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"The upcoming IMCAS congress will showcase a dynamic and forward-looking clinical dermatology program, reflecting the field's evolving priorities and challenges."
Dr. Merete Haedersdal, MD, PhD, DMSc, is clinical professor of dermatology at University of Copenhagen and senior consultant at Dept of Dermatology, Bispebjerg University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Merete Haedersdal leads a research team of 20 researchers, focusing on translational medicine in the fields of skin cancer and laser dermatology. She is Director and Head of Research at the “Danish Research Center for Skin Cancer”, a national public-private research partnership, www.researchcenterforskincancer.org
She directs the Laser Dermatology Clinic at Bispebjerg University Hospital and is affiliated visiting scientist at Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, pioneering “laser-assisted drug delivery” together with Dr. R. Rox Anderson and his team.
Professor Merete Haedersdal has published more than 300 scientific papers and she lectures internationally. Her research team focuses on translational medicine in the field of laser dermatology, fractional laser-assisted drug delivery, photodynamic therapy, and treatment of skin cancer with light-based devices. Basic research data is translated into a clinical research program, which focuses on developing new and intensified topical treatments for skin cancer.
Dermatology has always fascinated me, and looking back, I feel truly fortunate to have learned from two mentors, who profoundly shaped my journey — my national mentor, Hans Christian Wulf, and my international mentor, Rox Anderson. As a medical student in the 1990s, I joined a research program where I first met Hans Christian. He opened my eyes to the world of laser dermatology and research — particularly the exciting potential of interdisciplinary collaboration between dermatology and technology. In the mid-2000s, I moved from Copenhagen to Boston, fortunate to be welcomed at the Wellman Center for Photomedicine. There, I pioneered the concept of laser-assisted drug delivery in collaboration with Rox and his team. Through a wonderful team effort, we succeeded in establishing the fundamental principles of LADD. Today, this technique has become a valuable part of the dermatological armamentarium, demonstrating significant success in both dermatology and aesthetic laser medicine.
Throughout my career, my research has focused on driving innovation in dermatology, always with the overarching goal of improving patient care and transforming patients’ lives.
Patient safety has always been one of my top priorities. For over a decade, I was affiliated with the Danish National Board of Health, working to ensure safe cosmetic procedures and to strengthen regulations concerning untrained laser providers. In 2008, Denmark became one of the first countries to introduce a national statutory order on cosmetic treatments, including procedures involving lasers and other energy-based devices. This regulatory effort has contributed to a significant reduction in reported cases of adverse effects and maltreatment. For practitioners looking to incorporate such procedures safely into their clinical practice, I strongly recommend reaching out to national health authorities and experienced colleagues for guidance within the specific national context.
Skin cancer remains a central focus of my research, and two key advances are offering new clinical perspectives. The integration of non-invasive imaging with AI is enhancing diagnostic accuracy while reducing the need for biopsies. Equally exciting is the use of laser-assisted drug delivery, which enables the transport of anticancer agents that would otherwise be unable to penetrate the skin barrier. By creating precise microchannels, lasers facilitate the targeted delivery of photosensitizers and topical chemotherapeutics, bringing innovation to skin cancer care and significantly improving the efficacy of treatments such as photodynamic therapy and topical anticancer therapies.
As Associate Scientific Director of the IMCAS Congress for Clinical Dermatology, I hold a multi-faceted role. One key responsibility is to oversee the clinical dermatology program to ensure it delivers the most up-to-date, internationally relevant approaches to patient care. As we work on the 2026 program, I’m particularly motivated to highlight innovative developments and breakthrough achievements that have the potential to advance clinical practice in dermatology. I look forward to it — clinical dermatology will be in the spotlight!
The upcoming IMCAS congress will showcase a dynamic and forward-looking clinical dermatology program, reflecting the field's evolving priorities and challenges. One major focus will be on inflammatory skin conditions, particularly active acne and rosacea, with sessions addressing treatment resistance and the integration of lasers and biologics into therapeutic strategies. We’ll also explore complex cases at the intersection of tattoo complications, allergies, and skin cancer, asking critical questions about diagnosis and management.
Pigmentation disorders remain a cornerstone topic — melasma, pigmented lesions, and broader pigmentation concerns continue to challenge dermatologists globally, prompting ongoing innovation. We’re also diving deep into drug-related aesthetic complications, including off-label uses of agents like methotrexate, corticosteroids, tranexamic acid, and spironolactone. Understanding biologics is another key theme — both in terms of safety and expanding indications — as these treatments are increasingly shaping modern dermatologic care.
In addition, we’ll spotlight skin diseases with systemic implications such as hidradenitis suppurativa (Verneuil disease), vitiligo, and pruritus, with a focus on their psychosocial impact and therapeutic innovation. Imaging technologies, from dermoscopy to high-resolution ultrasound, will also be emphasized — these tools are revolutionizing how we visualize and assess both medical and aesthetic conditions.
Emerging subjects include the dermatologic impact of GLP-1 receptor agonists, environmental factors, and the growing field of skin longevity. Discussions will touch on everything from sun protection to epigenetics, cosmeceuticals, and neurocosmetics. Hair disorders, scar management, and fibrotic skin conditions — often under-recognized — will also be addressed, as will new perspectives on non-melanoma skin cancers, where medical treatment and aesthetic rejuvenation increasingly intersect.
In short, the congress will reflect clinical dermatology in its full breadth — from foundational knowledge to cutting-edge therapies — with the goal of better understanding the skin and enhancing patient outcomes at every level.
IMCAS is the world’s largest professional organization dedicated to bridging aesthetic and classical dermatology. Uniquely, it fosters a global network of experts dedicated to advancing clinical dermatology through innovation, research, and interdisciplinary collaboration. By facilitating the exchange of knowledge across borders, IMCAS plays a key role in driving progress in both skin health and aesthetic science. Its international platform enables continuous dialogue and development, supporting the translation of emerging ideas into improved clinical practice worldwide.
For me personally, being part of IMCAS means having the entire world as my research playground. I never get tired of discussing new ideas with colleagues in this community.
We are entering an exciting new era in which skin cancer prevention is evolving in promising, new directions. Two recent developments stand out as particularly noteworthy. First, laser-based technologies are opening new frontiers in prevention. Recent studies suggest that fractional lasers not only treat precancerous lesions effectively, but also induce an anti-senescence response, which, combined with stimulation of the immune system, helps reduce the risk of skin cancers and premalignant lesions. Second, the expanding role of HPV vaccination — beyond its traditional use in cervical cancer — is now gaining traction in dermatologic oncology, particularly in preventing premalignant lesions like actinic keratosis. With these new insights, we may soon be able to offer skin cancer prevention from the inside, alongside the recommended topical use of sunscreens.
Together, these advances point to completely new ways of optimizing patient care.
