Dr. Whitney Tolpinrud, chief dermatologist at Curology, recently addressed the evolution of personalized prescription skin care and the changing landscape of patient expectations in an interview with Dermatology Times. She highlighted how teledermatology is helping clinicians provide tailored treatment options that go beyond traditional over-the-counter products and standard prescriptions.
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Curology, which launched in 2014, originally focused on simplifying acne treatment by combining multiple prescription active ingredients into a single formula. Tolpinrud explained that this approach not only simplifies routines but also allows treatments to be adapted based on individual patient needs. The platform has since expanded its offerings to include concerns such as skin aging, rosacea, post-acne marks, and androgenetic alopecia.
A key feature of Curology’s model is customizing both the ingredients and their concentrations according to a patient’s specific needs. For instance, rather than relying on commercially available strengths, clinicians can adjust tretinoin strength to suit each patient's tolerance, promoting a gentler introduction to retinoids or varying treatment intensities.
Tolpinrud also discussed the impact of increased access to skincare information, facilitated by social media and technology. This has shifted patient expectations, with many seeking quick results from their treatments. "One of the common challenges we face is the expectation that therapy will yield immediate improvement," she noted, pointing out instances where patients express concerns after just two days of using a new formula.
She emphasized the importance of patient education, stating that healthcare providers play a role in informing patients about timelines for improvement and the necessity of adhering to treatment plans. Tolpinrud described teledermatology's asynchronous nature as beneficial, allowing patients to absorb written recommendations from their providers and ask follow-up questions at their own pace.
Furthermore, an emerging issue in dermatology is the rise in Pityrosporum folliculitis, which mimics traditional acne but is often caused by Malassezia yeast. This condition has become more prevalent with increased heat and sweating during summer months. Tolpinrud highlighted the importance of distinguishing between this condition and conventional acne, suggesting that incorporating ingredients like zinc into treatment regimens could be effective for these cases.
Looking forward, Tolpinrud sees the trend towards personalized prescription dermatology as indicative of a broader shift in patient expectations, where individualized care is becoming the norm. As more patients access information about their skin conditions, they will increasingly seek treatments tailored specifically to their unique needs and goals.