Acne sequelae primarily include post-acne erythema, post-acne hyperpigmentation, and post-acne scarring. These residual cutaneous lesions persist in a substantial proportion of patients following the resolution of active acne and arise from factors such as inflammatory responses and inappropriate manipulation of lesions. Acne sequelae are highly prevalent, impose a considerable disease burden, and exert a profound negative impact on patients’ physical appearance, psychological well-being, and quality of life. Although a wide range of therapeutic modalities is currently available and new treatment technologies continue to emerge, substantial variability exists in treatment efficacy, and clinical decision-making remains highly heterogeneous. To promote standardized and evidence-based approaches to the diagnosis, prevention, and management of acne sequelae, an expert panel developed this consensus through a comprehensive review of recently published domestic and international literature, integrated with current clinical practice in China. This consensus is intended to provide practical and authoritative guidance for clinicians in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of acne sequelae.

Recent studies have highlighted the role of lipid metabolic reprogramming in the pathogenesis of vitiligo, a common autoimmune skin disease characterized by acquired depigmentation. Patients with vitiligo exhibit alterations in fatty acid metabolism, dysregulation of lipid metabolism–related proteins, and increased lipid oxidative stress. Abnormal lipid metabolism may also promote disease progression by modulating the immune microenvironment. Concurrently, immune cell dysfunction and aberrant cytokine secretion impair keratinocyte function, thereby exacerbating melanocyte destruction. This review systematically examines lipid metabolic reprogramming in vitiligo, its defining features, and its relevance to disease pathogenesis, offering a novel perspective on the underlying mechanisms. By analyzing key aspects of lipid metabolic reprogramming, this review highlights the pivotal role of lipid metabolism in vitiligo onset and progression; it provides a theoretical framework to guide future research.

Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) is a safe and effective option for multiple skin diseases. To promote standardized clinical use, this expert consensus was developed by 35 dermatology experts through 2 rounds of Delphi surveys and addressed 19 clinical questions with a consensus degree of over 80.0%. This consensus summarizes current evidence on PBMT’s mechanisms of action, indications, contraindications, treatment parameters, and adverse event management. Although encouraging outcomes have been observed regarding acne vulgaris, photoaging, alopecia, and other dermatologic conditions, considerable variability in treatment protocols and the scarcity of high-quality, large-scale clinical trials continue to limit broader clinical adoption. This consensus provides evidence-based and practical guidance to support the safe and effective incorporation of PBMT into dermatologic practice in China.

Objective: Leprosy prevention and treatment is a significant global public health and social challenge. Southwest China remains a high-burden area for leprosy. Analyzing the epidemic characteristics of different regions is crucial for tailoring effective prevention and control measures. This study aimed to characterize the epidemiological profile of leprosy in China from 2022 to 2023, providing essential data to inform future prevention and control strategies. Methods: Data were extracted from the Leprosy Management Information System in China, encompassing 31 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities from 2022 to 2023, and data from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Macau Special Administrative Region, and the Taiwan region were not available in the system and thus were not included in this analysis. Descriptive statistical methods were used to analyze the demographic and clinical characteristics, including sex, age, geographic distribution, and disability grade. Results: In total, 617 new leprosy cases were identified nationwide in 2022 and 2023, corresponding to a detection rate of 0.22 per million population. Among these, 380 cases (61.6%) involved male individuals, 588 cases (95.3%) were classified as multibacillary, 136 cases (22.0%) affected individuals with grade 2 disability, 114 cases (18.5%) involved migrant individuals, and 5 cases (0.8%) occurred in children under 15 years of age. In both years, 57.7% of new detected cases (356/617) were concentrated in Southwest China. Across the 2-year period, 47 relapse cases were reported. The registered prevalence was 1.279 per million population at the end of 2022, based on 1,806 cases. By the end of 2023, this number declined to 1.201 per million, based on 1,693 cases. Conclusion: Although the overall prevalence of leprosy in China is low, the disease continues to be geographically widespread and unevenly distributed. Southwest China remains a key region for targeted control efforts.

