Publishing a research paper as a young author can be a daunting experience. It is therefore very important that scientific publishers support young researchers through every step of the experience from data gathering to the final dissemination of the article.

We spoke with Dr. med. Sora Jung, dermatologist at the Charité in Berlin, about her publishing experiences with us. She recently published her research article “In vivo skin penetration, radical protection and structural changes after topical application of a herbal oil cream compared to topical calcipotriol in mild to moderate psoriasis” in Karger’s journal Skin Pharmacology and Physiology.

What is your research background and area of specialization?

I am a dermatologist at the Charité Center of Experimental and Applied Cutaneous Physiology with a main research focus on non-invasive in-vivo imaging methods of the skin, the interaction of antioxidants and free oxygen species, dermatological toxicities under chemotherapy, and clinical studies in the fields of dermatology and skin physiology.

You recently published a manuscript in Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, can you tell us a little about your paper?

In this study, an herbal oil cream was compared to the standard treatment of care in mild to moderate psoriasis along with the assessment of skin physiological parameters using laser scan microscopy, Raman microscopy and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy.

How do you think the findings of your study might be used in the future?

Since our research group has a focus on the interaction of cutaneous antioxidants and free radicals, we have been investigating various topically and systemically applied agents with antioxidative properties. The findings present an alternative skin care treatment in mild psoriasis, which can be used as a supplement or alternative to the standard topical psoriatic treatment.

Why did you decide to publish this study with Karger?

The authors of the study were looking for a journal that covers the technical part of the different skin parameters, as well as the clinical study part. Skin Pharmacology and Physiology had a suitable focus and readership for the key messages in our study.

Can you tell us a little about your experience of publishing with Karger?

The submission and peer review process were uncomplicated and clear. All our questions were directly answered, and the publication process was relatively fast.

What would you tell someone considering submitting to Karger for the first time?

I would recommend checking whether the focus of the considered journal matches the paper and to be prepared for a thorough peer review.

What advice would you give to researchers writing their first articles to get the most out of the publishing process?

I would recommend having the publication critically read before submission. The thorough peer review might reveal possible critical points or flaws that can be addressed beforehand to enhance the chances of acceptance.

Thank you very much for telling us about your research and experience publishing with us here at Karger. We are certain that your comments will help others in the future.

Read Sora’s article and the latest from Dermatology.

If you are interested in publishing with Karger, read this blog post on the submission process at Karger and find the answers to all the common questions.