Dr Kwan Zhenli Skin Specialist

05/09/2025

📌 Understanding Psoriasis Treatment Made Simple! 🇲🇾

Here’s a quick guide based on the latest Malaysian Clinical Practice Guidelines on the Management of Psoriasis which was launched at the PDM Annual Dermatology Conference 2025 today🧴💊💡

👩‍⚕️ Step 1
📊 Assess severity using:
🔹 BSA (Body Surface Area)
🔹 DLQI (Dermatology Life Quality Index)

🔹 Mild Psoriasis (BSA ≤10% or DLQI ≤10)
👉 Start with Topical Therapy:
* Moisturisers
* Steroids (first-line)
* Vitamin D analogues, tar, salicylic acid, etc.

🔹 Moderate to Severe Psoriasis (BSA >10% or DLQI >10 or special areas involved)
👉 Start with:
1️⃣ Phototherapy (NB-UVB, PUVA)
2️⃣ If not suitable or goal not met:
➡️ Conventional systemic therapy (e.g. Methotrexate)
➡️ Oral small molecule (e.g. Apremilast)
➡️ Biological therapy (Anti-TNF, IL-17, IL-23)
📍Biologics may be first-line in severe cases based on clinical judgment.
✨ Topicals can still be used along the way!

👨‍👩‍👧 Whether you’re a patient, carer, or junior doctor—this algorithm helps guide the journey to clearer skin 🌟

02/09/2025

✨ We’re excited to launch two brand-new patient information leaflets featuring the latest dermatology medications 💊🌿:
• Tildrakizumab for psoriasis
• Ritlecitinib for severe alopecia areata
These guides are written in simple, patient-friendly language — helping you feel confident and informed about your treatment options.
👉 Swipe to see the highlights
💬 Check out the full versions (English and simplified Chinese) available on our website at drzhenli.com

31/08/2025

Today, we celebrate the beauty of Malaysia — our people, our culture, our unity in diversity, and the can-do “Malaysia Boleh” spirit 🇲🇾 . Just like healthy skin reflects care and protection, our nation thrives when we nurture and safeguard it together.

Here’s to clear skin and a stronger, healthier Malaysia. ✨ Happy National Day

27/08/2025

💡 Did you know? The Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) Laser is one of the most powerful tools in dermatology — and it’s not just for scars! ✨
From benign growths, warts, and rhinophyma, to signs of ageing, actinic keratosis, and more — this high-precision, tissue-selective treatment is designed to target your skin concerns with remarkable accuracy. 🎯🔥

✅ When performed by skilled hands, CO₂ laser treatment delivers safe, effective, and often life-changing results

🔍 Think CO₂ laser might be right for you? Consult your dermatologist to find out more💬👩🏻‍⚕️

11/08/2025

You can manage eczema flare ups while staying active! Check out the following tips on how to exercise if you have eczema
💧👕🧴 Stay hydrated
💧👕🧴 Wear eczema-friendly clothing
💧👕🧴 Choose gentle workouts
💧👕🧴 Keep cool and wipe off sweat
💧👕🧴 Shower after workouts
💧👕🧴 Moisturise before and after

04/08/2025

You see the skin. You don’t see the struggle. 💔

Psoriasis is more than what meets the eye—it affects sleep, confidence, finances, and mental health every single day.

This Psoriasis Awareness Month, let’s talk about what’s really going on beneath the surface.

👉 Swipe through to understand the daily battles many face.
❤️ Tag someone who needs to feel seen.
🔁 Share to help end the stigma around invisible illnesses.
✅ If you’re living with psoriasis, know that you’re not alone—and it’s okay to seek help. Talk to a healthcare provider today and take the first step towards effective treatment to restore your confidence.