Objective: Treatment non-adherence in chronic dermatological diseases is a persistent problem. Therefore, the use of a reliable and valid instrument to identify barriers to treatment adherence is essential. To date, no Arabic version of the ABQ has been available to identify barriers to treatment adherence among patients in Arab communities. Therefore, we conduct this study to validate an Arabic version of the Adherence Barriers Questionnaire (ABQ), and then identify potential barriers to adherence in common chronic dermatological diseases. Methods: In total, 400 Egyptian patients with common chronic dermatological diseases (vitiligo, acne vulgaris, psoriasis vulgaris and atopic dermatitis) were randomly recruited from Dermatology department at Assiut University Hospital between March 2022 and August 2023. Patient adherence to treatment was assessed using the Arabic versions of the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8) and the Adherence to Refills and Medications Scale (ARMS). Adherence barriers were examined using the newly developed Arabic version of the ABQ. Reliability and internal consistency of the ABQ-A were examined via Cronbach’s alpha coefficient (Cronbach’s α). Construct validity was evaluated through confirmatory factor analysis. External validity was tested by calculating Spearman’s rho correlations between ABQ-A scores and ARMS scores. Results: The mean age of 400 patients was (32.6 years; standard deviation (SD=15.6), ranged from 18 to 69 years old and 57.0% of patients were females. Seventy-three percent of the patients exhibited low adherence. The Cronbach’s α for the ABQ-A was 0.78, indicating acceptable internal consistency. Confirmatory factor analysis revealed that the ABQ-A consisted of three factors, supporting construct validity. External validity was confirmed by a significant positive correlation between ABQ-A and ARMS scores ( r = 0.84, P <0.001). Conclusion: The Arabic version of the ABQ is a reliable and valid instrument for identifying barriers to treatment adherence. Perceived high medications cost and psychological concerns about side effects were among the most commonly reported barriers identified by ABQ-A.

Under physiological conditions, hair follicle immune privilege protects hair follicles through spatial isolation, immune regulators (e.g., transforming growth factor beta, programmed death-ligand 1), and regulatory T cells. In addition, immune cells actively facilitate hair follicle regeneration by regulating the hair cycle via pathways such as Jag1-Notch, Janus Kinase–Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription, and Wnt pathways. They also promote wound-induced hair neogenesis through macrophage- and regulatory T cell-mediated mechanisms. In alopecia areata, stress-induced collapse of hair follicle immune privilege initiates autoantigen presentation, thereby triggering an autoreactive inflammatory loop. This review, based on literature retrieved from PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase databases (January 2018–June 2025; approximately 120 studies included), summarizes recent advances in understanding immune regulation of hair follicle immune privilege maintenance, its breakdown in alopecia areata, and its implications for immune-guided hair follicle regeneration. Current therapies, including corticosteroids and Janus Kinase inhibitors, provide symptomatic relief but fail to prevent relapse. Emerging targeted immunotherapies, such as inhibitors of inflammatory pathways and modulation of regulatory T cells, offer promising prospects for the treatment of alopecia areata.

Copper, an essential trace element, plays a critical role in numerous physiological processes, including melanin synthesis, antioxidant defense, and wound healing. However, recent studies have revealed a concerning issue: excessive copper accumulation exerts cytotoxic effects and induces a newly identified form of cell death—cuproptosis. This mechanism is closely linked to the onset and progression of various skin diseases, including psoriasis, melanoma, and keloids. These findings provide a new perspective for the study and treatment of skin diseases. However, the specific molecular mechanisms linking cuproptosis to dermatologic disorders remain insufficiently understood. To address this gap, this review aims to summarize current evidence on the role of cuproptosis in skin diseases, clarify its underlying biological mechanisms, and discuss its potential clinical and therapeutic implications.