The United States includes many people who do not have white skin, but rather have pigmented skin, which is also referred to as skin of color. Skin of color is defined in relation to less-pigmented skin. Historically dermatology research and resources have mainly focused on white skin, neglecting research concerning skin of color. To bridge that gap this page will provide resources for teaching, learning, research, and clinical practice in all areas of healthcare and their intersection with skin of color. Journals (including special issues); tips on scholarly literature searching; skin of color images; reference texts (both ebooks and print); social media accounts and hashtags; professional associations, societies, and conferences; and funding resources are among the topics covered.
Searching Tips
To find information within an E-Book on topics like the ones listed below, use the search feature within the E-Book, itself, to search the book's contents:
Skin of Color by 
Dermatology Atlas for Skin of Color by 
Living Color by Journals with Skin of Color Focus
Selected Journal Articles
The Skin of Colour Resource is curated by the Centre of Evidence Based Dermatology (CEBD) and "provide[s] health care professionals with regularly updated, comprehensive evidence based information in the form of systematic reviews, review articles, guidelines and patient information leaflets, complemented where possible by good quality clinical images kindly supplied by DermNet NZ."
Topics include but are not limited to:
Suggested Search Terms
An effective search strategy contains both keywords and subject headings. Databases contain millions of journal articles, and most are indexed with specific subject headings (such as MeSH or Emtree), which can help make your searches more focused. Keywords are still useful, especially when searching highly specific terms or populations that don't have an indexing term.
Here are a few search terms which may be helpful for you. This list is not comprehensive.
| Skin of color terms | Race / ethnicity terms |
| “Skin of color” "Skin of colour" Skin tone "Dark skin" "Dark skinned" "Darker skin" "Black skin" "Brown skin" "Fitzpatrick skin phototype" "Skin pigmentation" Melanin Hyperpigmentation Hypopigmentation Dyschromia |
"Person of color" "People of color" Race Racial Ethnicity Ethnic "African American" "African Continental Ancestry Group" Arab "Asian American" "Asian Continental Ancestry Group" "Oceanic Ancestry Group" Hawai'ian "Pacific Islander" Indigenous Native Aboriginal (people or person) Hispanic Latino Latina Latinx |
We also recommend referring to the National Library of Medicine's MEDLINE®/PubMed® Health Disparities and Minority Health Search Strategy for additional terminology.
Professional Organizations
Centre of Evidence Based Dermatology
The Centre of Evidence Based Dermatology (CEBD) has an international reputation for skin research and evidence based practice. The majority of our research is funded through the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) or medical charities. The center curates a Skin of Colour Resource that purpose "is to provide health care professionals with regularly updated, comprehensive evidence based information in the form of systematic reviews, review articles, guidelines and patient information leaflets, complemented where possible by good quality clinical images kindly supplied by DermNet NZ. Our recommendations for relevant textbooks and websites are also listed."
Diversity Committee of the Association of Medical Illustrators
The Association of Medical Illustrators furthers the use of visual media to advance life sciences, medicine, and healthcare through a worldwide network of specialized interdisciplinary professionals. This committee works on diversity and inclusion efforts within the association.
International League of Dermatological Societies
The International League of Dermatological Societies (ILDS) was founded in 1935. The league promotes skin health around the world, and has over 180 member societies from more than 80 countries.
Skin of Color Society
The Skin of Color Society (SOCS) was established in 2004 to promote awareness of and excellence within the area of special interest of dermatology – skin of color. The Society is committed to the education of health care providers and the general public on dermatologic health issues related to skin of color. The Society supports research and other activities that impact individuals with skin of color.
Conferences and Events
Skin of Color Update 2020
Previously the Skin of Color Seminar Series, the Skin of Color Update is the largest CE event dedicated to trending evidence-based research and new practical pearls for treating skin types III – VI.
Skin of Color Society Townhall
Recorded video of SOCS' Townhall on Diversity, Disparities, Dialogue & Dermatology held on Tuesday, June 30, 2020.
The Impact of Skin Color and Ethnicity on Clinical Diagnosis and Research
VisualDx, NEJM Group and the Skin of Color Society's webinar series addressing racism in medicine. Skin of Color Webinar Series:
Grants and Funding
|
