Overview
Practical, Clinically Relevant Pigmentation Education for Every Dermatology Clinician
The 4th Annual PDE Symposium brings together world‑renowned dermatology experts for an in‑depth exploration of skin pigmentation, including the long‑term pigmentary sequelae that follow inflammatory skin conditions such as acne, atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, and related dermatoses. Over two days, faculty will cover pathogenesis, clinical presentation, and cutting‑edge treatment strategies for primary pigmentation conditions (e.g., melasma, vitiligo), congenital presentations, acquired dermal macular hyperpigmentation, and secondary pigmentary outcomes such as post‑inflammatory hyperpigmentation, hypopigmentation, and photodamage, across the full spectrum of skin types.
Join Symposium Chair Pearl E. Grimes, MD, FAAD, for this unique CME/CE event presented by MedscapeLIVE! in partnership with the producers of ODAC Dermatology Conference and Skin of Color Update.
Why Attend?
PDE 2026 goes beyond a surface review. This symposium equips clinicians with practical knowledge and tools to improve treatment outcomes, reduce pigmentary complications, and lessen the long‑term impact of pigmentation issues on patients’ quality of life.
Core themes include:
- The real‑world impact of pigmentation on patient quality of life and the need for a care‑centered shift in clinical practice.
- Pathogenesis and nuanced clinical presentation across conditions from hyperpigmentation to hypopigmentation, with evidence‑based topical, systemic, and procedural strategies.
- How therapeutic choices affect pigmentation and how clinicians can optimize regimens to reduce pigmentary complications.
Why Pigmentary Sequelae Matter
Pigmentary conditions, from melasma and vitiligo to post‑inflammatory hyperpigmentation after acne, eczema, or other inflammatory dermatoses, affect patients globally and across all skin types. Because acne is a leading cause of PIH and pigmentation concerns often influence treatment adherence, patient satisfaction, and psychosocial health, PDE 2026 will offer practical treatment strategies clinicians can apply immediately.
Interactive Learning & Networking
This immersive experience will include:
- Case‑based discussions
- Chemical peels live demonstrations
- Thought‑provoking panels
- Expert Exchange roundtables
- Extended audience Q&A time
- Exhibit hall and networking opportunities during the welcome reception and coffee breaks
Register today to receive the best available rate.
We look forward to you joining us in Chicago!
Meet the Chair
Pearl E. Grimes, MD, FAAD
Clinical Professor of Dermatology
University of California, Los Angeles
Director
The Vitiligo and Pigmentation Institute of Southern California
Los Angeles, California
Agenda
Please note all sessions listed in Central Time. Agenda subject to change.
Saturday, June 06
7:30 am — 6:20 pm
Registration
Saturday, June 06
7:45 am — 8:55 am
Breakfast Non-CME/CE Bonus Presentation
Saturday, June 06
9:00 am — 10:30 am
Session I: The Future of Pigmentary Diseases: Setting the Stage for Complex, Multifaceted Care
Saturday, June 06
9:00 am — 9:05 am
Session Introduction
Saturday, June 06
9:05 am — 9:20 am
Changing the Conversation: Why Pigmentary Diseases Deserve Center Stage
Saturday, June 06
9:20 am — 9:45 am
Pigmentation Biology: The Foundation for Clinical Progress
Saturday, June 06
9:45 am — 10:30 am
