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Allison Sit

May 21
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Scalp Biopsies for CCCA: JDD Buzz

By Uncategorized

scalp biopsies for CCCA

A recent Journal of Drugs in Dermatology brief communication and interview with Temitayo A. Ogunleye, MD, explore why patients often decline scalp biopsy despite its role in securing a diagnosis that can enable hair‑saving treatment. Key insights: Patients who consented demonstrated clearer understanding and greater trust in their clinicians; those who declined frequently had knowledge gaps rather than firm opposition, and many remained open to biopsy if their condition progressed.

Practical takeaways:

  • Introduce biopsy early and link it to outcomes patients value
  • Use clear, patient‑centered explanations about risks, benefits, and how biopsy may change management
  • Proactively address common concerns and build trust
  • Revisit the conversation over time—many patients will reconsider as the disease evolves

For dermatologists treating CCCA in skin of color, prioritizing education and shared decision‑making can improve diagnostic yield and treatment outcomes.

May 15
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Unique Skin Conditions in Asian Patients: SOCU Session Summary

By Sessions

Asian skin dermatology

Here’s a summary of key clinical pearls from the Skin of Color Update lecture by Hye Jin (Leah) Chung, MD, MMSc, FAAD, on managing dermatologic conditions in Asian patients:

  • Asian skin: higher ceramide content but greater propensity for reactivity → prioritize efficacy while minimizing irritation and PIH.
  • Melasma: emphasize photoprotection (tinted sunscreens to block visible/blue light) and gentler topicals (azelaic acid, kojic acid, topical TXA) over irritant triple combinations or cysteamine.
  • Oral tranexamic acid (TXA): Dr. Chung’s protocol — 325 mg BID × 3 months, then 325 mg daily × 3 months, then 6‑month drug holiday. Obtain thorough history and baseline thrombophilia testing (protein C/S, factor V Leiden, lupus anticoagulant, anticardiolipin antibodies) before initiation.
  • Lasers and pigment: low‑fluence Q‑switched or picosecond Nd:YAG for subcellular photothermolysis; consider picosecond/Q‑switched for deep dermal pigment (ABNOM). 1927 nm can help PIH via controlled epidermal/papillary dermal coagulation.
  • Scars: CROSS with TCA for ice‑pick scars; consider ablative CO₂ for papular scars (or needle + electrosurgery where laser unavailable).
  • Device safety: favor microneedling, fractional RF microneedling, and fractional picosecond modalities; use high‑energy/low‑density settings if performing fractional ablative/nonablative treatments to reduce PIH risk.

The write-up was written by Jay Nguyen, DO, and posted to Next Steps in Derm.

May 07
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Atopic Dermatitis in Skin of Color: SOCU Video Interview

By Sessions

atopic dermatitis in skin of color

Next Steps in Derm, in partnership with Skin of Color Update, sat down with Raj J. Chovatiya, MD, PhD (associate professor, Rosalind Franklin University/Chicago Medical School), to discuss diagnosing and treating atopic dermatitis in patients with darker skin tones.

Watch to learn:

  • Practical tips Dr. Chovatiya shares with trainees for recognizing AD in skin of color
  • How differences in presentation can influence treatment choice
  • His patient-centered approach (“Patients aren’t textbooks!”)
  • How to interpret the latest AD research for clinical care

Whether you teach, consult, or see a diverse clinic population, this conversation will sharpen diagnostic skills and therapeutic decision‑making.

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!

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