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A Mohs Surgeon's Take on Bemotrizinol, the First New U.S. Sunscreen Filter in a Generation

NEW YORK — August 12, 2026 — As of last week, American sunscreen manufacturers can legally use an ultraviolet filter that consumers in Europe and Asia have had access to since 1999. The FDA added bemotrizinol to the over-the-counter sunscreen monograph on June 9, and the ingredient became available for use in U.S. formulations on August 9. It is the first new sunscreen active ingredient approved in the United States in roughly a quarter century. Dr. Dennis Porto, a double board-certified dermatologist and Mohs micrographic surgeon, says the significance is less about the chemistry than about what the chemistry makes possible. "I remove skin cancers for a living. Every single one of them represents a prevention failure somewhere upstream — sometimes decades upstream. So anything that makes daily sun protection easier or more pleasant is not a cosmetic upgrade to me. It's upstream cancer prevention." What bemotrizinol actually does Bemotrizinol — also called BEMT, a...
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First-in-Class Oral FASN Inhibitor Denifanstat Could Become the First New Oral Acne Medication in Four Decades, Says New York Dermatologist

11 August 2026 SUMMARY Denifanstat (ASC40), a once-daily oral fatty acid synthase (FASN) inhibitor, met all primary and secondary endpoints in Phase 3 testing and is now advancing toward United States Phase 3 trials, potentially offering the first mechanistically novel oral acne therapy since isotretinoin, according to New York dermatologist Dr. Dennis Porto. BACKGROUND: ACNE AND THE LIMITS OF CURRENT ORAL THERAPY Acne vulgaris affects roughly 50 million Americans each year, with more than 5 million seeking medical treatment annually. It is a chronic condition, and most patients require repeated or long-term management rather than a single course of therapy. Despite this, the systemic toolkit has barely changed in a generation. Dermatologists rely largely on oral tetracycline antibiotics, hormonal therapy such as combined oral contraceptives and spironolactone, and isotretinoin. Each carries meaningful limitations: antibiotic use is increasingly constrained by antimicrobial steward...
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Extended-Release Oral Minoxidil (VDPHL01) Shows Promise as New Treatment for Pattern Hair Loss, Announces New York Dermatologist

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE HEADLINE Extended-Release Oral Minoxidil (VDPHL01) Shows Promise as New Treatment for Pattern Hair Loss, Announces New York Dermatologist SUMMARY VDPHL01, a novel extended-release oral minoxidil formulation, is advancing through late-stage clinical trials and may offer a more effective and better-tolerated option for patients with pattern hair loss, according to New York dermatologist Dr. Dennis Porto. BACKGROUND: PATTERN HAIR LOSS Pattern hair loss (androgenetic alopecia) affects millions of men and women and remains one of the most common conditions seen in dermatology. Standard therapies such as topical minoxidil and off-label oral minoxidil have provided varying degrees of benefit, but adherence, scalp irritation, inconsistent absorption, and pharmacokinetic limitations often reduce their overall effectiveness. Immediate-release oral minoxidil reaches high serum concentrations quickly and declines within hours, which can increase the risk of side effects ...
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PP-405 Gains Attention as a Novel Small-Molecule Therapy for Hair Loss Following Early Clinical Signals

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 4, 2025 HEADLINE PP-405 Gains Attention as a Novel Small-Molecule Therapy for Hair Loss Following Early Clinical Signals SUMMARY PP-405, an investigational topical small-molecule therapy for hair loss, is drawing interest after early clinical data suggested meaningful hair regrowth with a favorable safety profile. Dermatologists are watching closely as this new mechanism advances through clinical development for androgenetic alopecia. BACKGROUND: HAIR LOSS AND THE NEED FOR NEW APPROACHES Hair loss, particularly androgenetic alopecia, is one of the most common and psychologically impactful dermatologic conditions. Despite its prevalence, treatment options remain limited, and many patients experience incomplete response, intolerance, or treatment fatigue with currently available therapies such as minoxidil or finasteride. As a result, there has been increasing focus on novel non-hormonal approaches that directly influence hair follicle biology rathe...
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Low-Dose Isotretinoin Gains Attention as an Emerging Off-Label Anti-Aging Therapy in Dermatology

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE HEADLINE Low-Dose Isotretinoin Gains Attention as an Emerging Off-Label Anti-Aging Therapy in Dermatology SUMMARY Low-dose isotretinoin, traditionally used to treat severe acne, is gaining interest as a potential off-label anti-aging therapy. New York dermatologist Dr. Dennis Porto highlights growing enthusiasm among patients and clinicians as studies continue to explore its benefits beyond acne. BACKGROUND: SKIN AGING AND TRADITIONAL RETINOID THERAPIES Skin aging is influenced by intrinsic factors such as time and genetics, as well as extrinsic factors including ultraviolet radiation, pollution, and inflammation. Dermatologists have long relied on topical retinoids like tretinoin to improve fine lines, pigmentation irregularities, and overall skin texture. Topical retinoids remain the gold standard in evidence-based anti-aging skincare, but they are limited by adherence challenges, irritation, and variable penetration through the epidermis. Patients seeking ...
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Esquire Highlights Breakthrough Hair-Loss Molecule PP-405 as Dermatologists Monitor Emerging Clinical Data

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 4, 2025 HEADLINE Esquire Highlights Breakthrough Hair-Loss Molecule PP-405 as Dermatologists Monitor Emerging Clinical Data SUMMARY A recent Esquire article spotlighting the investigational hair-loss therapy PP-405 has drawn widespread attention to the molecule’s early clinical results and novel mechanism of action. Dermatologists say the therapy represents part of a new wave of regenerative treatments aimed at reactivating dormant hair follicles rather than simply slowing hair loss. BACKGROUND: A NEW GENERATION OF HAIR-LOSS TREATMENTS Hair loss, particularly androgenetic alopecia, affects millions of people worldwide and remains one of the most common conditions seen in dermatology clinics. Existing therapies such as minoxidil and finasteride can slow progression or modestly stimulate regrowth but often fail to fully restore hair density for many patients. In recent years, advances in molecular biology and regenerative medicine have led to a surg...
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New Phase III Data for Breezula® (Clascoterone) Shows Strong Hair-Count Gains and Robust Safety in Androgenetic Alopecia Trials

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 4, 2025 HEADLINE New Phase III Data for Breezula® (Clascoterone) Shows Strong Hair-Count Gains and Robust Safety in Androgenetic Alopecia Trials SUMMARY Topical androgen receptor inhibitor Breezula® (clascoterone 5% solution) has met its co-primary endpoints in two Phase III trials, showing substantial improvements in scalp hair count over vehicle — raising hopes for a new non-systemic therapy for pattern hair loss. New York hair-loss specialist Dr. Dennis Porto comments on the promising data and what it could mean for patients. BACKGROUND: ANDROGENETIC ALOPECIA AND LIMITATIONS OF CURRENT THERAPIES Androgenetic alopecia (pattern hair loss) affects millions of men and women, and current approved treatments—topical minoxidil and oral finasteride—often yield incomplete results or require long-term use with variable patient tolerance. Many patients seek safer, more effective, and non-systemic options to preserve hair without systemic side effects or adher...
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