L’Oréal announced today the extension of the closing date of its International Awards for Social Responsibility in Dermatology to April 15^th 2015.

Patients with dermatological conditions may frequently face discrimination and feel socially excluded, even children. The International Awards for Social Responsibility in Dermatology, “Caring to Inspire Skin Confidence” aim to acknowledge and celebrate the often unseen efforts and hard work carried out by dermatologists worldwide: all their voluntary dermatological initiatives that improve patients’ physical and psychological health and self-esteem, independently from their medical treatment.

L’Oréal created an independent Steering Committee of 7 worldwide renowned dermatologists, who will evaluate each initiative and select five winners, one per major geographical zone: Asia-Pacific, Africa and the Middle East, Europe, North America, and Central-South America.

These awards are supported by the International League of Dermatological Societies (ILDS) and by the 23^rd World Congress of Dermatology and the Awards Ceremony will be held at the 23^rd World Congress of Dermatology in Vancouver, Canada, on June 9, 2015.

Applications are being accepted from dermatologists working independently, with an organization or hospital, involved in a volunteering initiative, that fall into one of the following three main categories:

• Prevention and Education: Any initiative favoring the prevention of dermatological illnesses, and education for patients, their families and the general public (including support networks and campaigns) on dermatological pathologies, dermatological conditions, impact awareness and promotion of good, or healthy behavior. Examples include consultations, patient–family information workshops, school campaigns, information campaigns, advice on environmental factors and healthy living.
• Improved Quality of Life and Self-Esteem: Projects favoring improvements in physical or psychological quality of life for patients, such as supporting and accompanying patients, psychological help in accepting their condition(s), and reducing the stigma attached to their disease.
• Access to Care, Coverage and Surgery: Projects aimed at facilitating public and patient access to care such as free screenings, free consultations, travelling doctors, nurse training, make-up workshops or free reconstructive surgery.

The closing date has been postponed to April 15th 2015.

Go online for further details and to download the application form.