Dermatology
FAQ & Myths
Common skin diseases, OTC products, and the public's most frequent misconceptions — one topic at a time.
8 acne myths the public still believes
Squeeze it? Toothpaste spot? Chocolate causes acne? Adults can't get acne? Stronger creams = faster cure? Dry skin doesn't get acne?
8 sunscreen myths — indoors, cloudy days, SPF, mineral vs chemical
Skip indoors? Cloudy day off? Higher SPF always better? Mineral always wins? One application enough? Acne-causing? Dark skin doesn't burn?
7 melasma myths — laser, creams, rebound, pregnancy
Laser one-shot? Stronger creams better? Rebound after stopping? Men don't get it? Pregnancy melasma resolves? Includes ladder and SOP.
6 rosacea myths — not allergy, not mites, treatable
Caused by alcohol? It's allergy? A-acid for acne also works? Untreatable? Includes ladder and prescription chart.
7 hair loss myths — Minoxidil, Finasteride, transplant
Daily shedding = balding? Coloring causes loss? Hats? Minoxidil side effects? Alopecia areata = stress? One-shot transplant?
Complete acne-scar treatment guide — choosing among 4 atrophic, erythema, pigment, and hypertrophic scars
How to differentiate ice-pick, boxcar, rolling scars — full comparison of fractional laser, picosecond, TCA CROSS, subcision, hyaluronic acid plus expected timelines.
Alopecia areata complete guide — the JAK inhibitor era
SALT grading, intralesional steroid injection, baricitinib / ritlecitinib — TDA 2024 consensus.
Demodex and rosacea — TDA 2022 consensus complete guide
Ivermectin (Soolantra), permethrin, oral ivermectin, botulinum toxin microinjection — complete treatment comparison.
Vitiligo complete guide — the JAK inhibitor era
Segmental vs non-segmental classification, ruxolitinib (Opzelura), NB-UVB, 308 nm excimer — TDA 2024 consensus.
Topical steroid complete guide — 7-level potency, FTU, TCI comparison
How to differentiate steroid potency, which level for face, fingertip unit calculation, TCI explained.
Dermatology biologics + targeted therapy overview — mechanism, frequency, cost
Dupilumab, IL-17/23, JAK inhibitors, adalimumab full comparison — indications and NHI criteria.
Whitening agents complete review — 8 ingredients, mechanism, concentration, safe use
Hydroquinone, tranexamic acid, azelaic acid, vitamin C, niacinamide, retinoids, thiamidol, cysteamine — with pregnancy use guidance.
Top 25 dermatology FAQs — why apply retinoids at night, how long can you use topical steroids?
Top 25 most-searched questions: medication use, skincare combinations, acne, lasers, pregnancy/breastfeeding — answered.
Epidermoid cyst complete guide — why not to squeeze, when to excise
Cyst vs acne differentiation, the cyst wall, flare management, elliptical excision technique, NHI criteria.
Dermatology drugs NHI rules — coverage criteria, dose, prior authorization (PASS)
Oral isotretinoin, biologics, JAK inhibitors, IL-17/23 — NHI coverage criteria, dosing, course, PASS workflow.
Dermatologic laser comparison — wavelength × indication × evidence
2022 German S2k laser guideline summarized. 532-10600 nm full spectrum, 30+ indications classified as 'recommended / consider / not recommended'.
Infant & pediatric atopic dermatitis — complete care guide
Infant/child (0-5 y) atopic dermatitis: bathing & moisturizing, topical steroid / TCI, allergy-test timing, dupilumab indication (≥6 months), atopic march. Per 2024 German S3 guideline.
Atopic Dermatitis Complete Guide — Treatment, Comorbidity, 6 Myths
Pathophysiology, diagnosis, severity, comorbidity, treatment ladder, and 6 patient myths in one consolidated guide — covering 4 biologics, JAK inhibitors, and NICE/AAD 2024.
Prurigo Nodularis — Dupilumab, Nemolizumab, TDA 2024
Refractory itch, itch-scratch cycle, nodular lesions. LIBERTY-PN PRIME and OLYMPIA 2 transformed treatment. Per TDA 2024.
