Dr. Andrew Alexis is Director of the Skin of Color Center in New York, where he is also an Associate Professor of Dermatology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. In addition to his frequent lecturing on the topic of skin of color, Dr. Alexis has been an investigator in numerous clinical studies. He has also authored many articles in derma- tology journals and served as co-editor for two textbooks. Ahead, Dr. Alexis shares his perspective on the state of affairs of skin of color, both in clinical settings and in the public sphere.

How has your experience in learning about and treating skin of color affected the way you understand the skin more broadly and practice dermatology?

“My clinical and research experience has allowed me to appreciate nuances in the clinical presentation, cultural impact, and approach to treatment in a broad range of skin types and patient populations,” says Dr. Alexis.

Can you describe any significant developments in research or treatment of common conditions in skin of color?

“There have been considerable advances in the safe use of lasers in darker skin types, a population that is generally at higher risk of pigmentary and scarring complications from laser procedures,” Dr. Alexis notes. “Notwithstanding these risks, using the appropriate devices and settings we can now perform laser hair removal, fractional laser resurfacing, and nonablative rejuvenation across the spectrum of skin types and complexions, including those with highly pigmented skin.”

In addition, Dr. Alexis observes, “There has also been an increased understanding of the impact of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation on the management of common dermatologic disorders (such as acne) in darker skin types.”

What would you like to see emphasized regarding treatment of dermatologic diseases in skin of color, both in research/treatment efforts and also more broadly in the public awareness spectrum?

“I would like to see more research into scarring alopecias such as central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia (CCCA),” Dr. Alexis explains. “Development of more effective treatment options for disorders of pigmentation (such as melasma, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, and erythema dyschromicum perstans) would also be beneficial to many patients as these remain significant treatment challenges.”

WATCH NOW:

To see Dr. Alexis discuss common skin diseases and strategies for prevention, as well as the growth of cosmetic procedures among patients of color, watch his inter- view with Joshua Zeichner, MD for the DermTube Journal Club at www.dermtube.com.
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