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.

Mar 26
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Traction Alopecia in Children: SOCU Video Interview

By Sessions

traction alopecia

Traction alopecia is a common subtype of alopecia in children and one that requires culturally sensitive care, according to Brandi Kenner-Bell, MD, FAAD. In this Next Steps in Derm video interview from Skin of Color Update, Dr. Kenner-Bell says clinicians should first understand a child’s haircare practices and cultural styling preferences before offering recommendations.

In the video, Dr. Kenner-Bell shares ways for dermatology clinicians to work collaboratively with children and their parents to protect hair health while respecting cultural practices. She shares tips she’s learned in her own practice at the Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, including questions to ask at a traction alopecia office visit.

Mar 20
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Improving Vitiligo Outcomes for Patients With Skin of Color

By Uncategorized

vitiligo in patients with skin of color

Vitiligo in patients with skin of color is especially burdensome due to the stark contrast between pigmented and nonpigmented skin. Thankfully, recent breakthroughs can halt disease progression as well as repigment the skin. In this Next Steps in Derm interview from Skin of Color Update, Pearl E. Grimes, MD, FAAD, a noted vitiligo expert, shares the results of available therapies for vitiligo in patients with skin of color.

Dr. Grimes is founder and chair of the upcoming Pigmentary Disorders Exchange Symposium to be held June 6 and 7 in Chicago. The conference will provide an in-depth exploration of skin pigmentation, including pigmentary sequelae that follow inflammatory skin conditions. In addition, the expert faculty will cover pathogenesis, clinical presentation, and cutting-edge treatment strategies for primary pigmentation conditions, such as vitiligo, as well as congenital presentations, and acquired dermal macular hyperpigmentation, across the full spectrum of skin types. Register today!

Mar 12
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Diet and HS: JDD Buzz

By Medical Dermatology

Diet and HS

A review in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology highlights diet as a promising adjunct in hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) management, with emerging evidence that targeted dietary changes may reduce inflammation and disease severity.

In this interview with Next Steps in Derm, the study’s authors outline the main takeaway: Several dietary strategies may benefit some patients. Avoiding dairy and brewer’s yeast has been associated with symptom improvement, likely by reducing hormonal and immune triggers linked to follicular plugging and inflammation. Diets that lower systemic inflammation—such as the Mediterranean diet and very-low-calorie ketogenic diet—have shown encouraging results in small studies. Limiting leucine-rich foods (e.g., meat, eggs, and dairy) may also help by reducing mTOR-driven pathways involved in HS lesion formation.

Addressing micronutrient deficiencies is another low-risk strategy. Supplementation with vitamin D or zinc in deficient patients has produced clinical improvement in some cases. In addition, intermittent fasting, including Ramadan-style fasting, has been associated with reduced inflammatory markers and lesion severity in a subset of patients.

Although most studies are small and further research is needed, the findings support diet as a personalized, noninvasive adjunct to medical therapy. Clinicians should move beyond general advice and consider discussing specific dietary patterns—such as Mediterranean, dairy-free, or brewer’s yeast–free approaches—with patients seeking to optimize HS control or reduce reliance on systemic medications.

Mar 04
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JAK Inhibitor Responses by Race: SOCU in the News

By Media Coverage

JAK inhibitor responses

An analysis presented at the 2025 Skin of Color Update explores whether JAK inhibitor responses differ by race in dermatologic diseases, such as atopic dermatitis (AD), vitiligo, and alopecia areata. Brett King, MD, PhD, examined outcomes by race and, when available, Fitzpatrick skin type (FST). Although no statistical testing was performed, numerical differences in response rates were observed, warranting further study.

Medscape’s news coverage of the session details phase 3 trial data for approved JAK inhibitors. In AD trials of abrocitinib, Black patients (8.8% of participants) had lower week 12 IGA 0/1 response rates compared with White patients (28% vs 43% at the 200 mg dose). Similar gaps were seen in pruritus reduction. In upadacitinib trials, Black patients showed nearly a 20% lower EASI-90 response than White patients at the 15 mg dose (24.1% vs 43.3%), though this difference diminished at 30 mg. Trials of ruxolitinib cream for AD also showed lower IGA 0/1 responses among Black patients compared with White and Asian patients.

However, this pattern did not hold in vitiligo trials of ruxolitinib cream, where Black patients had equal or higher response rates than other groups. Greater improvement was also observed in patients with darker Fitzpatrick skin types in some analyses. These findings raise questions about whether differences reflect biological variation, dosing, disease assessment challenges (such as recognizing erythema in darker skin), or even diagnostic inaccuracies, as highlighted by a reanalysis of alopecia areata trial photographs that identified misclassification in several Black patients.

Importantly, serious adverse events were rare across racial groups, and safety concerns associated with JAK inhibitors in rheumatoid arthritis trials have not appeared to translate to dermatologic populations.

Both Dr. King and Skin of Color Update Co-Chair Andrew F. Alexis, MD, MPH, FAAD, emphasized that these findings on JAK inhibitor responses are preliminary and hypothesis-generating. Larger, more diverse trials—particularly those stratified by skin type—are needed to determine whether true differences in treatment response exist and to improve disease assessment across diverse patient populations.

Feb 24
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Genetic Ancestry and Skin Disease: From the SOCU Poster Hall

By Medical Dermatology

genetic ancestry and skin disease

Skin of color dermatology is evolving beyond race-based categories as researchers explore connections between genetic ancestry and skin disease.

Research outlined in a poster presented at Skin of Color Update found that genetically inferred ancestry predicts gene expression differences more accurately than self-identified race, with more than 8% of highly expressed genes—and more than 19% of skin-related genes—showing variation between ancestry groups. These differences, including genes linked to conditions such as lichen planus and skin cancer, may influence disease risk, severity, and treatment response.

In this Next Steps in Derm commentary, poster author Emily Uh, BS, shares the clinical impact of these and other findings about genetic ancestry and skin disease. While genetic ancestry should complement—not replace—clinical evaluation and consideration of social factors, ancestry-informed research may help advance precision dermatology and improve care for diverse populations.

For more articles on skin of color dermatology, including research summaries and video interviews with leading experts, visit the Skin of Color page of Next Steps in Derm.

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