Author Guidelines

SUBMISSION OVERVIEW

The Journal currently publishes articles in the following categories: Original Article, Review, Research Letter, Image Letter, Opinion, Commentary, Letter to the Editor, and Editorial. Descriptions are provided below. Please adhere to the article guidelines and the Journal’s style guide (see below).

Upload all required files and complete all metadata using the Journal’s online Manuscript Management and Submission System at dpcj.org. Please ensure that all authors are entered correctly. Do not send files via email, as this will delay the processing of your submission.

Please note: incomplete submissions will be automatically deleted from the platform after 10 days.

Language: All submissions must be in English and thoroughly checked for grammar, spelling, punctuation, and clarity. Submissions that do not meet the Journal’s language standards will be returned for revision. Please refer to the style guide below for details.

File Format: Manuscripts must be submitted in Microsoft Word or RTF format, using Times New Roman, 12-point font (including text in tables). The abstract and main text must be double-spaced, with continuous line numbering and page numbers. Each table should not exceed one single-spaced page (approximately 500 words). Remove all identifying information from the manuscript file and its metadata to ensure a double-blind review process.

Authorship: By submitting a manuscript, authors confirm that the work is original, has not been previously published (except in abstract or preliminary form), and is not under consideration for publication elsewhere. Any prior presentation at conferences or inclusion in meeting proceedings must be disclosed in the Cover Letter.

All listed authors must meet the following authorship criteria:

  1. Substantial contributions to the conception, design, data acquisition, analysis, or interpretation.
  2. Involvement in drafting the manuscript or revising it critically for important intellectual content.
  3. Final approval of the version to be published.
  4. Agreement to be accountable for all aspects of the work.
  5. Agreement on the choice of the journal for submission.
  6. Agreement that the corresponding author will act on behalf of all authors in matters related to the submission, peer review, and post-publication communication.

Authorship statement (examples):

  • 1 author: The author confirms full responsibility for the content of the manuscript.
  • >1 author: All authors contributed significantly to the work and approved the final version.

Plagiarism: All manuscripts are screened using plagiarism detection software (e.g., Turnitin). Authors are responsible for ensuring the originality of their work.

Conflict of Interest Statement: A conflict of interest statement must accompany each submission. If there are no conflicts to disclose, a declaration in the Cover Letter is sufficient. In cases of potential conflicts, signed disclosure forms may be required.

Creative Commons License Agreement: A signed Creative Commons License Agreement must be provided with each submission. The agreement must be signed by all authors.

Images: For detailed information on artwork, figure formatting, tables, abbreviations, and supplementary materials, see the section "Figure Preparation and Submission Guidelines" below.

SUBMISSION CATEGORIES

Original Article

    • Experimental study (randomized, nonrandomized trials)
    • Observational study (cohort study, case control study, cross-sectional study)
    • Large case series

    Consult the  STROBE statement for observational studies, the CONSORT statement for randomized controlled trials, and the STARD statement for studies of diagnostic accuracy.

    Key Message 
    Outline the key message of your study in about 30 words (2 or 3 sentences), which will be listed in the table of contents.

    Abstract 
    Structured (Introduction, Objectives, Methods, Results, and Conclusions).  

    Word count: ≤250.

    Main Text

    • Headings: Introduction, Objectives, Methods, Results, and Conclusions.
    • Word count:  ≤3,000 excluding the abstract, references, figure legends, and tables.
    • Figures and Tables: ≤10 combined total.
    • References: Well balanced; no limit.
    • Keywords: ≤5.

Review

    • Systematic Review; Meta-Analysis
    • Clinical Guideline
    • Narrative review*

    High-quality systematic reviews and meta-analyses have a clearly defined search strategy and method, present a balanced, critical discussion, and use a well-defined method to identify and select relevant research and to collect and analyze data from the studies that are included. Consult the PRISMA reporting guidelines for systematic reviews and meta-analyses.

