamin, and Ackerman held an inspiring conversation on leadership, mentorship, and the evolving role of women in dermatology. The discussion highlights personal journeys, overcoming professional hurdles, and fostering a culture of empowerment for the next generation of female dermatologists.

Ackerman shares her passion for complex medical dermatology and the deep fulfillment she finds in patient care and mentorship. She introduces Skintelegent Productions, an initiative dedicated to sharing patient stories and raising awareness of dermatology’s critical role in medicine. She discusses the challenges of launching this project, including financial and logistical hurdles, but underscores the importance of staying the course and embracing discomfort to drive change.

Benjamin, a pediatric dermatologist and the outgoing Women’s Dermatologic Society (WDS) President reflects on her unexpected leadership journey. She candidly shares the behind-the-scenes challenges of running an organization, supporting members through personal and professional struggles, and advocating for mental health and mentorship initiatives. Her presidency prioritized listening to members, fostering inclusivity, and pushing for meaningful change in the dermatologic community.

The conversation delves into the unique challenges women face in medicine, including gender bias, being underestimated, and navigating professional interactions. Dr. Shahriari shares her experiences advocating for herself and others, emphasizing the importance of amplifying female voices in male-dominated spaces. The panelists encourage young dermatologists to take risks, push boundaries, and surround themselves with strong mentors.

A recurring theme is the power of intentionality—understanding that every "yes" comes at the cost of something else. The panelists urge women in dermatology to prioritize their passions, set boundaries, and uplift one another. They emphasize that true success is not about doing everything but about making a meaningful impact where it matters most.

This engaging discussion offers invaluable insights into the power of sisterhood, resilience, and redefining success in dermatology.

Want to join The Medical Sisterhood community? Click here to join our LinkedIn Group!

Editor's note: This summary was created with the help of artificial intelligence.

Podcasts

Latanya Benjamin, MD, and Lindsay Ackerman, MD, joins The Medical Sisterhood in a live recording at AAD 2025 to discuss advocacy, mentorship, and empowerment.


A group of 9 experts reflect on what they are looking forward to most in 2025 following the AAD annual meeting. 

Expert Perspectives: Dermatology's Top Story to Watch in 2025

Although nearly all medical professionals can point to a “flagship” meeting or annual conference for their specialty, few serve the same role as or measure up to what the 

American Academy of Dermatology annual meeting

A testament to the draw and magnitude of the AAD’s annual showcase, the 2025 annual meeting, which was held in Orlando, Florida, from March 07-11, 2025, had more than 20,000 registered attendees. In addition to being the field’s largest meeting, one of the unique aspects of the AAD annual meeting is its placement on the calendar. While many organizations opt for end of year or mid-year meetings, the AAD annual meeting typically occurs in Q1 and, for many, sets the tone for the remainder of the year.

With this in mind, the editorial team of HCPLive Dermatology included a simple question on the end of our interviews from the meeting with 9 leading subject matter experts in dermatology: “What is going to be the most important storyline to watch for dermatology for the rest of 2025?”

In the above video, we highlight the perspectives of these experts. Below, you can find a brief summary of the backgrounds and expertise of each individual included in this feature video.

, is a professor and vice chair for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the Perelman School of Medicine. She also serves as president of the American Academy of Dermatology.

, is chairman at Innovaderm Research. He is also the principal investigator of the ICONIC-LEAD trial, which was presented at AAD 2025.

, is a dermatologist and internal medicine specialist with Riverchase Dermatology.

, is an associate professor of Dermatology for the USC Keck School of Medicine. She is the founding director of the USC Skin of Color and Pigmentary Disorders Program and also the president of the Skin of Color Society.

, is the owner of Medical Dermatology Specialists, chief of inpatient dermatology at BannerHealth, and the founder of US Dermatology Partners.

, is a dermatologist and the medical director at the SKiN Centre for Dermatology.

, is an associate professor in dermatology at the Yale School of Medicine.

, is the director of the Advanced Acne Therapeutics Clinic at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital and the co-chair of the American Academy of Dermatology Acne Guidelines Work Group.

, is vice chair of research in dermatology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and director of the Mark Lebwohl Center for Neuroinflammation and Sensation.

Lindsay S. Ackerman, MD, FAAD

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