Skin diseases often appear differently on melanin-rich skin, making specialized dermatology knowledge essential for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment.
There can be differences in how skin diseases and conditions look on melanin-rich skin, compared to how they might appear in lighter skin types. Common skin conditions such as psoriasis, eczema (also known as atopic dermatitis), and acne, to name a few, can present with unique features in individuals with skin of color. For example, the redness that typically helps doctors diagnose psoriasis or eczema in lighter skin tones may present in shades of red, violet, brown, or gray in darker skin.
There are various hair and scalp issues, as well as conditions such as keloids (scars), pigmentation problems (dark spots or light spots), and others that affect people of color more commonly or uniquely.
“Many dermatologic diseases and conditions that uniquely or disproportionately affect patients of color can significantly impact an individual’s self-esteem, quality of life, and overall well-being. These conditions can also carry a higher disease burden and health disparities. Therefore, it is so important that all physicians are well-trained and comfortable with treating dermatologic conditions in all skin types, including skin of color,” says Nada Elbuluk, M.D., M.Sc., FAAD, president of the Skin of Color Society (SOCS).
Advancing education, training, and research
Some dermatologic conditions, diseases, and underlying illnesses in individuals with skin of color can be misdiagnosed, diagnosed at later stages, or under-treated, due to training limitations and a lack of images of skin of color in medical textbooks, along with other factors contributing to healthcare disparities. While strides have been made to include all skin colors in the medical literature, more work needs to be done to advance education, training, and research in skin of color dermatology.
That’s where SOCS comes in as the world’s leading professional organization dedicated to advancing skin of color dermatology through research, education, mentorship, and advocacy. SOCS has numerous longstanding programs and groundbreaking initiatives that promote greater awareness of and excellence in the specialty of skin of color dermatology.
SOCS offers extensive public education resources covering a range of diseases and conditions affecting individuals with skin of color. For more information, visit the Public Education section of our website and the Educational Video Showcase, which features videos on various dermatologic conditions. In addition, SOCS offers a Find-A-Doctor tool on its website to locate SOCS members who are board-certified dermatologists by region.
The importance of a board-certified dermatologist with special training in treating skin of color
In general, board-certified dermatologists are physicians who have been extensively trained for many years, beginning with an undergraduate college degree, four years of medical school training, an internship focused on learning primary care, followed by a dermatology residency. Often, many continue exploring specialized ways to serve patients through fellowship training on everything from pediatric dermatology, advanced skin cancer surgery (Mohs surgery), dermatopathology, cosmetics and lasers, and complex medical dermatology, amounting to thousands of hours of clinical training. Dermatologists specialize in diagnosing and treating conditions and diseases affecting the hair, skin, nails, and mucous membranes (or soft linings inside the mouth, nose, and eyes).
It is important for patients of color to seek care from a board-certified dermatologist with training and expertise in treating skin of color, who can make an accurate diagnosis, understand the subtleties of dermatologic diseases and conditions in darker skin, and provide patients with appropriate treatment options to manage their conditions most effectively.
Moreover, a dermatologist with experience in skin of color is well-equipped to treat each individual in a culturally sensitive and responsive way, which has been shown to contribute to a better patient experience and improved health outcomes.
For more information, view “Dermatologic Differences in Darker Skin” and “Why You Need to See a Board-Certified Dermatologist,” featuring nationally and globally recognized SOCS experts.
