Skin of Color Savvy: Serving the Underserved in Dermatology, With Abrahem Kazemi, MD

Welcome to Skin of Color Savvy: The Art and Science of Treating Patients of Color!

In this episode of Skin of Color Savvy: The Art and Science of Treating Patients of Color, board-certified dermatologist and director of cosmetics and laser dermatology for Pinnacle Dermatology, Abrahem Kazemi, MD, reflects on the personal and professional experiences that have shaped his approach to dermatologic care, particularly for underserved patient populations.

Practicing in northern Virginia, Kazemi describes building his clinic from the ground up and caring for a high-volume patient population that includes a significant number of Medicaid and underinsured individuals. He was asked about his journey into dermatology and shared that his interest was deeply personal. As a college student, he experienced severe nodulocystic acne and faced substantial barriers to accessing specialty care, resulting in delayed isotretinoin therapy and permanent scarring. That experience, he explained, instilled in him a commitment to closing gaps in dermatologic access and to practicing with empathy and humanism—values reinforced during his medical training at Howard University College of Medicine.

Kazemi also discussed the challenges of practicing dermatology in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, having completed residency training in New York City during the height of the crisis. He emphasized how that experience strengthened his resilience and prepared him to navigate complex clinical scenarios. Today, he frequently manages advanced presentations of disease among patients who face systemic barriers to care, including severe hidradenitis suppurativa, scarring alopecias such as central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia (CCCA), and advanced skin cancers.

His clinical interests center on skin of color, inflammatory dermatoses, and hair disorders. He highlighted advances in systemic and procedural therapies for alopecia and hidradenitis suppurativa, including newer biologics and emerging oral agents. In cosmetic dermatology, Kazemi underscored the importance of appropriate laser selection and parameter adjustment in melanin-rich skin, cautioning against procedures performed by inadequately trained providers due to the risk of dyspigmentation and scarring.

A particularly impactful case involved a young man with discoid lupus erythematosus complicated by social instability and limited resources. He described coordinating care across rheumatology, primary care, psychiatry, and social services to ensure appropriate evaluation and treatment, ultimately achieving disease control. The case, he noted, reinforced that dermatology is rarely “skin deep” and often intersects with broader systemic and social determinants of health.

Kazemi also spoke about his involvement with the Skin of Color Society, particularly on its Media and Communications Subcommittee, emphasizing the importance of elevating evidence-based messaging as demographic shifts increase the relevance of skin of color expertise nationwide. He concluded with a message to colleagues and trainees: resilience, self-belief, and perseverance are essential, as the impact of dermatologic care—especially for underserved communities—extends far beyond the clinic.

To learn more about SOCS’s programs and initiatives, visit Skin of Color Society.

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