American Academy of Dermatology Annual Meeting 2026

The 2026 American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) Annual Meeting arrives at a pivotal moment for the field, showcasing late-breaking data poised to reshape treatment paradigms across dermatology’s most challenging conditions. The program features comprehensive sessions on phase 3 readouts, representing years of clinical development and potential first-in-class approvals. The event reflects a broader maturation of the dermatology pipeline, defined by oral precision therapies, novel biologic mechanisms, and an increased focus on treating historically underserved diseases. Key focus areas include innovations in atopic dermatitis, plaque psoriasis, hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), vitiligo, cutaneous oncology, and the evolving role of AI and teledermatology in modern practice.
Learning Objectives
Following participation in this activity, the learner should be able to:

Review and apply basic knowledge and skills in medical dermatology, dermatologic surgery, pediatric dermatology, and dermatopathology.

Update their knowledge about recent advances in the diagnosis, management, and treatment of diseases of the skin, hair, nails, and mucous membranes.

Assess the relationship of evidence-based diagnostic approaches and therapies with new dermatologic treatment developments.

Self-assess current practice management skills and develop strategies for improving these skills.

Apply new procedural skills into everyday practice.

Target Audience

Dermatologists and others involved in the delivery of dermatologic care.
Best for Dermatologists, Dermatologic Surgeons, Pediatric Dermatologists, Cosmetic Dermatologists, Dermatopathologists, and Cutaneous Oncologists.

Topics
Link: https://meetings.aad.org/AM2026/Sessions?date=all
The comprehensive scientific agenda spans multiple core specialties within dermatology. Detailed topics covered during the meeting include:
Medical Dermatology & Pipeline Therapeutics

Next-Generation Oral Therapies: Evaluating high-performance oral agents closing the efficacy gap with biologics, including Icotrokinra (an oral IL-23 receptor antagonist) for plaque psoriasis without mandatory TB testing requirements.

Novel Biologics in Atopic Dermatitis: 24-week efficacy and safety results from the COAST 1 and COAST 2 Phase 3 trials investigating Amlitelimab (a non-depleting anti-OX40 ligand antibody) as monotherapy and alongside topical treatments.

Advancements in Non-Segmental Vitiligo: Efficacy and safety profiles of Upadacitinib in adolescents and adults based on the Viti-Up Phase 3 studies.

Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) Breakthroughs: Assessment of durable 54-week efficacy data for the oral JAK1 inhibitor Povorcitinib, highlighting its favorable safety profile and mechanistically targeted reduction of heterogeneous cytokine architecture in HS.

Dermatologic Surgery & Cutaneous Oncology

Melanoma Care Disparities: Analyzing survival outcomes and racial/gender disparities across the melanoma care continuum, including evidence showing lower rates of home or hospice end-of-life care among minority patients.

Surgical Technique Updates: Procedural integration and guidelines for managing challenging cutaneous malignancies and complex dermatologic anomalies.

Inflammatory & Autoimmune Diseases

Systemic Inflammation & Cardiovascular Risk: Transcriptomic evidence linking psoriasis and atopic dermatitis to shared atherosclerotic risk pathways.

The “Diaper to Diaper” Hypothesis: Tracing systemic inflammation from growth stunting in pediatric atopic dermatitis to cardiovascular disease manifestations in adult patients.

TYK2 Inhibitors & Safety Profiles: Phase 2b and Phase 3 efficacy of allosteric TYK2 inhibitors (e.g., envudeucitinib, zasocitinib) that preserve clinical efficacy while minimizing JAK-associated safety concerns.

Pediatric Dermatology

Biologic Interventions in Adolescents: Assessing robust Phase 3 responses (PASI 90 and PASI 100) to targeted treatments in adolescent cohorts weighing ≥40 kg.

Adolescent vs. Adult Pathophysiology: Investigating understudied pathophysiologic distinctions, such as those observed in teenage versus adult female acne.

Aesthetic & Cosmetic Dermatology

Cosmetic Injections: Practical approaches to product selection, relevant anatomy review, injection methods for botulinum toxin and dermal fillers, and strategies to minimize adverse events.

Scalp & Hair Expertise: Understanding physiological and structural specificities (e.g., straight vs. curly hair biology) to optimize outcomes for hair loss, dandruff, and cosmetic compliance.

Compliance-Driven Galenics: Bridging the gap between clinical potency and sensory/cosmetic appeal to improve treatment adherence across diverse patient profiles.

Technology, Practice Management & Diversity

Digital Dermatologic Innovation: Evaluating the pros, cons, and clinical integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Teledermatology to manage workload and expand patient access.

Clinical Trial Diversity: Strategies for improving remote dermatology care, ensuring accurate diagnosis in skin of color, and boosting diverse representation in late-stage clinical research.

Antibiotic Stewardship: Reframing antibiotics in acne management as anti-inflammatory rather than antimicrobial agents, focusing on narrow-spectrum agents (like sarecycline) to preserve gut microbiome integrity.