    A complete, accurate, and in-depth Review should aim at improving decision-making in clinical medicine or medical education. It should be relevant to the field. The comparative or descriptive study should accurately present a balanced, critical discussion and address a clearly formulated question relevant to clinical practice.

    *Narrative or historical reviews are welcome, and authors are free to choose their own section headings. An unstructured Abstract ≤250 words must be provided.

    Key Message 
    Outline the key message of your study in about 30 words (2 or 3 sentences), which will be listed in the table of contents.

    Abstract 
    Structured (Introduction, Objectives, Methods, Results, and Conclusions).

     Word count: ≤250. 

    Main Text

    • Headings: Introduction, Objectives, Methods, Results, and Conclusions. 
    • Word count:  ≤3,000, excluding the Abstract, references, figure legends, and tables.
    • Figures and Tables: ≤10 combined total.
    • References: Well balanced; no limit.
    • Keywords: 4–5

Research Letter

Small observational study or small case series written in response to content published previously in the Journal or a report on new information not readily available in textbooks for continuing medical education.

Abstract: None

Main text

  • Headings:  Introduction, Case Presentation, and Conclusion.
    • Introduction: Describe why the case is unique and what it adds to the scientific literature. Note: priority statements will not be published by the Journal.
    • Case Presentation or Findings: Describe important clinical and diagnostic findings and challenges and diagnosis in a case report/series or original research.
    • Discussion: Section may be added; however, the report must adhere to the 500-word limit.
    • Conclusion: Describe the primary “take-away” lessons of the case report/series or research.
  • Authors: ≤6.
  • Word count: ≤500, excluding references and figure legends.
  • Figures: ≤2; Table: ≤1.
  • References: ≤6.
  • Keywords: ≤5.
  • No supplementary files/materials.

Image Letter

A case presentation consisting of one (1) image (clinical, dermoscopic, or histopathologic) that represents a “teaching point.” An Image Letter may report new information not readily available in textbooks for the continuing medical education.

Abstract: None

Main text

  • Headings:  Case Presentation and Teaching Point
  • Authors: ≤6.
  • Word count: ≤250, excluding references and figure legend.
  • Figure: 1; Table: 0.
  • References: ≤2.
  • No supplementary files/materials.

Commentary

Brief communication on important news in dermatology, ethics, or public health.

  • Authors: ≤6.
  • Word count: ≤500 excluding references, figure legend.
  • Figure or Table: ≤1.
  • References: ≤10.

Opinion

A brief, provocative, opinionated communication on a controversial subject. Most commentaries are commissioned, but unsolicited commentaries are also welcome. Unsolicited commentaries will be peer-reviewed.

  • Authors: ≤6.
  • Word count: ≤1,000, excluding references, figure legend.
  • Figures and Tables: ≤10 combined total.
  • References: ≤10.

Letter to the Editor

Address to the Editor-in-Chief a brief communication discussing a recent article in Dermatology Practical & Conceptual.

  • Authors: ≤6.
  • Word count: ≤400, excluding references, figure legend.
  • Figures & Tables: 0.
  • References: ≤5.

Editorial

Editorials will be published at the discretion of the Editor-in-Chief.

  • Authors: ≤6.
  • Word count: ≤1,000, excluding references, figure legend.
  • Figures and Tables: ≤10 combined total.
  • References: ≤10.

Formatting

Titles: Capitalize the first letter of each word in the title.

Numbers: Use numerals unless the numeral is the first word of a sentence.

US Punctuation: Punctuation should be placed inside quotation marks.

IMAGES

Photographs and micrographs must be submitted as TIFF (preferred) or maximum-quality JPG files (minimum compression, e.g., JPEG level 12), in RGB or grayscale mode, with a resolution of 300 dpi and a maximum file size of 3 MB. Remove all unnecessary white margins from around or between image elements, whether individual or part of a composite figure.

Figures must be cited consecutively in the text and numbered in the order in which they are discussed. Legends must be concise and placed on a separate page at the end of the manuscript. Do not include legends within the image files. Include scale bars in electron microscopy images and specify the staining method used in histologic figures.

