Dr. DiAnne Davis on Mentorship, Lasers, Skin of Color, and More

Dermatologists in various types of practice often face pivotal choices regarding practice direction, navigating emerging technologies, meeting the needs of all types of patient populations, and more. In a recent YoungMD Connect virtual mentorship session, DiAnne Davis, MD, FAAD, a dermatologist based in Dallas, discussed her journey from patient to dermatologist, the influence of mentorship, and her commitment to advancing safe, effective cosmetic procedures for patients with skin of color.

A Journey Shaped by Mentorship

Dr. Davis’s interest in dermatology was deeply personal. As a graduate student in New Orleans, she struggled with adult-onset acne and initially had a negative dermatology experience. A subsequent referral to a different dermatologist helped to transform both her skin and her confidence. Not only did her acne clear, but she was encouraged to pursue medical school.

Her training was further shaped by a summer diversity mentorship internship with Valerie Callender, MD, where she observed the breadth of medical, surgical, and cosmetic dermatology, including the early challenges of using lasers in patients with skin of color. These early exposures solidified her career focus.

“At the time there were lasers that were approved for patients with skin of color, but I just kept hearing over and over again … ‘I didn’t know that you could use lasers on darker skin,’ or ‘I didn’t think a laser was for me,’” she said. “I just heard Dr. Callender time and time again educating patients about what options were available to them. So, I started to really think about: This was a field of medicine where I felt I could really make a change, especially becoming a Black dermatologist because I knew I would probably see a lot of patients with skin of color.” 

Mastering Energy-Based Devices

Dr. Davis pursued fellowship training with Mark Taylor, MD, at the Gateway Aesthetic Institute and Laser Center, where she gained extensive experience with dozens of different laser platforms. Dr. Taylor emphasized tailoring settings based on skin-tissue interaction rather than relying on preprogrammed defaults, a practice she continues to use in practice and teaching.

The fellowship emphasized a key theme, Dr. Davis said: Many patients of color had long been told lasers were unsafe, even though advances now allow for safe and effective use in hair removal, pigment correction, acne scarring, and skin tightening in darker skin types. She entered practice with a mission to expand safe energy-based treatments for skin of color.

Balancing Medical and Cosmetic

Although fellowship-trained in cosmetics, Dr. Davis specifically sought to work for a practice that allowed her to maintain a medical dermatology base. She emphasizes acne management (both active disease and scarring ) as central to her practice, reflecting her own patient experience.

“I really looked for a practice that was going to allow for me to have a mix in my schedule,” she said, “Usually, I start off seeing more medical patients in the beginning and then slowly you start to convert your medical patients to your cosmetic patients.”

Now at a nine-location group practice, Dr. Davis estimated that she practices approximately 70% medical and 30% cosmetic dermatology. She noted several advantages of working for a large practice, including built-in referrals from colleagues, access to research infrastructure, and peer support for complex cases.

Her cosmetic portfolio has shifted since fellowship. In Utah, patients tolerated higher-downtime resurfacing procedures; in Dallas, with more year-round sun and greater diversity in skin type, she now emphasizes microneedling, mild resurfacing, and pigment-targeting treatments.

“Here in the South, I see a lot of skin of color,” she said, “Oftentimes their concerns are going to be more hyperpigmentation or laser hair removal. While I thought I might want a big resurfacing CO2 laser when I first came out of training, I find that a lot of treatments that I recommend for my patients day in and day out will include microneedling or some mild resurfacing lasers for pigment, or laser hair removal.”

Navigating the Cosmetic Patient Experience

Dr. Davis acknowledged the challenges of managing patients with unrealistic expectations or signs of body dysmorphic disorder. She stressed careful listening but said she is comfortable declining procedures that do not align with aesthetic principles or her philosophy of care. 

“I always try to listen to really understand what their concern is,” she said. “If I feel like it’s definitely starting to cross that line where maybe they’re asking for something that is not aesthetically balanced for their facial features or if it’s not necessarily my style. … I think lips is always a good example. I don’t mind doing lips, but I don’t do big, juicy, meeting you at the door kind of lips. There are going to be some patients who want that. So, if I find that their goals may not necessarily align with what I would recommend for them for their aesthetic profile, then sometimes I will just say, ‘I’m not sure that I’m the right dermatologist to help you achieve this goal. Let me give you some recommendations for some other colleagues.’”

For anxious or “nervous” patients, she often recommends starting with topicals or less invasive interventions before proceeding to aggressive laser or injectable therapies.

Mentorship and Leadership in Dermatology

A consistent theme in Dr. Davis’s career has been mentorship. She has served as chair of the Mentorship Committee for the National Medical Association dermatology section and participates in programs through the Women’s Dermatologic Society, the Skin of Color Society, and the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). 

She highlighted the AAD Leadership Forum as particularly valuable for early-career dermatologists seeking committee involvement.

“That’s a program where you go out to Chicago and spend a weekend,” she said. “You meet the president, the board of directors, mentors, and many committee leaders. You learn about the various committees within the AAD. That forum allowed me to say, ‘I think I might want to work on the Public Education Committee.’” 

Social Media: Education and Misinformation

Dr. Davis cited her social media platform as having helped lead her to get involved with the AAD. She said she views social media as both a tool for patient education and a platform to counter misinformation. She emphasizes consistency, patient-driven content, and collaborations as strategies for organic growth. In practice, she uses patient encounters as inspiration: if one patient has a misconception about retinoids or chemical peels, hundreds of others online likely share it.

Balancing fun with professionalism is key. She advises residents to follow institutional policies carefully, as restrictions can differ for trainees.

“I will say, social media is a full-time job,” she said. “It feels like a second job, and you do kind of have to work at it. And being consistent is probably the thing that’s most important to start to kind of grow your platform.”

Expanding Access

A self-identified skin-of-color dermatologist, Dr. Davis frequently sees patients who deliberately seek her out for expertise and representation. She stressed the importance of including Fitzpatrick V and VI skin types in device research and marketing.

Although progress has been made with dedicated skin-of-color conferences and increased representation at major meetings, Dr. Davis warned that shifting political climates risk slowing momentum. She urged colleagues to sustain focus on equity, education, and device safety across all skin types.

“It’s so important that we continue to expand dermatology,” she said. “Many patients are looking for dermatologists who understand their skincare, haircare, or cultural practices. Where I am, there’s a large Indian population, so I’ve started learning more about their cultural skincare routines. Sometimes I think, ‘Why are we putting this on the face?’ But I’ve learned from my patients. I now feel more comfortable discussing these practices. Patients of all backgrounds feel seen, heard, and understood when their culture is acknowledged.” 

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