Opening remarks

Dear Friends,

I assumed the role of editor-in-chief of the Journal of Skin and Sexually Transmitted Diseases with a great sense of responsibility. As we embark on this journey together, I am enthusiastic about the journey ahead and hope I can do justice to the task entrusted to me. I understand it is not easy to match the commitment and perseverance expressed by my predecessors in making this journal reach its current level. Dermatology, as a discipline, has witnessed remarkable progress over the years, from groundbreaking treatments for skin conditions to innovative technologies revolutionizing diagnosis and patient care. However, as we stand on the threshold of a new era, we must embrace innovation more than ever. At the same time, it is also important to balance the changes happening in clinical dermatology, leprology, and venereology. As an editor, I wish to balance all these areas. It is vital to involve more experts in the editorial process, and I hope I will be able to seek help from various subspecialties from different geographical areas. This is especially important as we have started receiving manuscript submissions from other regions of the world. The most significant challenge ahead of me is to get our journal indexed with various indexing and abstracting services. This is essential to increasing its visibility and acceptance.

Moreover, our approach to dermatological research and practice must evolve in response to the changing healthcare landscape. We must embrace interdisciplinary collaboration, drawing insights from immunology, genetics, and digital health to broaden our perspective and explore new frontiers. Cosmetic, procedural, and surgical dermatology are becoming more relevant. By fostering collaboration and exchanging ideas, we can catalyze innovation and drive progress in dermatology. Tropical dermatology and dermatosis of pigmented skin will remain our focus, but we will always welcome manuscripts from different parts of the world. At the same time, we must remain vigilant in upholding the highest standards of scientific rigor and ethical conduct. As editors, reviewers, and authors, we are responsible for ensuring the integrity and credibility of the research published in our journal. By maintaining transparency, rigorously evaluating submissions, and adhering to ethical guidelines, we can uphold our readers’ trust and contribute to advancing dermatological science. As I take on the role of Editor-in-Chief, our editorial team is keen to foster excellence, collaboration, and innovation within our journal. By embracing innovation and working in unison, we can shape a future for the journal that is dynamic and impactful. I look forward to embarking on these exciting days with every one of you.

Warm regards,

Dr. K. Ajithkumar,

Editor-in-Chief,

JSSTD.