Dermatologists Targeting Ethnic Skin Conditions
Carla Johnson at The Prescott Herald has evidence that US culture is changing. The rising ethnically diversity in both the general population and within the ranks of dermatologist is resulting in greater focus on the medical differences among the various skin and hair types. Differences in color and texture are obvious, but research is discovering that these differences are, well, more than skin deep. A couple quotes:
But dark skin can react differently than white skin to cosmetic treatments and medications. It is more prone to discoloration after injury, and more inclined to keloids, a type of scar that can be unsightly and sometimes itchy or painful.
A type of scarring hair loss that starts at the crown of the head can affect black women. The Skin of Color Center at St. Luke‘s-Roosevelt Hospital in New York is conducting a study to compare common treatments for that type of hair loss, which used to be called “hot comb alopecia,” but now is called “central centifugal cicatricial alopecia” or CCCA.
A few thoughts come to me. First off, Though different ethnicities are similar, the are not entirely the same. And while those of darker complexions have historically and unfortunately in some ways still presently get the short end of the health care stick, perhaps this is one indication that things turning the right direction. On a more cynical front, the fact that the L’Oreal Institute is among the leaders tells me marketing may have more to do with this change than an enlightened ethnic policy.
Finally, I wonder what the reaction will be if major health differences among ethnic groups are revealed? I remember a stink recently about medication that targeted blacks… heart medication, I think. Here’s my question: What if it turns out that different types of health care for different ethnicities are the best course of action? Disparity in access to health care, which already exists, is one thing. What will propel the development of customized treatments for the disenfranchised? Is there reason to be hopeful that the kind of systemic issues currently affecting the system won’t find their way down this new avenue?
Tags: alopecia, bald, baldness, ccca, central-centifugal-cicatricial-alopecia, ethnicity, hair-loss, health-care, healthcareRelated Stories
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