Long before a new wrinkle relaxer, eczema medication or hair loss treatment reaches your dermatologist’s office, it spends years being studied and tested in real patients. You may be surprised to learn that much of that testing happens right here in Omaha at Schlessinger MD. The Skin Research Center that Drs. Joel and Daniel Schlessinger have built has grown into one of the most respected dermatology trial sites in the country, and it all started with a simple question: What’s next, and how do we get it to our patients years ahead of everyone else?
“Clinical trials allow us to see the next generation of medications, devices and treatments years before nearly every other dermatologist in the country. They give our patients access to treatments up to five years or more before other clinics in the area. They can even completely alleviate issues where there haven’t been solutions before, or better treatments than available otherwise,” says board-certified dermatologist, Mohs surgeon, and cosmetic surgeon Dr. Joel Schlessinger.
That reward is just as much about the patients on the receiving end for Dr. Daniel Schlessinger, also a board-certified dermatologist, Mohs surgeon, and cosmetic surgeon. “The most exciting part is getting access to medications and treatments years before they ever come to market and being able to offer them to patients who have tried, and failed, everything else that is currently available,” he says.
That head start is the whole idea. Patients at the Schlessinger MD Skin Research Center can access tomorrow’s treatments today, at no cost, often after everything else has come up short.
Why we built a research center
Curiosity got the department started, but results are what kept it growing. Over the years, our team has run trials across nearly the full range of dermatology, and that breadth is genuinely unusual.
On the medical side, we have conducted trials for psoriasis, atopic dermatitis and eczema, alopecia areata, hidradenitis suppurativa, vitiligo and common warts. On the cosmetic side, we have studied wrinkle relaxers like BOTOX®, Dysport®, Jeuveau and DAXXIFY®, as well as a range of fillers including newer options like HArmonyCa™, injectables designed to reduce submental fat like KYBELLA® and devices such as Ultherapy and Liposonix.
Running both medical and cosmetic trials under one roof is rare. Most research centers commit to one lane or the other. That combination sets the program apart, along with a few others worth naming: we are among the most published dermatologists in Nebraska, with several of those publications coming directly from research conducted at Schlessinger MD. Additionally, we are often the highest-enrolling site for the trials we take on, and we were recently voted first place in Best of Omaha as the best clinical research facility.
None of that happens without the people carrying it out. “Our study team is outstanding, not only as measured by our respect and appreciation for them, but also by the companies that come to us and applaud them for their efficiency, devotion to doing things right and the results they obtain,” says Dr. Joel. “Even one minor thing done incorrectly can change everything and lead to a patient who can’t be in the study or who is harmed. This is why they are so special.”
That dedication also helps the program keep growing. “We are constantly looking to expand our reach and offer more cosmetic trials for new injectables, anti-aging and skin care products and energy-based devices,” says Dr. Daniel Schlessinger.
Behind the scenes: How a clinical trial works
Most people picture a clinical trial as a mystery, but it’s a highly organized process. Every study runs on a protocol, a detailed roadmap from the drug company that spells out exactly what happens at each visit, from which labs are drawn to when medication is given. Our team builds custom tracking around it, so every visit follows the same careful, documented steps.
Studies also run in phases. Most of ours are phase two and phase three, the stages that evaluate dosing and determine how well a treatment works compared to a placebo or another medication. We enroll patients as young as two.
Studies are also carefully controlled. Sometimes even our own nurses don’t know which patients are receiving the active treatment and which are receiving a placebo. That structure, called a blinded or partially blinded study, along with close monitoring at every visit, is what keeps the findings trustworthy.
What it costs to participate
Here’s the part patients rarely expect. Our paid clinical trials don’t run through insurance and they cost participants nothing. There’s no bill and no coverage to sort out. Patients are also compensated for each visit they complete.
Studies fill through a mix of channels. Sponsors sometimes fund advertising, and we also enroll through patient referrals, referrals from other dermatologists or community awareness. For clinical trials in the Omaha area, our list of enrolling and upcoming studies is updated regularly.
The stories that stay with us
Compassion and trust guide everything our team does, and the payoff is seeing the changes we get to be part of. For many patients, a trial is a turning point after years of treatments that didn’t work.
Dr. Joel points to early eczema trials as an example of why the work matters. “We saw patients who had children who were literally clawing themselves raw, and parents who were beyond any reasonable level of stress,” he says. “They were fractured, and their lives revolved around keeping their children as comfortable as possible. Our clinical trials offered treatments that allowed these families to sleep. I was so happy to make an impact that affected so many people and changed their lives.”
That kind of outcome is why our team holds itself to such a high standard. Over the years, we’ve watched patients with severe alopecia regrow full heads of hair and patients with widespread psoriasis clear almost completely over the course of a study. With skin, the difference is often something you can see across the room, and it’s a privilege to help make it happen.
If you’re living with a skin condition that traditional treatments haven’t helped, or you’re interested in trying tomorrow’s cosmetic and medical breakthroughs before they reach the market, you may be a candidate for one of our current studies. You can find out what studies we’re currently performing here, or schedule an appointment to see Dr. Joel or Dr. Daniel through our appointment portal.