Dermatology Micro learning - Video, slides and more

Improving acne vulgaris with multimodal treatment strategies

Learn about the evolving treatment landscape and best practices

Prof. Alison Layton

Prof. Alison Layton
Prof. Dr Falk Ochsendorf

Prof. Dr Falk Ochsendorf
Publication Date

Aug 2025

download Downloadable resources

In this micro learning module, developed by experts Prof. Alison Layton and Prof. Dr Falk Ochsendorf, you will explore multimodal treatment strategies for acne vulgaris. 

 

This module features a concise animated video, downloadable resources, and an assessment to evaluate your understanding.

 

Topics include: 

 

  • The four interrelated pathogenic factors resulting in the development of acne vulgaris 
  • Treatment options for acne vulgaris and how each targets the associated pathogenic factors 
  • Appropriate placement of therapies in accordance with the guidelines 
  • The need to adopt a multimodal treatment approach and best practices to achieve optimal outcomes 

 

This micro learning programme offers concise, easily digestible resources that each take under five minutes to watch or read. If you have extra time, complete the short assessment and earn CME credit in just 30 minutes. 

 

 

Clinical takeaways

 

  • Acne vulgaris is driven by four key pathogenic factors: Excess sebum production and constituents, inflammation, follicular hyperkeratinisation, and microbial changes 
  • Treatment options and guidelines: Latest guidelines provide excellent evidence-based treatment options available to optimise acne outcomes aligned to patient needs and expectations  
  • Appropriate placement of therapies: Depends on disease severity, duration, disease burden, history, prior therapies and response
  • Use multimodal treatment strategies: Combining treatments targeting different pathogenic factors is essential to achieve best efficacy 
  • Understand the four primary pathogenic factors resulting in the development of acne vulgaris 
  • Know the treatment options for acne vulgaris and how each targets the associated pathogenic factors 
  • Be aware of the appropriate placement of therapies in acne vulgaris in accordance with the guidelines across the patient journey and disease severities
  • Recognise the need to adopt a multimodal treatment approach for acne vulgaris 

Alison is Professor of Dermatology at Hull York Medical School and is the Clinical Lead the new Skin Research Centre and Clinical Affiliate at the York Biomedical Research Institute at the University of York. She has been a Consultant Dermatologist for over 25 years and is the Director for Research and Innovation at Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust.

She has developed and delivered many Phase I-IV clinical trials examining the efficacy of treatment for common inflammatory dermatoses including acne. She leads a supra-regional clinical service for acne and has developed a comprehensive ethically approved acne database which has informed epidemiological research. Through an NIH grant, she has supported the international ACORN (Acne Core Outcome Research Network); this is informing the development of standardised outcome measures for use in clinical trials.

She was co-Chief Investigator on a NIHR Health Technology Assessment (HTA) funded study examining the efficacy of Spironolactone in adult females with acne which demonstrated positive results and was recently published in the British Medical Journal. She is currently co-applicant on an NIHR programme grant looking at the development and impact of an intervention for acne and a further NIHR HTA funded study examining isotretinoin dosing. She represents the UK on European and International Global Acne Panels and is a member of the European Dermatology Forum. She has published widely and acted as clinical lead for Evidence Based Guidelines and Cochrane Systematic Reviews and is lead author for the Acne chapter in Rook’s Textbook of Dermatology and the Oxford Textbook of Medicine.

Prof. Alison Layton has received financial support/sponsorship for research support, consultation, or speaker fees from the following companies:

Alliance, Almirall, Beiersdorf, Eligo, Galderma Pharma, La Roche-Posay, Leo Pharma, L'Oreal, Novartis

Prof. Dr. med. Falk Rüdiger Ochsendorf is an Assistant Professor at the University Hospital Frankfurt/M, Department of Dermatology. He is a specialist in dermatology, allergology, environmental medicine, and andrology. His research on oxidative stress in male infertility earned him his Habilitation in 1996. As a member of both national and European guideline committees for acne, he has contributed significantly to dermatological research and practice.

Prof. Ochsendorf has been deeply involved in medical education, earning multiple awards for his teaching excellence, including the Theodor-Stern-Award and the E-Learning Award of the J.W. Goethe University. Since 2011, he has led the Frankfurter Arbeitsstelle für Medizindidaktik, focusing on curriculum development and medical didactics.

Following his statutory retirement in May 2023, Prof. Ochsendorf continues to contribute to teaching and curriculum organisation at the medical department, ensuring the continued development of dermatological education.

Prof. Dr Falk Ochsendorf has received financial support/sponsorship for research support, consultation, or speaker fees from the following companies:

Infectopharma, Mylan, Pierre Fabre Laboratories

In this micro learning module, developed by experts Prof. Alison Layton and Prof. Dr Falk Ochsendorf, you will explore multimodal treatment strategies for acne vulgaris. 

 

This module features a concise animated video, downloadable resources, and an assessment to evaluate your understanding.

