When dermatologist Heather Woolery-Lloyd, M.D., FAAD, became director of University of Miami’s Ethnic Skin Care Division in 2002, it became one of the first cosmetic skin centers for people of color. Today, she heads a three-physician team – all women of color – under a newly named Skin of Color Division in the Dr. Philip Frost Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery at the University of Miami Health System. Only a handful of dermatology programs across the country have so many physicians specializing in skin of color care.
Joining Dr. Woolery-Lloyd are Shasa Hu, M.D., FAAD, as director of cosmetic dermatology, and most recently, Laura Scott, M.D., FAAD, who joins as associate director for the Skin of Color Division. Following her training at Harvard Medical School, Dr. Scott came to the University of Miami for her dermatology residency and received mentoring from Dr. Woolery-Lloyd in skin of color care.
Treating skin and hair conditions is still a significant unmet need across the country, Dr. Woolery-Lloyd says. She explains some basic differences encountered by people of color – a group that includes Latinos, Asians and people of African descent: “The melanocyte (which makes the brown color) is more reactive, causing light or dark spots. For example, a pimple or mosquito bite can result in a dark mark on the skin that can last four months or longer, and often times, patients feel that pigment changes can be brushed off by other providers not accustomed to treating people with darker skin.”
Hair loss and scalp disorders also can look different in people of color. Dr. Woolery-Lloyd and her partners may be able to pinpoint the cause. “A scalp condition may be an allergic reaction to a particular hair gel or hair glue, for example,” she says.
“For a lot of patients, what draws people to us is the reassurance that we can diagnose exactly what they have,” Dr. Woolery-Lloyd continues. “We’re providing them with the confidence that even though they may have a challenging skin issue, we’re experts who can create a treatment plan tailored for them.”