Line art (e.g., diagrams and graphs with no shading) should be scanned in bitmap mode at 900–1200 dpi and saved in TIFF format. If bitmap mode is not available, submit the file in RGB or grayscale mode at 500–900 dpi as a high-quality JPG. Mixed figures (photographs with overlaid text or graphic elements) should be submitted in RGB or grayscale at 500–900 dpi, as high-quality JPG files.

When presenting multiple related images, authors must assemble them into a single panel. Upload the final composite panel only—not the individual component images. Each element within the panel must be labeled with uppercase letters (A–Z) placed inside the image itself, in the top-left or bottom-left corner. Do not add these letters as external text or captions.

Image files must be named clearly according to their citation order in the text (e.g., Figure1.jpg, Figure2.tiff).

TABLES

Tables must be self-explanatory and should supplement, not duplicate, the content of the text. Each table should fit on one single-spaced typed page (approximately 500 words). Tables should be created using the table function of a word processing application (preferably Microsoft Word); Excel files are accepted, but PDF format is not allowed.

Use a separate cell for each value. Cite tables in the text in numerical order. Titles must be clear and concise. Each table should include a title, appropriate column and row headings, and explanatory footnotes, including definitions of all abbreviations used.

SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL

Authors may submit supplementary material that cannot be included in the main article due to length, file size, or format limitations. Supplementary files may include datasets, extended tables, additional figures, videos, or other media, and will be made available online alongside the published article.

Supplementary material must be uploaded during the submission process as separate files only when they are distinct and independent. When multiple related items are intended as a single supplement (e.g., several tables or figures), they must be compiled into one single file before uploading.

Supplementary material will not be peer-reviewed or copyedited, so authors are responsible for ensuring clarity, accuracy, and proper formatting. Do not include author names, affiliations, or contact details in any supplementary file.

If more than one supplementary item is submitted, each must be referenced in sequence within the main text (e.g., “see Supplementary Table S1”). Do not include supplementary material in the References section. A list of supplementary items will appear as an appendix at the end of the manuscript. Title each supplementary file using the prefix “S” (e.g., Table S1, Figure S1, Video S1).

Acceptable formats include: PDF (preferred for figures and tables), Word (.doc/.docx), Excel (.xls/.xlsx), and multimedia files (.mpg, .mp4, .mp3).

REFERENCES

References must be listed at the end of the manuscript in numerical order, according to the order in which they are cited in the text. Each reference must be cited in the text using square brackets, after punctuation (e.g., “...as previously described [1].”).

Do not use:

  • Superscripted numbers (e.g., ¹)

  • Round brackets (e.g., (1))

  • Citation numbers placed before punctuation (e.g., [1].)

Correct examples:
✔ “...in recent studies [1].”
✔ “...multiple trials [2,3].”
✔ “...as shown in previous work [4–6].”

Use abbreviated journal names (e.g., J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol) and italicize journal titles. Abbreviations must follow the List of Journals Indexed for MEDLINE, available via the NLM Catalog.

Include the PMID and/or DOI for each reference, when available. If both are available, include both.

Follow the Journal’s citation style as outlined in the Style Guide. Authors are responsible for the accuracy and completeness of all references. Submissions that do not comply with these instructions may be returned for correction before peer review or publication.

Sample References:

Journal article
Iuliano A, Strianese D, Uccello G, Diplomatico A, Tebaldi S, Bonavolonta G. Risk factors for orbital exenteration in periocular basal cell carcinoma. Am J Ophthmal. 2012;153(2):238–241.  DOI: 10.1016/j.ajo.2011.08.004. PMID: 21982108.

Authors: If there are more than 6 authors to one reference, list the names of the first 3 authors followed by et al.

Online-only journals; no DOI
Marreiros HF, Loff C, Calado E. Osteoporosis in paediatric patients with spina bifida. J Spinal Cord Med. 2012;35(1):9-21. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22330186. Accessed March 28, 2012.

Book chapter
Calonje E, Wilson-Jones E. Vascular tumors. In: Elder D, ed. Lever’s Histopathology of the Skin. 8th ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott; 1997:889-932.