 

Topics include: 

 

  • The four interrelated pathogenic factors resulting in the development of acne vulgaris 
  • Treatment options for acne vulgaris and how each targets the associated pathogenic factors 
  • Appropriate placement of therapies in accordance with the guidelines 
  • The need to adopt a multimodal treatment approach and best practices to achieve optimal outcomes 

 

This micro learning programme offers concise, easily digestible resources that each take under five minutes to watch or read. If you have extra time, complete the short assessment and earn CME credit in just 30 minutes. 

 

 

Clinical takeaways

 

  • Acne vulgaris is driven by four key pathogenic factors: Excess sebum production and constituents, inflammation, follicular hyperkeratinisation, and microbial changes 
  • Treatment options and guidelines: Latest guidelines provide excellent evidence-based treatment options available to optimise acne outcomes aligned to patient needs and expectations  
  • Appropriate placement of therapies: Depends on disease severity, duration, disease burden, history, prior therapies and response
  • Use multimodal treatment strategies: Combining treatments targeting different pathogenic factors is essential to achieve best efficacy 
  • Understand the four primary pathogenic factors resulting in the development of acne vulgaris 
  • Know the treatment options for acne vulgaris and how each targets the associated pathogenic factors 
  • Be aware of the appropriate placement of therapies in acne vulgaris in accordance with the guidelines across the patient journey and disease severities
  • Recognise the need to adopt a multimodal treatment approach for acne vulgaris 

Alison is Professor of Dermatology at Hull York Medical School and is the Clinical Lead the new Skin Research Centre and Clinical Affiliate at the York Biomedical Research Institute at the University of York. She has been a Consultant Dermatologist for over 25 years and is the Director for Research and Innovation at Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust.

She has developed and delivered many Phase I-IV clinical trials examining the efficacy of treatment for common inflammatory dermatoses including acne. She leads a supra-regional clinical service for acne and has developed a comprehensive ethically approved acne database which has informed epidemiological research. Through an NIH grant, she has supported the international ACORN (Acne Core Outcome Research Network); this is informing the development of standardised outcome measures for use in clinical trials.

She was co-Chief Investigator on a NIHR Health Technology Assessment (HTA) funded study examining the efficacy of Spironolactone in adult females with acne which demonstrated positive results and was recently published in the British Medical Journal. She is currently co-applicant on an NIHR programme grant looking at the development and impact of an intervention for acne and a further NIHR HTA funded study examining isotretinoin dosing. She represents the UK on European and International Global Acne Panels and is a member of the European Dermatology Forum. She has published widely and acted as clinical lead for Evidence Based Guidelines and Cochrane Systematic Reviews and is lead author for the Acne chapter in Rook’s Textbook of Dermatology and the Oxford Textbook of Medicine.

Prof. Alison Layton has received financial support/sponsorship for research support, consultation, or speaker fees from the following companies:

Alliance, Almirall, Beiersdorf, Eligo, Galderma Pharma, La Roche-Posay, Leo Pharma, L'Oreal, Novartis

Prof. Dr. med. Falk Rüdiger Ochsendorf is an Assistant Professor at the University Hospital Frankfurt/M, Department of Dermatology. He is a specialist in dermatology, allergology, environmental medicine, and andrology. His research on oxidative stress in male infertility earned him his Habilitation in 1996. As a member of both national and European guideline committees for acne, he has contributed significantly to dermatological research and practice.

Prof. Ochsendorf has been deeply involved in medical education, earning multiple awards for his teaching excellence, including the Theodor-Stern-Award and the E-Learning Award of the J.W. Goethe University. Since 2011, he has led the Frankfurter Arbeitsstelle für Medizindidaktik, focusing on curriculum development and medical didactics.

Following his statutory retirement in May 2023, Prof. Ochsendorf continues to contribute to teaching and curriculum organisation at the medical department, ensuring the continued development of dermatological education.

Prof. Dr Falk Ochsendorf has received financial support/sponsorship for research support, consultation, or speaker fees from the following companies:

Infectopharma, Mylan, Pierre Fabre Laboratories
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This educational programme is supported by an Independent Educational Grant from Glenmark Pharmaceuticals.
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DERMATOLOGY CONNECT

DERMATOLOGY CONNECT is an initiative of COR2ED, supported by Independent Educational Grant from Glenmark Pharmaceuticals, Bayer and Pierre Fabre Laboratories.

Meet the experts Independent IME approved
Programme summary
Take the micro learning assessment
Share this programme
x-twitter
This educational programme is supported by an Independent Educational Grant from Glenmark Pharmaceuticals.
Supporter Acknowledgement
This educational programme is supported by an Independent Educational Grant from Glenmark Pharmaceuticals.
I agree that this educational programme:

Was valuable to me

1/4
Brought to you by
DERMATOLOGY CONNECT

DERMATOLOGY CONNECT is an initiative of COR2ED, supported by Independent Educational Grant from Glenmark Pharmaceuticals, Bayer and Pierre Fabre Laboratories.

Meet the experts Independent IME approved

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