By 2050, more than 50% of the US population will have skin of color. This multicultural marketplace comprises the majority in California, New Mexico and Texas…and soon will be the mainstream in places such as Arizona, Nevada, Georgia, New York and Florida.
 
As a result, The Skin of Color Society was established in 2004 by Susan C. Taylor, MD. The purpose of the society is to promote awareness of and excellence within the area of special interest of dermatology—skin of color. The Society is committed to the education of health care providers and the general public on dermatologic health issues related to skin of color.
 
According to its current president, Dr. Amy J. McMichael, who is also professor and chair, department of dermatology, Wake Forest Baptist Health Medical Center, the society has been “a haven” for physicians who have a goal to help multicultural patients and push forward research and increase knowledge within the community. McMichael added that the society is also expanding its global outreach—specifically in India, Australia and Africa.
 
At the Society’s annual Media Day, held on Dec. 13 at The London Hotel in New York City, the topic at hand was Delving into Diversity. A variety of experts took a deeper look into the latest dermatologic issues, trends and breakthroughs. For example, McMichael presented on Hair Health.
 
Focusing on the African-American patient, current hair issues include fragility and hair loss, as bald spots and breakage are so common. For breakage, McMichael recommends moisturizing shampoos and conditioner with lower levels of detergent as well as co-wash formulations. Coating agents such as silicones also prevent knotting in multicultural hair types.
 
For 2017, McMichael is excited about a number of treatments in development for hair loss, including oral and topical solutions currently in trials.
 
Dr. Seemal Desai is secretary/treasurer for the Skin of Color Society as well as president and medical director for Innovative Dermatology, Plano, TX, and clinical assistant professor of Dermatology at the University of Texas Southwestern. He is an expert in pigmentary issues. His presentation at Media Day focused on the “Latest Science, Highest Art in Treating Pigmentary Disorders.” 
 
According to Desai, there is an increasing number of scientific breakthroughs in treatments for a host of pigmentary disorders, including hyper-pigmentation, PIH, melasma, and vitiligo, with special emphasis on key considerations and risks in treating skin of color. 
 
Going forward into 2017, OTC beauty products combined with prescription products work to solve these issues—especially melasma, which impacts hundreds of thousands worldwide, Desai told Happi.
 
“In over the counter, for retinol I like Neutrogena products, Ambi for hydroquinone and EltaMD for sun care,” he told Happi. “For prescription, kojic acid and azaleic acid (Finacea) as well as soy-based products and SkinMedica Lytera Skin Brightening Complex are ideal for treating melasma as well as chemical peels. It’s important for these products to work together. ”
 
Stay tuned to Happi for our full outlook on the multicultural beauty industry coming up in April.