Does Your Dermatologist Really Know Your Skin?
If you have a deeper skin tone, you might have wondered whether your dermatologist truly understands your skin’s unique needs. It’s a fair question. Dermatology as a field has historically centered on fair skin, which means people with Black and Brown skin often feel left out. The result? Misdiagnoses, frustrating treatment experiences, and even harmful recommendations can happen when your doctor isn’t trained to recognize conditions on darker skin. Let’s unpack why this happens – from the lack of diversity among dermatologists to gaps in medical training – and what it means for your skincare journey.
A Field Lacking Color in Its Ranks
Dermatology remains one of the least diverse medical specialties. In the U.S., Black physicians make up only about 3–4% of dermatologists (with Hispanic dermatologists around 4%) – a stark contrast considering 13% of Americans are Black and 18.5% are Hispanic. In other words, the doctor treating your skin may have had little firsthand experience with skin tones like yours. This underrepresentation matters because physicians from underrepresented backgrounds often bring cultural understanding and insights that improve care for patients of color. When most dermatologists are trained and work in environments primarily serving lighter-skinned populations, people with darker skin tones can end up feeling unseen or misunderstood.
Gaps in Training on Darker Skin
It’s not just about who becomes a dermatologist – it’s also about what dermatologists learn. Nearly 47% of dermatologists say they didn’t get enough training on skin of color. Medical textbooks and teaching tools still overwhelmingly feature white skin, and one study found only 4% to 18% of images in standard dermatology books included darker skin tones. That gap matters, because conditions like acne, eczema, or melasma often show up differently in melanin-rich skin – and if your provider hasn’t been taught what to look for, things get missed. It’s no surprise that nearly 67% of people of color feel their dermatologist doesn’t fully understand their skin concerns.
Misdiagnoses and “One-Size-Fits-All” Care
When doctors lack training in darker skin tones, misdiagnosis is common. Inflammation might look purple or gray in deep skin, not red – so it’s easy to overlook or label incorrectly. Conditions like psoriasis, fungal infections, or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) are often misidentified or treated incorrectly in patients of color. Add to that the tendency to reach for aggressive treatments, and you’ve got a recipe for long-term damage.
Harsh Treatments: The Hydroquinone Problem
Let’s talk hydroquinone. While it’s a gold-standard ingredient for lightening dark spots, it has to be used carefully, especially in skin of color. Overuse can cause irritation, rebound pigmentation, or even exogenous ochronosis, a bluish-black discoloration that’s often permanent. Yet too many patients with melanin-rich skin are handed strong hydroquinone prescriptions with little education or aftercare. Some countries have banned it altogether over safety concerns, yet it’s still tossed around like candy in some practices.
Skinergy Beauty: Changing the Narrative
This is exactly why Skinergy Beauty exists. Our entire brand was born from frustration with being misunderstood, underserved, and overlooked by mainstream dermatology. As a Caribbean-inspired, award-winning skincare brand, we’re not just offering products – we’re leading a movement. We center the unique needs of melanin-rich skin and take hyperpigmentation seriously, not just as a cosmetic issue, but as a deeply emotional one.
Dark spots, acne scars, sun damage, and melasma can affect more than your skin – they can chip away at your confidence, impact how you show up in the world, and create emotional baggage no one talks about. At Skinergy, we talk about it. Loudly. We educate, empower, and create formulas that actually work with your skin, not against it – no bleach, no harsh peels, no harmful shortcuts.
We’re here to change the narrative:
• That you should just “deal with” discoloration.
• That all dark spot treatments are created equal.
• That skin of color is “difficult” or “too sensitive.”
No – your skin is normal, your concerns are valid, and you deserve products made with intention, backed by science, and rooted in cultural understanding.
The lack of diversity and training in dermatology is real – and it’s hurting people. But you don’t have to settle. Ask questions, seek care from providers who understand skin like yours, and support brands like ours that are committed to rewriting the story. Your skin deserves to be seen, understood, and celebrated.
If you struggle with one of these types of hyperpigmentation issues and haven't found a solution, we invite you to try something from our hyperpigmentation-focused collection, formulated with you in mind!