The Impact of Skin and Hair Disease in Ethnic Skin

The ethnic/racial demographic of the United States is in the midst of significant change and physicians must be adept at recognizing and effectively treating dermatologic disease states in patients with skin of color. Inherent in effectively treating these cutaneous diseases is sufficiently understanding the patient’s viewpoint about his/her disease, as well as hindrances to treatment, compliance, patient satisfaction, and access to leading treatment modalities. Information about the physical and psychosocial impact of a disease can be used to guide treatment practices and appropriately address patient expectations. Additionally, the recognition of psychosocial and physical burdens associated with cutaneous diseases (i.e., health-related quality of life) will become paramount to support treatment appeals as reimbursement for treatment of various conditions is becoming more limited, while some diseases are deemed purely cosmetic and coverage for treatment is denied.