Monthly Archives

April 2026

Apr 29
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Chemical Peels in Patients With Skin of Color: SOCU in the News

By Media Coverage

chemical peels

Chemical peels by nature involve a risk of complications, and even more so when used in patients with skin of color. Heather Woolery-Lloyd, MD, FAAD, Skin of Color Update’s program development advisor, spoke about safe and effective chemical peels for skin of color.

As outlined in a Medscape article about the session, Dr. Woolery-Lloyd recommends a conservative approach to chemical peels in patients with darker skin tones, including proceeding in a series of peels spaced four weeks apart. Dr. Woolery-Lloyd says getting patients on-board with an extended treatment plan can be a challenge as most patients are looking for quick results. She recommends dermatology clinicians discuss expectations with their patients to determine whether alternative modalities would better achieve the patients’ treatment goals. If a patient with skin of color decides to proceed with a treatment plan that involves chemical peels, she recommends taking clinical photographs at each treatment to document change as the benefits typically appear gradually over time.

In order to reduce complications, Dr. Woolery-Lloyd also recommends clinicians stick to a limited number of products so that they have adequate understanding and clinical experience with the products they use. She also recommends having a neutralizer and cleanser readily available; patients may fail to stop using a retinoid in advance of a chemical peel and forget to say so, resulting in excess peel penetration. Dr. Woolery-Lloyd says patients who pick at their skin or those who do not protect their skin from the sun or avoid sun exposure should not undergo chemical peels.

For more on chemical peels, including a live demonstration, register for one of our sister conferences, the Pigmentary Disorders Exchange Symposium, which will be held in Chicago on June 6 and 7. Sessions will address the use of superficial, medium-depth and deep chemical peels in patients with pigmentary conditions, including melasma and hyperpigmentation.

Apr 21
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Scarring Alopecias: SOCU Interview with Dr. Susan Taylor

By Medical Dermatology

scarring alopecias

Scarring alopecias require early, effective treatment to stop progression and prevent further permanent hair loss. In an interview with Next Steps in Derm, in partnership with Skin of Color Update, Susan C. Taylor, MD, FAAD, shares the latest research in the understanding of scarring alopecias and how that’s influencing the therapeutic pipeline. Dr. Taylor, the Bernett Johnson Endowed Professor of Dermatology at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, outlines current and future treatments, including JAK inhibitors, metformin, and vitamin D.

For more on hair loss, join us on Saturday, June 27, for Hair and Scalp Disorders: The Rx Pad and Beyond, a virtual, one-day conference. The program provides a full-spectrum perspective on hair and scalp management, from diagnosis to therapeutics to nutrition and lifestyle factors. Led by co-chairs Adam Friedman, MD, and Amy McMichael, MD, every session emphasizes practical tools, decision-making, and real-world implementation. Register today!

Apr 13
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The AD, HS, and CHE Treatment Landscape

By Sessions

dermatology drug approvals

Unprecedented momentum in dermatology: The past 18 months have brought a wave of FDA approvals that meaningfully expand options for inflammatory skin disease—many supported by trials with substantial representation of patients with skin of color.

At Skin of Color Update, Conference Co-Chair Andrew F. Alexis, MD, MPH, FAAD, highlighted several advances that matter for clinical care and health equity.

Key updates include:

  • Tapinarof 1% cream for atopic dermatitis (now approved for ages ≥2) with diverse trial cohorts and comparable efficacy across racial groups.
  • Roflumilast 0.3% foam for plaque psoriasis (scalp/body) with rapid itch relief.
  • Ruxolitinib extended to children ≥2 years for mild-to-moderate AD.
  • Delgocitinib cream approved for moderate-to-severe chronic hand eczema.
  • Lebrikizumab showing improvement in post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation in Fitzpatrick IV–VI patients.
  • Nemolizumab approved for AD ≥12 years.
  • Bimekizumab for moderate-to-severe hidradenitis suppurativa.
  • Dupilumab gains indications for chronic spontaneous urticaria and bullous pemphigoid.

These approvals are already shaping updated AD guidelines, which strongly recommend new topicals, biologics, and JAKs for moderate-to-severe disease. Read the full session summary written by Dr. Riyad Seervai to explore the data and subgroup findings.

Apr 07
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CSU in Patients With Skin of Color: SOCU Video Interview

By Sessions

chronic spontaneous urticaria in skin of color

Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is deceptively intermittent — and that can mean missed or delayed diagnoses, especially in patients with darker skin where subtle changes are harder to spot.

In a Next Steps in Derm interview at Skin of Color Update, Dr. Mona Shahriari (Yale) calls CSU “the rash that ghosts you” and shares practical tips for recognizing CSU in patients with skin of color.

Watch and learn:

  • How CSU can present differently on darker skin and what to look for
  • What’s new in the CSU toolbox — diagnostic approaches and emerging management strategies
  • Clear, pragmatic recommendations for antihistamine use and when to escalate care

This is essential for those who want to reduce diagnostic delays and improve outcomes in diverse patient populations. Tune in to hear Dr. Shahriari’s insights and actionable takeaways.

Apr 01
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Hair Transplantation in Afro-Textured Hair: From the SOCU Poster Hall

By Uncategorized

afro-textured hair transplantation

Hair transplantation is on the rise — driven by social media and growing demand across ages and genders. But for people with afro-textured hair, the story is more complex.

New research presented in a poster at Skin of Color Update and detailed in an interview with lead author Rachel Lubinga, DO, found no formal pre‑ and post‑op guidelines specific to afro‑textured hair — despite biological differences and cultural styling practices that affect outcomes.

Afro‑textured hair often grows more slowly and is more vulnerable to tension and chemical damage. Without tailored education, patients may return to high‑risk styles too soon, risking loss of newly grafted follicles or worsened scarring. The poster offers practical recommendations, including individualized assessment of potential candidates, collaboration with patients and hairstylists, and clear aftercare instructions.

Culturally informed counseling and standardized guidance can improve surgical results, protect gains, and reduce preventable hair loss. Read the interview for Dr. Lubinga’s pre- and post-transplant recommendations.

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