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The Hindu
08-07-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
No health without skin health: a global call to end skin bleaching and prioritise dermatological equity
Every July 8, World Skin Health Day asks the world to reconsider what we see and what we choose not to see. Skin, the body's largest organ, is also its most visible and most vulnerable. It is both a physical barrier and a mirror of health, dignity and social belonging. Yet, despite its profound role in our well-being, skin health is routinely side-lined in global health agendas. In 2025, the message of World Skin Health Day is clear and urgent: #NoHealthWithoutSkinHealth. This year's campaign builds on a historic achievement: the 78th World Health Assembly passed a landmark resolution officially recognising skin diseases as a public health priority. 'The resolution is the result of years of work by ministries of health and the dermatological community,' says Esther Freeman, director of global health dermatology at Harvard Medical School. 'Skin disease touches so many areas, infectious diseases, neglected tropical diseases, even cancer. Its inclusion signals long-overdue recognition.' 'What this means for patients is greater visibility, better funding, and stronger policy support,' she adds. 'It opens the door to cross-sectoral partnerships and the integration of dermatology into broader health systems.' But recognition is just the beginning. One of the most urgent and visible challenges facing dermatologists today is the global crisis of skin bleaching and this year, International League of Dermatological Societies (ILDS) has taken a bold next step. The International League of Dermatological Societies (ILDS) represents over 200 dermatological societies across the globe. The World Skin Health Day is a join initiative by the ILDS and the International Society of Dermatology (ISD). These societies collectively include more than 2,00,000 dermatologists, serving an estimated 4–5 billion people worldwide - particularly when accounting for both direct clinical care and public health outreach. Together, they work to elevate skin health on the international stage, advocate for underserved populations, and influence policy at institutions like the World Health Organization. The campaign is more than symbolic - it aims to unite clinicians, researchers, public health professionals, patients and policymakers in recognising that healthy skin is not a luxury, but a fundamental part of human health. A crisis hidden in plain sight Globally, more than 1.8 billion people live with at least one skin disease, making skin conditions one of the most common human health problems. Conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, acne, infections, leprosy, pigmentary disorders, and skin cancers cut across age, geography, and social status. But their visibility often brings stigma, especially when access to treatment is limited. 'Skin diseases are among the most visible and stigmatised conditions worldwide, yet they continue to be sidelined in the global health agenda,' says Rashmi Sarkar, director and professor of dermatology, Lady Hardinge Medical College, Delhi and Regional Director of ILDS (Asia, Middle East and Africa). 'You cannot speak of health equity while ignoring the skin. Skin health is not cosmetic- it is central to mental wellbeing, quality of life, and social inclusion.' Building on the World Health Assembly resolution, the ILDS, in a new resolution, is calling for urgent global action against skin bleaching - a dangerous and deeply-rooted practice affecting communities across Africa, Asia, South America and the Caribbean. The dangers of skin bleaching 'Skin bleaching is not about beauty. It is a symptom of something much deeper,' says Prof. Sarkar. 'It stems from systemic colourism, colonial histories, and socio-cultural messaging that equate lighter skin with success, desirability, and access. These narratives are reinforced every day - on screens, in advertisements and even, at times, in clinical spaces.' People often use bleaching products in an attempt to lighten or 'brighten' their skin tone, unaware of the serious risks involved. Many of these products contain potent steroids, hydroquinone, mercury and other heavy metals. These substances can severely compromise the skin barrier, leading to conditions like exogenous ochronosis,steroid-induced acne, skin thinning, and even systemic toxicity. 'The creams may seem harmless, even helpful at first glance,' explains Prof. Sarkar, 'but they can cause irreversible damage—both physically and psychologically. And because many are self-compounded or sold through informal channels, their safety is not regulated at all.' This isn't just a women's issue. 'We are now seeing increasing numbers of young men using skin-lightening products,' she adds. 'Social media pressures, dating preferences, and workplace discrimination are pushing men toward the same harmful practices. Skin bleaching cuts across gender, age, geography, and economic background. It is a full-blown public health crisis.' Prof. Sarkar has worked with partners across Asia, Africa, and the Middle East to bring global attention to this issue. The Indian Association of Dermatologists, Venereologists and Leprologists (IADVL) has also played a pivotal role, making awareness about steroid misuse, skin bleaching and its consequences a national campaign priority. 