Protecting Skin of Color: Understanding Photodamage and Optimizing Sunscreen Strategies
Recent advances in photodermatology have expanded our understanding of how multiple wavelengths across the electromagnetic spectrum contribute to skin damage, aging, pigmentary disorders, and skin cancer risk. While ultraviolet (UV) radiation has traditionally been the primary focus of sun protection, visible light (VL), high-energy visible (HEV) light, infrared (IR) radiation, and even heat have …
Recent advances in photodermatology have expanded our understanding of how multiple wavelengths across the electromagnetic spectrum contribute to skin damage, aging, pigmentary disorders, and skin cancer risk. While ultraviolet (UV) radiation has traditionally been the primary focus of sun protection, visible light (VL), high-energy visible (HEV) light, infrared (IR) radiation, and even heat have … 
Pediatric alopecia in children with kinky or curly hair presents unique diagnostic and management challenges. In a case-based session, Dr. Kenner-Bell reviewed common causes of hair loss in this population and highlighted the importance of early recognition, culturally sensitive counseling, and avoiding premature closure on traction alopecia as a diagnosis.
Case 1: Trichotillomania
Trichotilloma … 
Diagnosing and treating pediatric patients with skin of color requires a nuanced eye and an understanding of unique psychosocial dynamics. At the latest Skin of Color Update (SOCU) conference, Dr. Karan Lal addressed these exact complexities. Written from the perspective of an attending dermatology resident, this summary breaks down Dr. Lal’s essential pearls across three major domains: pigmente … 
Throughout your dermatology training, you will pour over thousands of clinical photographs as you learn to identify various conditions. This will be coupled with viewing patients in person and learning to identify subtleties in morphology and presentation to make a diagnosis. No matter how robust and busy your training center is, it would be impossible to see everything. Therefore, the clinical im … 
Dermatology residency is an intense and rewarding period focused on clinical excellence, but it is also a key window for advocacy and leadership development. For many residents, advocacy may feel like something reserved for when they are an attending and/or established within their careers. In reality, residents are uniquely positioned to shape the future of dermatology through meaningful engageme …