Cutaneous T-cell Lymphoma (CTCL/MF) — TDA + HST 2024 Consensus
MF, Sézary, CD30+ LPD. TNMB staging; topical, phototherapy, bexarotene, brentuximab vedotin, mogamulizumab; differentiation before dupilumab/TNF-α.
Targeted-therapy (TKI) cutaneous side effects — TLCS + TDA consensus
EGFR-inhibitor acneiform eruption, xerosis, paronychia, hand-foot syndrome — prevention, evaluation and management workflow.
Monkeypox (Mpox) skin care — full guide per TDA recommendations
Lesion staging (5 phases), avoiding scratching, gentle cleansing, wound care, scar prevention.
Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) — patient guide per TDA consensus
Acne inversa, Hurley staging, adalimumab Taiwan NHI 2024 coverage, surgical treatment.
6 Shingles Myths — does it kill if it circles? is the vaccine worth it? how long does neuralgia last?
72-hour golden window, Shingrix vs Zostavax, postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), why young adults get it. Includes dermatome distribution diagram.
6 Wart Myths — banana peel, one-laser cure? Is the HPV vaccine worth it?
Does it resolve on its own? How many cryotherapy sessions? Plantar wart vs corn? Does the HPV vaccine help cutaneous warts? Includes HPV type × location chart.
Skin biopsy & tumor excision — why, how, post-op
4 biopsy techniques + nail biopsy + benign lesions + fusiform excision + evidence-based wound care + NHI vs self-pay.
Psoriasis overview — classification, severity, triggers
IL-23/Th17 axis, 6 clinical subtypes, PASI/BSA/IGA/DLQI scoring, triggers, differential diagnosis.
Topical therapy for psoriasis — steroids, vitamin D, special sites
Topical steroid potency 1-7, calcipotriol/betamethasone, TCI, salicylic acid; scalp/nail/intertriginous tactics.
Systemic therapy for psoriasis — phototherapy, oral, biologics, NHI
NB-UVB/PUVA, MTX/cyclosporine/acitretin, IL-17/IL-23/TNFi comparison, Taiwan NHI 10/10/10 rule.
Psoriasis comorbidities & special populations
7 comorbidity screens, pregnancy, pediatric, nail, erythrodermic emergency.
Topical therapy for AD — moisturizers, steroids, TCI, PDE4, JAK creams
Soak-and-seal, TCS class 1-7, TCI proactive maintenance, crisaborole/ruxolitinib/tapinarof/roflumilast comparison.
Systemic therapy for AD — biologics, JAK inhibitors, phototherapy
4 biologics (dupilumab/tralokinumab/lebrikizumab/nemolizumab) + 3 JAK inhibitors detailed comparison chart.
AD comorbidities & special populations
7 comorbidity screens, atopic march prevention, infants, pregnancy, elderly, refractory AD management.
7 Psoriasis Myths — not tinea, not contagious, are biologics safe?
Taiwan NHI criteria for IL-17/23 inhibitors, psoriatic arthritis, cardiovascular comorbidity, methotrexate / apremilast / deucravacitinib treatment ladder.
6 Urticaria Myths — is it always allergy? do antihistamines cause drowsiness? can chronic urticaria be cured?
Is it always food allergy? Are recurrent episodes a sign of weak immunity? Are antihistamines addictive or sedating? Is it contagious? Are food allergy tests useful?
7 tinea / onychomycosis myths — topical only? Hot water? No pain = no treatment?
Caused by shoes? Topical for nail fungus enough? Vinegar kills it? Oral antifungals harm liver? Pet fungus doesn't spread? Plus 4-type SVG and oral chart.
Topical acids decoded — tretinoin, retinol, azelaic, glycolic, salicylic
Five families compared — who they're for, what not to mix, pregnancy safety, purging & PIH. Includes a beginner ladder and pregnancy chart.
Oral isotretinoin — every clinic FAQ in plain language
Indications, cumulative dose, lipid & LFT monitoring, contraception, laser timing, NHI vs out-of-pocket, depression & IBD — 30 most asked questions.
Articles are educational only — they do not replace an in-person consultation
Individual diagnosis, prescriptions, lasers, or surgery require an in-person evaluation by a board-certified dermatologist. This site does not engage in medical advertising and does not endorse any specific clinic or procedure.