Expert Consensus on Knowledge Gaps in Dermatology for Skin of Color, With Henry Lim, MD

Persistent gaps in dermatologic research and clinical care for patients with skin of color have been highlighted by a recent international consensus panel, underscoring areas where underrepresentation continues to impact disease outcomes.1

The authors of these data sought to point out any deficiencies across 4 major domains: skin diseases, photoprotection, hair, and aesthetic procedures. Henry Lim, MD, the former chair of dermatology and current senior vice president of academic programs at Henry Ford Health, spoke with HCPLive about the panel and its most significant findings.

“Well, it is a long-standing interest of mine, as well as the group of co-authors in there, and right now, we know that there is a significant gap,” Lim expressed. “So that's why we're trying to close.”

Lim and the other members of the international expert panel reviewed PubMed-indexed articles published between September 2019 - September 2024. These articles were evaluated to provide a broad overview of contemporary research trends and limitations. Inflammatory skin diseases, Lim et al found, including acne, atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, and rosacea, are common among individuals with skin of color but often present differently than in lighter skin tones.

In their research, Lim and colleagues noted pigmentary disorders such as melasma and acne-related hyperpigmentation were shown to have a notable effect on quality of life, with treatment necessitating careful selection to avoid pigmentation issues. Another notable finding was the widespread, unregulated implementation commonly seen with skin-lightening products containing potent corticosteroids, posing potentially serious safety concerns.

Lim spoke on a variety of issues the panel noted are important to consider for patients with skin of color, including conditions as common as acne.

“In dark-skinned individuals, it takes some training and some adjusting and getting used to being able to detect the redness in this group of patients,” Lim explained. “[For] post inflammatory hyperpigmentation…in dark skinned individual, it is the blemishes that are very bothersome to the patient, because they have these brown spots on the skin that may take a few years to go away.”

In his team’s work, skin cancers in skin of color were highlighted as frequently diagnosed at more advanced stages, given diminished awareness and atypical presentations.2 Additionally, the investigators noted hair disorders need tailored approaches given distinct hair characteristics.

“Skin cancer detection is very important, because otherwise it'll be a delayed diagnosis,” Lim noted. “Photoprotection, again, is something that we need to continue to emphasize…[and] there's a special tinted sunscreen which is the one that they will need to use.”

To learn more about Lim and coauthors’ findings, view the full video interview posted above.

The quotes contained in this summary were edited for clarity.

Disclosures: Lim reported investigator and research grant to institution from Incyte, L'Oreal, Pfizer, PCORI, serving as a consultant for ISDIN, Beiersdorf, Ferndale, L'Oréal, Eli Lilly, Zerigo Health, Skinosive, Kenvue, Cantabria Labs, and NAOS, and serving as a speaker at a general educational session for La Roche-Posay, Cantabria Labs, Pierre Fabre, NAOS, Uriage, Pfizer, and ISDIN.

References

1. Lim HW, Zhang C, Taylor M, Dlova NC, Conceição K, Jablonski N, Gupta N, Wangari-Olivero J, Alexis A. International Expert Consensus on Knowledge Gaps in Care for Dermatologic Disorders in Skin of Color. Int J Dermatol. 2026 Jan;65(1):41-56. doi: 10.1111/ijd.70101. Epub 2025 Nov 6. PMID: 41195756; PMCID: PMC12712774.

2. Hogue L, Harvey VM. Basal Cell Carcinoma, Squamous Cell Carcinoma, and Cutaneous Melanoma in Skin of Color Patients. Dermatol Clin. 2019 Oct;37(4):519-526. doi: 10.1016/j.det.2019.05.009. PMID: 31466591.