The field of aesthetic dermatology has witnessed exponential growth over the past decade, yet patients of color continue to face significant barriers to care—ranging from implicit bias to inadequate representation in clinical training. These challenges have a direct impact on treatment outcomes, patient satisfaction, and trust. Cultural competency is more than a buzzword; it is a clinical imperative.
The Trust Gap
Historically, Black and Brown communities have had fraught relationships with the medical system, including dermatology. Misdiagnoses, inadequate treatment plans, and poor communication continue to drive distrust.1 When it comes to aesthetic care, that distrust is often magnified by societal beauty standards that rarely affirm melanin-rich skin.
In my own practice,…