'This year's World Skin Health Dayis not just about telling people to stop using creams. It's about rewriting the story,' she says. 'We must educate people that the skin they have is the skin they're meant to have. Darker skin is not a flaw - it is functional, protective and beautiful. We need to challenge the very idea that lighter is better.' Cross-sectoral action The new ILDS resolution is a call for cross-sectoral action. Dermatologists cannot fight this alone. 'We need public health leaders, media influencers, government regulators, educators, and people from all walks of life to join us,' she urges. 'Because it's not enough to just treat the damage - we must prevent it, by shifting both culture and policy.' Prof. Sarkar emphasises that skin health is often a window into systemic health. 'The skin is where we first see signs ofmalnutrition, HIV, diabetes, autoimmune disease - especially in low-resource settings. If we ignore the skin, we miss crucial opportunities for early diagnosis and care.' In her work across countries, she has seen first-hand how lack of dermatological training and access creates wide inequities in care. 'We need dermatology included in national health programmes, greater investment in training, research and especially in regulation of harmful products. But more than anything, we need compassion,' she says. 'Every person deserves care, regardless of the colour of their skin.' More than a medical campaign As the world marks World Skin Health Day 2025, Prof. Sarkar reminds us that this is more than a medical campaign, it is a movement. Clinics around the world will host free skin health consultations, school programmes, and community awareness drives. Social media will share stories of real people who've lived with the stigma, damage and courage to reclaim their skin. Later this year, the ILDS will convene the 4th World Skin Summit in Cape Town, where leaders from over 80 countries will gather to discuss how to make skin care more inclusive, accessible, and sustainable. 'Our message is clear,' says Prof. Sarkar. 'We cannot keep skin health at the margins. If we truly want universal health coverage, dignity in care and equity in public health - then skin must be part of the conversation.' She concludes:'What is visible is not always seen. Until we see the skin and the people who live in it, there can be no health for all.' (Dr. Monisha Madhumita is a consultant dermatologist at Saveetha Medical College, Chennai.
Arab News
01-07-2025
- Health
- Arab News
Saudi dermatologist first in region to receive ILDS honor
In a significant international milestone for Saudi Arabia, Dr. Saad bin Sami Al-Sogair, a leading Saudi dermatologist, has been awarded the 2025 International Leadership Medal by the International League of Dermatological Societies — one of the highest honors globally in the field of dermatology. This prestigious award is presented annually to individuals who demonstrate exceptional international leadership, influence in public health policy, and who contribute meaningfully to global collaboration in skin health and medical education. Dr. Al-Sogair is the first dermatologist from the GCC countries to receive this recognition. He was nominated by the Saudi Society of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery and was selected from a record number of distinguished candidates worldwide. This achievement is widely seen as a testament not only to Dr. Al-Sogair's personal dedication and leadership, but also to the growing influence of Saudi Arabia in global medical and scientific advancement. The announcement has been met with widespread praise in academic, clinical, and policy circles and is considered a source of national pride. Professor Henry W. Lim, president of ILDS, congratulated the recipients, saying: 'These annual awards celebrate exceptional contributions by dermatologists and related professionals in advancing skin health worldwide. Each of our worthy recipients have significantly improved the lives of people living with skin diseases, whether through international leadership or humanitarian efforts. 'Each of this year's recipients is an inspiration. We extend our warmest congratulations and heartfelt thanks for their exceptional service to the field of dermatology.' Dr. Abdullah bin Sulaiman Al-Akeel, president of the Saudi Society of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery, said: 'We are extremely proud of Dr. Saad Al-Sogair for this historic recognition. His award not only reflects his tireless work and leadership but also highlights the Kingdom's increasing global standing in dermatology. This comes at a significant moment, as Riyadh is currently bidding to host the 2031 World Congress of Dermatology, a global platform to showcase Saudi excellence in skin health.' The ILDS International Leadership Medal honors individuals whose work has had a sustained global impact in areas such as medical education, innovation across borders, and international dermatologic collaboration. This recognition aligns closely with Saudi Vision 2030, which seeks to enhance the Kingdom's international presence in science, research, and healthcare innovation.
