John E. Harris, MD, PhD

Skin of Color Savvy: The Art and Science of Treating Patients of Color

Skin of Color Savvy: Highlights From the Most-Watched Episodes of 2025

, the podcast revisits highlights from the three most viewed episodes of 2025, bringing together expert insights on inflammatory skin disease, pigmentary disorders, and diversity in dermatologic research. Featuring conversations with 

 leaders, Andrew Alexis, MD, MPH; Shawn Kwatra, MD; Crystal Aguh, MD; John Harris, MD, PhD; Nada Elbuluk, MD; and Michelle Rodrigues, MBBS, the episode underscores the breadth of clinical, scientific, and equity-focused discussions that resonated most with audiences throughout the year.

The episode opens with a return to one of the show’s most impactful early conversations, in which Alexis and Kwatra discuss diseases that disproportionately affect patients with skin of color, particularly chronic pruritus and inflammatory conditions such as atopic dermatitis and prurigo nodularis. Kwatra reflects on the disconnect between textbook imagery and real-world clinical presentations, noting that many diagnostic criteria and educational resources remain centered on lighter skin types.

Together, they explore emerging data demonstrating racial and ethnic differences in itch prevalence and presentation, while highlighting how environmental exposures, socioeconomic factors, and systemic inflammation intersect to influence disease burden. Alexis builds on this discussion by emphasizing the importance of recognizing how erythema and inflammation present differently in richly pigmented skin. Rather than classic redness, inflammation may appear violaceous, gray, or brown, a distinction that is critical to avoiding underdiagnosis and undertreatment.

The second segment revisits a widely viewed episode focused on pigmentary disorders, featuring Elbuluk and Rodrigues. The pair emphasize that “hyperpigmentation” is not a diagnosis, but a broad category encompassing more than 45 distinct conditions. They discuss common causes of hyperpigmentation, hypopigmentation, and depigmentation seen in patients of color, including post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, acquired dermal macular hyperpigmentation, melasma, vitiligo, and less common congenital or medication-induced disorders. Key diagnostic principles—such as evaluating lesion location, color, morphology, and patient history—are highlighted, along with the value of dermoscopy as a noninvasive bedside tool to guide management and avoid unnecessary biopsies.

The episode concludes with highlights from a conversation featuring Aguh and Harris, which centers on the importance of diversity in dermatology research and clinical trials. Using examples from alopecia and autoimmune disease research, the discussion expands the definition of diversity beyond race and ethnicity to include diversity of thought, training background, and scientific perspective. Both speakers emphasize that collaborative, multidisciplinary research leads to stronger study design, fewer blind spots, and more clinically meaningful outcomes for patients.

Together, this Savvy Stories episode captures why these three conversations stood out among viewers in 2025. By blending clinical insight, scientific rigor, and a commitment to equity, the episode reflects Skin of Color Savvy’s mission to elevate dermatologic care through education, representation, and inclusive dialogue.

To learn more about SOCS’s programs and initiatives, visit 

Editor’s note: This summary was edited with the help of AI tools.

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This new episode from January 2026 features a compilation of 3 clips from the most viewed episodes of 2025.

Skin of Color Savvy: Diversity in Dermatology Within the Modern Landscape, with Crystal Aguh, MD, and John Harris, MD, PhD

, Crystal Aguh, MD, associate professor of dermatology and director of the Ethnic Skin Program at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, and John Harris, MD, the founding Director of the Vitiligo Clinic and Research Center, founding director of the Autoimmune Therapeutics Institute and professor and chair of the Department of Dermatology at UMass Chan Medical School in Worcester, together explored the importance of mentorship, visibility, and leadership among dermatologists and dermatology trainees of different backgrounds.

Hosted by Skin of Color Society (SOCS) leaders, this podcast episode continues to delve into the latest research, clinical insights, and culturally intelligent and responsive care practices in the field of dermatology. Together, Aguh and Harris spoke on a variety of subjects in this area.

Aguh and Harris discussed the importance of diversity in clinical trials and research, emphasizing the need for diverse principal investigators and teams. Harris highlighted his experiences moderating a panel on incorporating diversity into clinical research, noting the challenges and benefits. They discussed the impact of federal regulations on National Institutes of Health (NIH) grants and the necessity of addressing questions about the importance of diversity.

Harris pointed out the challenges of addressing conversations regarding diversity among clinicians and in clinical research within the present political climate, highlighting that some have questioned whether to bring up the conversation at all. Both expressed optimism about the growth and impact of SOCS in advancing research and treatment for patients of color.

As the episode closed, the conversation reinforced the power of mentorship, the importance of role models, and the responsibility of current leaders to cultivate a more equitable future in dermatology. For both those in medical school and those who are current health care providers, the episode offers a compelling look at how connection, advocacy, and shared purpose can drive lasting change within the specialty.

To learn more about SOCS’s mentorship programs and initiatives, visit 

Editor's note: This interview was summarized with the aid of artificial intelligence.

This episode of the SOCS podcast features an in-depth discussion between Crystal Aguh, MD, and John Harris, MD, PhD.

Iltefat Hamzavi, MD, explores key areas of patient communication that may shape adherence and outcomes in patients with vitiligo.

Communication With Patients With Vitiligo

Seemal R. Desai, MD, examines the mechanisms of JAK inhibitors and why these agents play an important role in the treatment of vitiligo.

John E. Harris, MD, PhD

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