Top Acne Stories from DERM 2025 NP/PA Conference

Acne, a common skin condition resulting from the clogging of hair follicles under the skin, is often prevalent during puberty and adolescence. The common condition often results from hormonal changes but can impact patients of all ages.

In this summary of top stories in the acne management space, the HCPLive editorial team highlights a variety of coverage of acne-related content from the Dermatology Education Foundation (DERM) 2025 NP/PA CME Conference, in Las Vegas, Nevada. This list is designed to provide an overview of the most notable acne-focused interviews conducted at the DERM 2025 conference:

Advice on Systemic Therapy Use in Pediatric Acne, with Lisa Swanson, MD

In one acne-focused interview, HCPLive spoke with Lisa A. Swanson, MD, about her conference presentation titled ‘Systemic Therapy for the Pediatric Acne Patient.’ Swanson is known for her work as a dual-board-certified dermatologist and pediatric dermatologist at Ada West Dermatology. She touched on some of the major points highlighted in her session, including clinical pearls on the use of systemic therapy for acne in young patients.

One point Swanson made during the interview was regarding providing oral contraceptive pills both to treat acne and when a patient is beginning to use a medicine for which they should not be getting pregnant. She also spoke about demystifying isotretinoin by discussing its benefits and addressing the stigma associated with it.

Tips for Dealing with Parents as a Clinician in Dermatology, with Lisa Swanson, MD

In another interview with Lisa A. Swanson, MD, the challenges of dealing with parents of pediatric patients with acne was highlighted, with Swanson emphasizing the necessity of adaptability and understanding parental priorities. She advocated for a technique described as "gentle persistent persuasion," with gradual introduction of the idea of treatments such as isotretinoin or dupilumab to parents who are initially hesitant.

“Sometimes, particularly in the teenage age group, you will encounter a situation where you've presented a list of options to a patient and their family, and the teenager vocalizes that they want to go one way, and the parent vocalizes very strongly that they would want to go another way,” Swanson expressed. “In these situations, I try to find a point of compromise. I try to agree with both sides. I'll say to the teen, ‘Of course, you are troubled by your acne. I understand that it poses a daily problem for you as you try to go to school, and you're feeling less confident and self-conscious about your acne. I completely understand that, and I think that can be a good reason to perhaps pursue a more aggressive choice like isotretinoin...I might say, ‘I also see your side’ [to the parents].”

Forever Chemicals and Microplastics in Dermatology, with Michelle Hure, MD

There is an often-cited connection between the microbiome and one’s skin health, with concerns over forever chemicals and microplastics being commonly pointed to as culprits of skin barrier dysregulation. These topics of interest for many clinicians and patients were featured in an interview at DERM 2025 with Michelle Hure, MD, a dermatologist and dermatopathologist who also serves as the President and CEO of OC SkinLab.

“It's really important to understand how we need to have that symbiotic relationship and prevent the dysbiosis, which is basically throwing off that balance with some of the things that we actually do to our patients and that iatrogenic sort of thing that we do to the patients with either products that we're putting on their skin or the medications that we're giving them,” Hure said. “Understanding that you really want to make sure that you're not stripping your skin, that you're not kind of overdoing it with skincare. Less is more.”

Discussing Skincare Secrets and Quick Fixes, with Suneel Chilukuri, MD

Suneel Chilukuri, MD, was featured in another interview that touched on topics such as acne scars. Chilukuri spoke about the biggest takeaways from his session ‘Skincare Secrets and Quick Fixes.’ Chilukuri, a board-certified dermatologic surgeon for Refresh Dermatology, touched on emerging skincare trends and the unregulated use of products like polynucleotides (pN), poly platelet-derived growth factors (PDGF), poly deoxyribonucleotides (pDRN), and exosomes. Such substances, which are often injected, were described by Chilukuri to show promise in improving scar texture and collagen production but lack regulatory approval.

“We can decrease contracture,” Chilukuri explained. “We can improve the production of type 3 collagen, and also regulate the conversion of type 1 collagen, so instead of looking like little bundles of scar tissue underneath the skin, it looks like a proper collagen formation that we would have as children.”

For more from DERM 2025, view the latest conference coverage.

References

1. Swanson L. Systemic Therapy for the Pediatric Acne Patient. Presented at DERM 2025 NP PA CME Conference; July 23-26, 2025; Las Vegas, Nevada.

2. Hure M. Surfing the Toxic Stew: Forever Chemicals and Microplastics in Dermatology. Presented at DERM 2025 NP PA CME Conference; July 23-26, 2025; Las Vegas, Nevada.

3. Chilukuri S. Skincare Secrets and Quick Fixes. Presented at DERM 2025 NP PA CME Conference; July 23-26, 2025; Las Vegas, Nevada.