Diversity in Academic Dermatology.

The American Medical Association recently declared racism to be a public health threat. It declared that “Racism negatively impacts and exacerbates the health inequities among historically marginalized communities”.1 The New England Journal of Medicine echoed this declaration in a recent article that included goals for making medicine more diverse by transforming “the ranks of institutional research leadership, faculty, trainees, and staff to reflect the demographic diversity of the communities their organizations serve.”2 The article also calls for more transparent selection criteria for choosing leaders in medicine. Necessary changes are articulated and provide a pathway towards more equality in medicine. One subspecialty in the field of medicine (dermatology) lacks the type of diversity one would expect from physicians who study the skin. Although the problem has been discussed for years, it has yet to be rectified. J Drugs Dermatol. 2022;21(5):674-676. doi:10.36849/JDD.6899.

Myths and Knowledge Gaps in the Aesthetic Treatment of Patients With Skin of Color

Background: Misperceptions about facial aesthetic treatments in individuals with skin of color (SOC) may influence treatment selection. Objective: We aimed to identify knowledge gaps and myths concerning facial aesthetic treatment in individuals with SOC. Methods: A PubMed search identified articles concerning patients with SOC receiving facial aesthetic treatments. The experience of experts in aesthetic treatment of patients with SOC was also considered. Results: Knowledge gaps included not seeking injectable filler treatment of lips, risk of developing keloids with injectable filler treatment, risk of hyperpigmentation precluding surgical procedures and nonsurgical injectable filler treatment, melasma being a minor cosmetic concern with limited treatments, and racial/ethnic groups being homogeneous with respect to facial characteristics and aesthetic concerns. Dispelled myths included perceptions that: individuals with SOC do not need sunscreen; dermal fillers and neuromodulators are not necessary or useful for patients with darker skin; laser treatments cannot be used on darker skin; facial products are unnecessary; and only medical providers with SOC can understand how to treat patients with SOC. Conclusions: Knowledge gaps and myths concerning facial aesthetic treatment in individuals with SOC exist. These patients may undergo various facial aesthetic procedures safely and effectively, as long as nuances in treatment approaches are recognized. J Drugs Dermatol. 2019;18(7):616-622.