Next Steps in Derm, in partnership with Pigmentary Disorders Exchange Symposium interviewed Dr. Andrew Alexis, professor of clinical dermatology and vice-chair for diversity and inclusion for the Weill Cornell Medical College Department of Dermatology. Watch as Dr. Alexis outlines how to avoid hyperpigmentation and scarring when performing a cosmetic procedure. Learn simple questions you can ask to determine a patient’s risk level. (Quick Tip: Ask patients how their skin responds to a mosquito bite.) Plus Dr. Alexis shows how a quick look at the hands can also help you determine complication risk.
Further Reading
If you want to read more about avoiding and managing complications of cosmetic procedures, check out the following articles published in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology:
Modified Fitzpatrick Scale-Skin Color and Reactivity
ABSTRACT
Background: There is growing interest in the development of a skin classification system that captures the world’s diverse population. The Fitzpatrick skin classification scale is used both clinically and in research settings to determine an individual’s skin color. With the high global burden of skin sensitivity (atopic dermatitis, keloid formation, etc), there is a need for a skin classification system that takes into consideration an individual’s reaction to environmental insults and injuries. Our proposal builds on the existing Fitzpatrick skin classification scale by asking two additional questions of patients: do patients have sensitive skin; do patients have a history of hypertrophic scarring or keloids. By separating patients into 2 categories (sensitive vs non-sensitive skin), we create a system that can help dermatologists decide on which treatments to offer patients based on their skin classification. Dermatologists can better predict patient outcomes for dermatologic or cosmetic procedures by knowing how they react to environmental insults/injury.
ABSTRACT
The following roundtable is edited from discussion between the authors concerning treatment with the 650-microsecond 1064nm Nd:YAG laser. These dermatologist experts share their expertise, experience, and treatment pearls regarding the device for medical and aesthetic use, and in treatment of skin of color (SOC).
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TAGS ANDREW ALEXIS, MD, MPH; HYPERPIGMENTATION; SCARRING; COSMETIC PROCEDURES; LASERS