03/08/2025

Talking about scalp biopsy today at the Hair & Scalp Workshop 💆🏻‍♀️ For those interested, the approach and interpretation is well-summarised in Dr Catherine Stefanato’s landmark paper🗒️ (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2559.2009.03439.x)

Thank you to the Department of Dermatology, Hospital Kuala Lumpur for organising this excellent course and for the kind invitation 📬

01/08/2025

Thank you MMA Berita for featuring Mohs micrographic surgery and raising awareness on the treatment of non-melanoma skin cancers 😍

13/07/2025

Sharing on nail biopsy techniques at the HKL Dermatology Symposium 2025 💜 Thank you for the invitation

13/07/2025

Check out my latest article on LinkedIn where I share about my observations and tips for working abroad as a doctor

Malaysian social media has been abuzz with the viral advertisement recruiting Malaysian doctors to work in Singapore whether as medical officers or clinical associates. With uncertainties in terms of career progression and job security, these work opportunities abroad do seem attractive to young doc

09/07/2025

The Malaysian Journal of Dermatology (MJD) January - June 2025 issue is now available online at https://journals.lww.com/mjd

Here are the highlights of this issue:

Original Articles
🌐Prevalence of contact allergen sensitization in Malaysian atopic dermatitis patients
🌐Contact sensitization in patients with chronic leg ulcer and stasis dermatitis
🌐Clinical features of onychomycosis and its causative organisms: a retrospective, single-centre analysis
🌐Identifying nerve involvement in newly diagnosed multibacillary leprosy: clinical versus electrophysiological test

Case Reports
🌐Pyoderma gangrenosum presenting as generalised ulcerative skin lesions in a patient with end-stage renal disease: a case report
🌐Reconstruction of a lateral lower eyelid defect following Mohs surgery
🌐Syringocystadenoma papilliferum associated with apocrine nevus – A rare lesion on the leg
🌐Lepromatous Leprosy With Lucio’s Phenomenon Treated Successfully With Sungai Buloh Augmented Multidrug Treatment

Correspondence
🌐Bullous mastocytosis masquerading as chronic bullous disease of childhood

Letter to Editor
🌐A brief reflection on my placement at the Department of Dermatology in Sarawak General Hospital, Sarawak

29/06/2025

In conjunction with June as the Acne Awareness Month, let’s take a look at a few commonly asked questions about acne treatment and skin care.

1.How do I integrate acne treatment into my skin care regime?

Topical treatment for acne can range from benzoyl peroxide, antibiotics like clindamycin, to retinoids. A simple mnemonic to remember is CAMP where:

C – Cleanse; A – Acne Treatment; M – Moisturise; P – Protect

In general, topical acne treatment should be applied after cleansing and before moisturising and protection (sunscreen). Nevertheless, some people who experience irritation from topical acne treatment can choose to use the “sandwich method” where moisturiser is applied both before and after the active treatment e.g. topical retinoid.

2.What labels should I look for on my skin care products?

Look out for terms like:

Non-comedogenic
Non-acnegenic
Oil-free
Does not clog pores

3.Is benzoyl peroxide safe?

In 2024, Valisure, an independent laboratory, found high levels of benzene in certain benzoyl peroxide products used for the treatment of acne. Benzoyl peroxide can break down into benzene, which can cause cancer. However, the testing in the laboratory was done under high temperatures which may not reflect real world conditions.

The US FDA later tested 95 acne products containing benzoyl peroxide and only 6 had high levels of benzene. The FDA concluded, “Even with daily use of these products for decades, the risk of a person developing cancer because of exposure to benzene found in these products is very low.” Research has also found that the regular use of benzoyl peroxide for acne is not linked to higher levels of benzene in the blood and is not linked to an increased risk of developing cancer.

You can take the following steps to prevent or reduce the breakdown of benzoyl peroxide:

Do not store in high temperatures (e.g. do not leave it in your car or in a hot shower)
Refrigerate benzoyl peroxide
Replace products that contain benzoyl peroxide after 10-12 weeks

You may also use benzoyl peroxide in the form of a wash.

4.How do pimple patches work?
Pimple patches are made from hydrocolloid. They absorb pus and fluid from pimples while protecting the pimple from touching/picking or dirt. Some also contain active ingredients like salicylic acid, niacinamide or tea tree oil, or may even have microneedles to deliver active ingredients. Pimple patches work on pimples with pus, red/angry pimples and early-stage pimples. Hydrocolloid may also help maintain moisture in the area which supports healing and reduces scarring.