The Burden of Pigmentary Diseases: Progress, Pitfalls, and Patient Voices—Panel Discussion
Andrew F. Alexis, MD, MPH, FAAD
Roopal V. Kundu, MD, FAAD
Saturday, June 06
10:30 am — 11:00 am
Break: Exhibit and Poster Hall Opens
Saturday, June 06
10:30 am — 11:00 am
Expert Exchange Roundtable: Vitiligo
Rebecca Vasquez, MD, FAAD
Saturday, June 06
11:00 am — 1:00 pm
Session II: Photoaging, Photoprotection, and Skin Cancer Prevention
Saturday, June 06
11:00 am — 11:05 am
Session Introduction
Saturday, June 06
11:05 am — 11:25 am
Skin Cancer and Pigmentation: The Journey From Healthy to Rogue Melanocytes
Saturday, June 06
11:25 am — 11:45 am
Unraveling Photoaging: Mechanisms and Clinical Presentations
Saturday, June 06
11:45 am — 12:05 pm
Photoprotection: Current Evidence and Practical Approaches
Saturday, June 06
12:05 pm — 12:25 pm
Innovations in Topicals, Cosmeceuticals, and Oral Agents for Photodamage
Saturday, June 06
12:25 pm — 12:45 pm
Procedural Interventions for Photodamage: Evidence, Techniques, and Outcomes
Saturday, June 06
12:45 pm — 1:00 pm
Ask Me Anything! Panel Q&A
Sewon Kang, MD, FAAD
Harvey Lui, MD, FAAD
E. Victor Ross, MD, FAAD
Susan C. Taylor, MD, FAAD
Hensin Tsao, MD, PhD, FAAD
Saturday, June 06
1:05 pm — 2:15 pm
Lunch Non-CME/CE Bonus Presentation
Saturday, June 06
2:20 pm — 3:50 pm
Session III: Pigmentary Pathways: Sequelae and Solutions in Inflammatory Skin Disease
Saturday, June 06
2:20 pm — 2:25 pm
Session Introduction
Saturday, June 06
2:25 pm — 2:40 pm
From Inflammation to Pigmentation: Risk Factors and Early Intervention
Saturday, June 06
2:40 pm — 2:50 pm
Pigmentary Sequelae in Acne
Saturday, June 06
2:50 pm — 3:00 pm
Addressing Dyspigmentation Patterns in Atopic Dermatitis
Saturday, June 06
3:00 pm — 3:10 pm
Unmasking Residual Pigment in Prurigo Nodularis: Causes and Care
Saturday, June 06
3:10 pm — 3:20 pm
Restoring Balance: Navigating Pigment Changes in Psoriasis
Saturday, June 06
3:20 pm — 3:35 pm
JAK Inhibitors: Transforming Inflammatory Skin Disease and Pigment Outcomes
Saturday, June 06
3:35 pm — 3:50 pm
Ask Me Anything! Panel Q&A
Neal Bhatia, MD, FAAD
Seemal R. Desai, MD, FAAD
Pearl E. Grimes, MD, FAAD
Rebecca Vasquez, MD, FAAD
Saturday, June 06
3:50 pm — 4:20 pm
Break: Visit Exhibit and Poster Hall
Saturday, June 06
3:50 pm — 4:20 pm
Expert Exchange Roundtable: Photoaging & Photoprotection
Harvey Lui, MD, FAAD
Saturday, June 06
4:20 pm — 5:20 pm
Independent CME Symposium
Saturday, June 06
5:25 pm — 6:20 pm
Session IV: The Fundamentals of Laser Therapy for Pigmentary Conditions
Saturday, June 06
5:25 pm — 5:30 pm
Session Introduction
Saturday, June 06
5:30 pm — 5:45 pm
Technology Deep Dive
Saturday, June 06
5:45 pm — 6:00 pm
Patient Assessment & Parameter Selection
Saturday, June 06
6:00 pm — 6:10 pm
Patient Cases: The Good, the Bad, & the Ugly
Sandy Tsao, MD, FAAD
Saturday, June 06
6:10 pm — 6:20 pm
Ask Me Anything! Audience Q&A
Sandy Tsao, MD, FAAD
Saturday, June 06
6:20 pm — 7:00 pm
Welcome Reception & Meet & Greet with Poster Authors in Exhibit Hall
Saturday, June 06
7:00 pm — 7:00 pm
Day 1 Adjourns
Sunday, June 07
7:30 am — 5:30 pm
Registration
Sunday, June 07
7:45 am — 8:55 am
Breakfast Non-CME/CE Bonus Presentation
Sunday, June 07
9:00 am — 10:45 am
Session V: Melasma Masterclass: Advances in Diagnosis and Comprehensive Management
Sunday, June 07
9:00 am — 9:05 am
Session Introduction
Sunday, June 07
9:05 am — 9:25 am
Melasma Unveiled: Pathogenesis, Risk Factors, and Clinical Patterns
