Leading Dermatologic Experts Raise Awareness about Latest Developments in Hair and Skin Health Issues at Skin of Color Society Media Day

GENEVA, Ill., Feb. 8, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- At a time when individuals with skin of color represent a significant and continuously growing demographic in need of specialized dermatologic health care, a team of nationally recognized experts from the Skin of Color Society (SOCS) helped advance awareness about important skin and hair health topics at its recent Media Day, "Delving into Diversity." This informative and interactive program was attended by numerous NYC-based health and beauty editors, bloggers and digital content creators, who engaged in lively discussions and Q&A's with the experts.

Given many unique considerations, risks and concerns affecting individuals with skin of color ancestry—who will comprise more than 50% of the U.S . population by 2050, per U.S. Census projections—"patient safety in all aesthetic and medical treatments and procedures are the highest priority,' states Dr. Amy McMichael, SOCS President. That's why the Skin of Color Society "strongly recommends that individuals consult only highly trained board-certified dermatologists with specialized expertise in treating skin of color for the full spectrum of their skin and hair health concerns," emphasizes Dr. McMichael.

The SOCS expert presentations covered a wide array of relevant topics addressing the health and appearance of the hair and skin, focusing on the unique properties, reaction patterns, nuances of dermatologic diseases/conditions, and patient safety issues of special concern to individuals with skin of color, including:

• Treating Pigmentary Disorders in Skin of Color with the Latest Science and Highest Art, led by Dr. Seemal R. Desai, incoming SOCS President (March 2017), President & Medical Director, Innovative Dermatology / Clinical Assistant Professor of Dermatology, University of Texas Southwestern, and Dr. Marta Rendon, Immediate SOCS Past President and Founder, Skin Care Research, Medical Director, Rendon Center for Dermatology / Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Dermatology, University of Miami School of Medicine. This expert pair shared insights into safe and effective mono- and combination therapies for skin rejuvenation and treating conditions ranging from sun damage, melasma, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation to vitiligo in skin of color patients.
• Skin of Color Health+Beauty Tech Talk, led by Dr. Babar Rao, SOCS Board of Directors member and Founder/Director of Rao Dermatology NY, NJ, CA / Clinical Professor of Dermatology, Rutgers-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School / Clinical Associate Professor, Weill Cornell Medical School, and Dr. Nada Elbuluk, Assistant Professor of Dermatology at Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology, NYU Medical Center.  They reviewed various self-diagnosis apps, tech tools and newer aesthetic procedures, such as microneedling and fat reduction, noting special considerations for skin of color patients.
• Hair Health—led by Dr. Amy McMichael, SOCS President, and Professor & Chair, Department of Dermatology, Wake Forest Baptist Health Medical Center and Dr. Andrew Alexis, Chair, Department of Dermatology, Mount Sinai St. Luke's & Mount Sinai Roosevelt / Associate Professor of Dermatology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.  This team discussed time-tested treatments and newer solutions for various hair health issues such as hair breakage, female pattern baldness, Central Centrifugal Cicatricial Alopecia, and other hair-related issues most commonly affecting individuals with skin of color.
• Sun Safety and Skin Cancer in Skin of Color Myths and Truths— led by Dr. Susan Taylor, SOCS Founder, Founding Director, Skin of Color Center, St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center; Faculty, Perelman School of Medicine and Dr. Maritza Perez, Director of Cosmetic Dermatology, St. Luke's Roosevelt Medical Center / Associate Director of Procedural Dermatology, Beth Israel Medical Center / Clinical Professor of Dermatology, Mount Sinai Icahn School of Medicine. This pair shared insights into new data on skin cancer risk/mortality and sunscreen use in individuals with skin of color.

This SOCS educational program was made possible through the support of the following companies: Aclaris Therapeutics, La Roche-Posay, Merz, Nutrafol and Procter & Gamble.

For more information and educational resources, please visit:                     
www.skinofcolorsociety.org.

About the Skin of Color Society

The Skin of Color Society was established in 2004 by Susan C. Taylor, MD. The purpose of the Society is to promote awareness and excellence within the special interest of skin of color dermatology through a variety of innovative programs and initiatives. The Society is committed to the education of health care providers, patients and the general public on dermatologic health issues related to skin of color. The Society supports research and other activities that impact individuals with skin of color. The Society fosters and maintains partnerships with dermatologists from the national and international communities, professional medical organizations, corporate and industry groups, and the community to ensure success in serving all individuals with skin of color.

Media inquiries: [email protected] 

SOURCE Skin of Color Society