Entire book
Elder D, Elenitsas R. Lever’s Histopathology of the Skin. Philadelphia: Lippincott; 1997.

Website
International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE). Recommendations for the Conduct, Reporting, Editing, and Publication of Scholarly Work in Medical Journals. Updated December 2018. Accessed March 9, 2019. http://www.icmje.org/recommendations/

Software
Epi Info [computer program]. Version 6. Atlanta: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; 1994.

Database
CANCERNET-PDQ [database online]. Bethesda, MD: National Cancer Institute; 1996. Updated March 29, 1996. Accessed June 26, 1997. Website Gostin LO. Drug use and HIV/AIDS. American Medical Association web site. Available at: http://www.ama-assn.org/special/hiv/ethics. Published June 1, 1996. Accessed June 26, 1997.

ABBREVIATIONS AND STYLE

Abbreviations must be defined at first mention in text and in each table and figure. If a brand name is cited, manufacturer and address (city and state/country) should be supplied. For a list of standard abbreviations, consult the Council of Biology Editors Style Guide (available from the Council of Science Editors, 9650 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20814) or other standard sources. The full term for which an abbreviation stands should precede its first use unless it is a standard unit of measure. Refer to drugs and therapeutic agents by their accepted generic or chemical names, and do not abbreviate the name. Use code numbers only when a generic name is not yet available. In that case, supply the chemical name and a figure giving the chemical structure of the drug. Consult the latest edition the Manual of Style by the American Medical Association for current usage.

PAGE PROOFS

Corresponding authors will be alerted via email when page proofs of copyedited articles are ready. Log into the Journal’s Manuscript Management and Submission System for updates. It is the author’s responsibility to ensure that there are no errors in the proofs. Changes that have been made to make the article conform to Journal style should be allowed to stand if they do not alter the authors’ meaning. Proofs must be checked carefully and returned as requested in the cover letter accompanying the page proofs.

JOURNAL SECTIONS

The following topics are highlighted in the Journal:

  • Allergology
  • Autoimmune & Blistering Diseases
  • Cosmetics & Aesthetic Dermatology
  • Dermatologic Surgery
  • Dermatopathology
  • Hair & Nail Diseases
  • Infectious Diseases & STDs
  • Inflammatory Diseases
  • Oncology (including Dermoscopy, Confocal & Skin Imaging)
  • Pediatric Dermatology

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

All others who contributed to the work who are not authors should be named in the Acknowledgments, and their contribution(s) should be described. All those listed should be aware of it.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Manuscripts

The use of AI-assisted tools (e.g., ChatGPT, GPT-4, Bard) is permitted only for language and grammar improvements. AI must not generate original scientific content, conduct analyses, or interpret data. Authors must disclose AI use in the Methods or Acknowledgments section. AI cannot be listed as an author, as it does not meet authorship criteria. Authors remain fully responsible for the integrity, accuracy, and originality of their work. Editors and reviewers must not use AI for peer review. Manuscripts will undergo plagiarism and ethical checks, and undisclosed or improper AI use may lead to rejection or retraction.

Misconduct, Plagiarism, and AI-related Violations

Authors are fully responsible for the accuracy and authenticity of all references included in their manuscripts. In cases where serious inconsistencies are found—such as non-existent references, fabricated data, or citation of unpublished material—the editorial office reserves the right to suspend or terminate the editorial process at any stage.

The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools in the preparation of references must be explicitly declared under the Declarations section of the manuscript. The editorial office may conduct verifications both before and after pre-acceptance by the Editor-in-Chief. Manuscripts found to include AI-generated references without disclosure may be subject to immediate suspension.

In the event of confirmed misconduct, including but not limited to plagiarism, fabrication, or fraudulent citation practices, no refund will be granted for any editorial or publication services already rendered. Furthermore, if the manuscript is withdrawn due to misconduct after acceptance or final processing, the publisher reserves the right to apply a penalty fee equivalent to twice the standard publication fee.