Sunday, June 07
9:25 am — 9:45 am
Melasma Treatment Essentials: Integrating Photoprotection, Topicals, and Cosmeceuticals
Sunday, June 07
9:45 am — 10:00 am
Melasma Treatment Essentials: Systemic Therapies
Sunday, June 07
10:00 am — 10:15 am
Procedural Approaches in Melasma: Chemical Peels
Sunday, June 07
10:15 am — 10:30 am
Procedural Approaches in Melasma: Lasers, Devices, & Beyond
Sunday, June 07
10:30 am — 10:45 am
Ask Me Anything! Panel Q&A
Roopal V. Kundu, MD, FAAD
Seaver L. Soon, MD, FAAD
Sandy Tsao, MD, FAAD
Sunday, June 07
10:45 am — 11:15 am
Break: Visit Exhibit and Poster Hall
Sunday, June 07
10:45 am — 11:15 am
Expert Exchange Roundtable: Melasma
Seaver L. Soon, MD, FAAD
Roopal V. Kundu, MD, FAAD
Sunday, June 07
11:15 am — 1:10 pm
Session VI: Vitiligo Deep Dive: From Pathogenesis to Therapeutic Strategy
Sunday, June 07
11:15 am — 11:20 am
Session Introduction
Sunday, June 07
11:20 am — 11:40 am
Immunopathogenesis of Vitiligo: Mechanisms of Melanocyte Loss
Sunday, June 07
11:40 am — 12:00 pm
Pharmacologic Approaches in Vitiligo: Topical, Systemic Therapies, and JAK Inhibitors
Sunday, June 07
12:00 pm — 12:20 pm
Procedural Repigmentation Techniques: Phototherapy, Laser, and Surgical Options
Sunday, June 07
12:20 pm — 12:35 pm
Adjunctive & Over-the-Counter Interventions: Evidence and Best Practices
Sunday, June 07
12:35 pm — 12:55 pm
Emerging Therapies and Future Directions: JAK Inhibitors to Cell-Based Treatments
Sunday, June 07
12:55 pm — 1:10 pm
Ask Me Anything! Panel Q&A
Nada Elbuluk, MD, MSc, FAAD
IItefat Hamzavi, MD, FAAD
John E. Harris, MD, PhD, FAAD
Bassel H. Mahmoud, MD, PhD, FAAD
David Rosmarin, MD, FAAD
Sunday, June 07
1:15 pm — 2:25 pm
Lunch Non-CME/CE Bonus Presentation
Sunday, June 07
2:30 pm — 4:05 pm
Session VII: Challenging the Spectrum: Diagnosis and Treatment of Hyperpigmentation, Hypopigmentation, and Depigmentation
Sunday, June 07
2:30 pm — 2:35 pm
Session Introduction
Sunday, June 07
2:35 pm — 2:50 pm
When Prevention Fails: How Do We Treat Postinflammatory Hyperpigmentation?
Sunday, June 07
2:50 pm — 3:10 pm
Beyond PIH: Understanding Other Acquired Disorders of Hyperpigmentation
Sunday, June 07
3:10 pm — 3:25 pm
Acquired Disorders of Hypopigmentation
Sunday, June 07
3:25 pm — 3:40 pm
Procedural Management of Hyperpigmentation: Lasers & Energy-Based Devices
Sunday, June 07
3:40 pm — 3:55 pm
Procedural Management of Hyperpigmentation: Chemical Peels
Sunday, June 07
3:55 pm — 4:05 pm
Ask Me Anything! Panel Q&A
Andrew F. Alexis, MD, MPH, FAAD
Mona A. Gohara, MD, FAAD
Kachiu C. Lee, MD, MPH, FAAD
Rebecca Vasquez, MD, FAAD
Sunday, June 07
4:05 pm — 4:35 pm
Break: Visit Exhibit and Poster Hall
Sunday, June 07
4:35 pm — 5:30 pm
Session VIII: Superficial & Medium-Depth Chemical Peels in Practice: Science, Technique, and LIVE DEMONSTRATION
Sunday, June 07
4:35 pm — 4:40 pm
Session Introduction
Sunday, June 07
4:40 pm — 5:00 pm
Foundations of Medium-Depth & Deep Chemical Peels: Indications, Techniques, and Patient Selection
Sunday, June 07
5:00 pm — 5:20 pm
Medium-Depth Chemical Peel Live Demonstration
Jennifer Croix, MD, PhD, FAAD
Kachiu C. Lee, MD, MPH, FAAD
Sunday, June 07
5:20 pm — 5:30 pm
Ask Me Anything! Panel Q&A
Seaver L. Soon, MD, FAAD
Jennifer Croix, MD, PhD, FAAD
Kachiu C. Lee, MD, MPH, FAAD
Sunday, June 07
5:30 pm — 5:30 pm
Conference Closing Remarks
Sunday, June 07
5:30 pm — 5:30 pm
Conference Adjourns
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