Jul 17
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Practical Dermatology: SOCU 2024 Coverage on Minimizing Complications

By Media Coverage

minimize complications

Practical Dermatology posted an interview with Skin of Color Update Conference Co-Chair Eliot F. Battle, MD, who shares the motivation behind the conference’s launch 17 years ago. He outlines the reasons why dermatology clinicians should pursue education and training on the treatment of patients with skin of color, and how technological advances are providing new opportunities for high-quality care in this patient population.

Dr. Battle frequently addresses Skin of Color Update attendees on using laser and energy-based devices in patients with skin of color. Hear his quick tips on minimizing and treating complications, and learn how to grow your skills – and your practice – in treating patients with skin of color using devices.

Register now for Skin of Color Update 2025 and increase your knowledge of how to provide safe and effective dermatologic care for patients with skin of color.

Jul 11
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Drug Approvals in Medical Dermatology at SOCU with Andrew F. Alexis, MD, MPH

By Medical Dermatology, Sessions

drug approvals in medical dermatology

In the last few years, the FDA has granted approval to several dermatologic therapies that impact patients with skin of color. At Skin of Color Update 2024, Conference Co-Chair Andrew F. Alexis, MD, MPH, spoke with Next Steps in Derm about some of the recently approved topical, biological, and oral therapies.

Watch and learn how these newly approved treatments address conditions that disproportionately affect and burden patients with skin of color. Wonder what’s coming? Dr. Alexis shares his take on what’s ahead in the drug pipeline.

Register for Skin of Color Update 2025 for more updates in medical therapies for patients with skin of color.

Jul 02
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Laser End Points at SOCU with E. Victor Ross, MD

By Sessions

laser procedures in patients with skin of color

Safety in using lasers and other procedural treatments is a key educational focus of Skin of Color Update. At the 2024 conference, Next Steps in Derm interviewed E. Victor Ross, MD, FAAD, about his session on laser end points.

Watch as Dr. Ross shares end points for a few laser procedures and what you don’t want to see. Learn what tool Dr. Ross uses even in standard procedures to help with recognizing end points. Find out how a cooling device can be used in safely treating patients with skin of color. Hear how to protect surrounding skin when treating a lentigo. What happens if a laser doesn’t have an end point? Find out Dr. Ross’s tips on how to ensure safety and effectiveness in these situations.

Register for Skin of Color Update 2025 for more pearls in procedural treatments in patients with skin of color.

Jun 24
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Advancing Vitiligo Treatment: Highlights from SOCU 2024

By Sessions

overview of vitiligo

June is Vitiligo Awareness Month. At the 2024 Skin of Color Update, Rebecca Vasquez, MD, FAAD, of UT Southwestern Medical Center, shared a comprehensive overview of vitiligo, highlighting its significant psychological and medical impact.

Affecting 0.5% to 2% of the global population, Dr. Vasquez detailed the role of immune-mediated destruction of melanocytes, which is primarily driven by autoreactive CD8+ T cells. Environmental triggers, like sunburn or phenolic compounds, can trigger or exacerbate the condition, which often appears in areas prone to friction or trauma, such as the elbows and hands.

Clinical Types:

  • Nonsegmental Vitiligo (NSV): Most common, progressive, and often associated with autoimmune conditions.
  • Segmental Vitiligo (SV): Less common, typically stabilizes after rapid early progression.

Dr. Vasquez emphasized the emotional burden of the disease, especially in patients with skin of color, and the need to address psychological health alongside physical symptoms.

Treatment Options:

  • Topical Therapies: Corticosteroids and calcineurin inhibitors.
  • Phototherapy: Narrowband UVB (NbUVB) promotes repigmentation, especially when combined with topicals.
  • JAK Inhibitors: Topical ruxolitinib has shown strong results in trials; oral versions are in phase 3.
  • Surgical Treatments: Autologous skin cell suspension shows high repigmentation success in stable cases.
  • Combination Therapies: Approaches like ruxolitinib + NbUVB yield better outcomes.

Emerging Research:

  • Oral JAK inhibitors (ritlecitinib, povorcitinib, upadacitinib) show promise.
  • Targeting IL-15 as a way to go after tissue-resident memory T cells may offer long-term remission.

Conclusion:
There is no cure, but treatment is advancing. A personalized, multidisciplinary approach is essential to effectively manage both the physical and emotional aspects of vitiligo.

This session summary was written by Dr. Nidhi Shah and published on Next Steps in Derm.

Register for SOCU 2025 for more education on pigmentary disorders, including vitiligo.

