Why I’m Especially Excited for AAD VMX 2021

The annual American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) meeting might still be virtual, but it's always an exciting time. The meeting brings together leading dermatologists from around the world to discuss the latest skin health research, and I’m in awe of the incredible work being shared by all. I’m especially looking forward to new data presentations on restorative skincare for cancer patients, advances in multicultural skincare and the emotional effect of acne.

Any dermatologist will tell you that our skin says a lot about our health. As the body’s largest organ, it protects us from outside threats like bacteria, infection, and irritants. Taking care of our skin is critical for our physical health, but something often forgotten is the impact our skin has on our emotional health. Our latest Johnson & Johnson Consumer Health research sits at the intersection of physical and emotional skin health.

Improvements for Cancer Patients

Many people who are living with cancer know the emotional toll on skin health firsthand. My previous article, Joining Forces to Lead Research in the Emerging Onco-Dermatology Space, discusses the paradox of cancer treatment. The goal of cancer treatment is to save lives, but when it’s working to fight cancer cells, it can cause negative side effects in our skin which greatly reduces quality of life for people who are already in a vulnerable position. But thanks to the work of our R&D team, we’re beginning to uncover options to provide relief for these patients. Among the first studies of its kind, our scientists showed that a daily regimen with Aveeno’s Restorative Skin Therapy provided significant improvement in dry skin and itch for adult patients with mild-to-moderate skin-related side effects resulting from systemic cancer treatments.

Expanding Skin Health Innovations for All

At Johnson & Johnson Consumer Health, we are committed to providing skincare solutions to everyone across all skin tones and colors, and our recent data presented at AAD underscores that commitment. In a new study of children with Atopic Dermatitis, we found that Aveeno 1% Colloidal Oatmeal (CO) OTC Cream showed a 63% improvement in Eczema Area and Severity Index scores for Black children by day seven. This is important because Black children have higher rates of Atopic Dermatitis and experience a greater negative impact on their quality of life.

Additionally, our Neutrogena Invisible Daily Defense sunscreens were reported to be “invisible on all skin tones” by more than 80% of participants in a clinical study thanks to an innovative formulation designed to eliminate the common issue of white casts and chalky residue. Notably, the sunscreens were tested in more than 160 people, representing all skin types and ethnicities equally. These sunscreens provide a critical option to protect all skin tones from sun damage. We hope to provide a solution to individuals with skin of color, that studies show are much less likely to use sunscreen.

More research is needed on skin solutions for people with skin of color and Johnson & Johnson Consumer Health will continue to rise to the challenge.

The Impact of Acne on Adults and Teens

Another study leveraged innovative machine learning methods to analyze the emotional and social impact of acne and found some distinct differences in how men, women, and teens feel about their acne. One major takeaway was that teenage boys and girls described their feelings about acne differently. These results underscore the need for more personalized communications and education for acne sufferers of all ages to increase understanding of acne, decrease anxiety, and provide better treatment solutions.

I’m so proud of the great work our team is rolling out at this year’s virtual conference, but there’s still more work to do. Our team is committed to bringing new and impactful data forward to inform all that we do and the important skin health options we provide to all consumers. If you’re interested in learning more, you can register to join us virtually this weekend for the AAD VMX 2021 conference. #AADVMX2021 #WeKnowSkincareScience