PracticalDermatology

Vaseline recently launched See My Skin, a searchable online platform to help identify dermatological conditions in skin of color and connect patients with dermatologists as part of their Equitable Skincare for All program.

Here, Uchenna Okereke, MD, FAAD, a dermatologist serving the Greater Boston area, tells Practical Dermatology® magazine more about this effort and what she hopes it will accomplish for patients and dermatologists.

What was the impetus for this new database?

Uchenna Okereke, MD: When people with darker skin types look for images of various skin conditions online, they are often met with images that do not reflect themselves unless the qualifier “on Black or Brown skin” is added. See My Skin seeks to address this issue by increasing visual information on skin conditions in darker skin types available to the general public. This platform takes it a step further by helping the user identify local dermatologists in their area.

How will the availability of these images across skin tones and conditions improve patient care?

Dr. Okereke: As dermatologists, we know that dermatoses can manifest differently in darker skin types. Yet when people in Black and Brown communities search online for various skin conditions, they are met with hundreds of results that are often not a reflection of themselves. This lack of visual information often results in Black and Brown communities feeling unseen, ignored, and not a priority. Establishing an online database for the general public, with images reviewed by board-certified dermatologists, moves us forward as a specialty in improving resources available to the patients we serve.

Tell us about the partnership with HUED and VisualDx and what they bring to the table?

Dr. Okereke: Honestly, it just makes sense. HUED is a digital health company focused on improving the quality of care for Black, Latinx, and Indigenous populations through education and access. VisualDx is a platform created by dermatologists dedicated to improving clinical decisions through visualization. VisualDx is an effective resource in providing images of skin conditions in darker skin types for clinicians, and by partnering with HUED, these images will help build a library of images available to the general public.

How is this database different from other inclusive atlases that have been developed and are becoming available?

Dr. Okereke: This database will continue to build upon the foundation laid by leaders in skin of color dermatology, while also connecting the public with health care providers in their area. My hope is that with these efforts we will continue to narrow healthcare disparities in Black and Brown communities.

How is it going so far? How can dermatologists get involved?

Dr. Okereke: It has been a rewarding experience to work with my colleagues Mona Gohara, MD and Caroline Robinson, MD to help build this platform.

Those interested in contributing images can upload them at vaseline.huedco.com.