Jun 16
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JDD Buzz: Interview with SOCU 2025 Faculty Nada Elbuluk, MD, MSc

By Medical Dermatology

patients with skin of color

Skin of Color Update faculty member Nada Elbuluk, MD, MSc, spoke with Next Steps in Derm about her recent Journal of Drugs in Dermatology study that sheds light on the most common reasons why patients of color seek outpatient dermatologic care. Dr. Elbuluk will speak at Skin of Color Update on pigmentary disorders, including hyperpigmentation and hypopigmentation.

Dr. Elbuluk and the team of researchers conducted a retrospective chart review among patients with skin of color who sought care at the USC outpatient dermatology clinics. They found that the five most common skin concerns that initiated an office visit among skin of color patients were skin examinations, evaluation of bumps/growths, rashes, acne, and skin discoloration. The five most common diagnoses dermatologists made were benign nevi/neoplasms, dermatitis, acne, eczema and/or xerosis, and dyspigmentation.  

“Some of the results were surprising in that there were differences when we stratified the results by age, gender, and racial ethnic group,” Dr. Elbuluk said. “These results showed that it’s important that we don’t homogenize all the skin of color populations and recognize that other demographic factors can also make a difference in the most common concerns and diagnoses in these populations.”

Dr. Elbuluk says understanding these concerns and diagnoses can help dermatology clinicians improve health care outcomes and equity for patients with skin of color.

Click here to read the full article on Next Steps in Derm and to read more dermatology coverage.

Register for Skin of Color Update 2025 and learn from experts like Dr. Elbuluk on how to best diagnose and treat dermatologic disorders in patients with skin of color.

May 16
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Filler Strategies at SOCU with Corey L. Hartman, MD

By Aesthetic Dermatology, Sessions

Aesthetic fillers at Skin of Color Update Corey Hartman

Focusing on what makes a patient unique – including how that corresponds with their ethnic identity – is important when creating a filler treatment plan. That’s according to Dr. Corey Hartman, a dermatologist in Birmingham, Ala. Next Steps in Derm, in partnership with Skin of Color Update, interviewed Dr. Hartman, who shared three tips for helping patients obtain an enhanced appearance while still looking like themselves. Click here to hear his strategies for the upper, mid and lower face.

Register for Skin of Color Update 2026 for more filler strategies, live demonstrations and aesthetic updates.

Aug 04
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SOCU 2023 Pre-Conference Symposium

By Uncategorized

Skin of Color Update 2023 Pre-Conference Symposium

Join Skin of Color Update faculty for a case-based conversation on Hair and Scalp Disorders in Patients with Skin of Color. Our five faculty experts will lead an engaging discussion on this very important topic that impacts patients with skin of color. Our faculty will provide practical pearls on recommended approaches to diagnosis and treatment.

Through the use of clinical cases, SOCU faculty will discuss the diagnosis, workup and treatment of hair and scalp disorders in patients with skin of color with specific areas of interest including:

  • Woman of African Ancestry with Hair Loss
  • Diagnosis, Workup and Treatment of Central Centrifugal Alopecia (CCCA) in Patients with Skin of Color
  • Treatment of Seborrheic Dermatitis of the Scalp in Women of Color
  • Hair & Scalp Disorders that Disproportionately Affect Men of Color
Register Now
Sep 06
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SOCU 2022 Virtual Workshops

By Uncategorized

Skin of Color Update Virtual Workshops are an opportunity to attend complimentary sessions featuring trending evidence-based research and new practical pearls for treating skin types III – VI.

You do not need to be registered for Skin of Color Update 2022 to attend these free virtual workshops, however, pre-registration for each webinar is required.

Jae Yeon Jung, MD, PhD
Director, Oncologic Dermatology Program
Norton Cancer Institute

Supported By

Co-managing Patients with Locally Advanced Basal Cell Carcinoma (laBCC) and Advanced Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma (aCSCC) in the Immunotherapy Era: The Role of the Dermatologist

Wednesday, September 14th | 7:00 – 8:00 PM ET

Join Regeneron for a session to discuss:

  • An FDA-approved systemic treatment option
  • The important role of multidisciplinary consultation in the management of advanced CSCC and locally advanced BCC
  • Results and case studies from a prospective clinical study in locally advanced BCC patients
  • Updated results from a prospective clinical study in advanced CSCC patients
Register Here
Sep 06
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Thank You Amgen

By Uncategorized

Please take a moment to acknowledge and thank our gracious supporter, Amgen, by visiting their booth at Skin of Color Update 2022 and their website below.

Amgen

Amgen is committed to unlocking the potential of biology for patients suffering from serious illnesses by discovering, developing, manufacturing and delivering innovative human therapeutics.

Sep 06
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Thank You AbbVie

By Uncategorized

Please take a moment to acknowledge and thank our gracious supporter, AbbVie, by visiting their booth at Skin of Color Update 2022 and their website below.

AbbVie’s mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow. We strive to have a remarkable impact on people’s lives across several key therapeutic areas.

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