Medscape
09-06-2025
- Health
- Medscape
WHO Resolution Aims to Bridge Global Gap in Skin Care
A medical resident in the South Pacific will soon make history. After he graduates in 2026, he's slated to become the first dermatologist to serve the Solomon Islands, a nation of 800,000 people. His training is both a breakthrough and the product of an international effort to improve access to skin care. As they gathered in Fiji in late May to support the resident's regional training program, visiting dermatologists got thrilling news: In Geneva, the World Health Organization (WHO) unanimously passed a landmark resolution to support global skin health. Dermatology trainee Joseph Sangatu, slated to become the first dermatologist in the Solomon Islands, and American dermatologist Esther Freeman, MD, PhD, in the patient ward at the Pacific Dermatology Trainin Cengter in Suva, Fiji. 'We're here 2 days after the resolution passed, already implementing it,' said Claire Fuller, a London-based consultant dermatologist and chair of the International League of Dermatological Societies (ILDS) in an interview. 'The timing is fantastic.' Addressing a Global Care Crisis The resolution aims to tackle stark disparities in global dermatological care. Africa and the Pacific islands have only zero to three dermatologists per million people, Esther Freeman, MD, PhD, associate professor of dermatology at Harvard Medical School and director of Global Health Dermatology at Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, said in an interview from Fiji. 'Many countries have zero dermatologists. There are two dermatologists in Papua New Guinea for 10 million people,' she said. In May, at the annual meeting of the Society for Investigative Dermatology in San Diego, Freeman told colleagues about other gaps in care: In parts of Africa, people with albinism can't find sunscreen, and moisturizer for atopic dermatitis costs double the typical monthly salary. In Australia, only six dermatologists serve rural areas. At least a billion patients with skin disease have no access to dermatologic care, she said, and many more can't afford it. The WHO's 'Skin Diseases as a Global Public Health Priority' resolution, proposed by the Ivory Coast and backed by Nigeria, Togo, Micronesia, and China, aims to implement a coordinated global strategy through initiatives like Fiji's regional training program. The resolution, which passed without the support of the absent US delegation, doesn't come with funding. But José Ruiz Postigo, MD, PhD, a Neglected Tropical Diseases medical officer with WHO, told Medscape Medical News from Fiji that the vote is still transformative. A resolution comes with a high level of mandate, he said. 'When you approach someone at a ministry of health and they ask why you are doing this, to what extent is this a priority, you show them the resolution.' What Will the Resolution Do? One goal of the resolution is to boost the training of dermatologists around the world through programs such as the Fiji's Pacific Dermatology Training Center . It's the first dermatology training program ever established in the Pacific islands, and three Fijians are graduating as the region's inaugural dermatologists. The center, supported by a 5-year ILDS agreement, is similar to programs that have been implemented in other parts of the world. A regional center in Tanzania, for example, serves 16 countries across Africa. Fuller emphasized that training isn't just a matter of producing dermatologists: '80% of dermatology burden is caused by about 10 diseases. We've got an achievable curriculum, and we can train community frontline workers on these 10 diseases.' Freeman agreed, noting that a focus on 10 diseases is 'much more manageable . ' 'We definitely need dermatologists to train the trainers, but they're not the only key players. We'll never have enough dermatologists,' she said. 'Using Papua New Guinea as an example, we need to acknowledge who's on the ground. It could be nurses, medical officers, pharmacists. There's a lot of different cadres of health workers, and this gives us an opportunity to think about the big picture of how we treat people on the front line.' Funding Isn't Allocated — But It's Encouraged Even though it doesn't allocate funding, the resolution specifically recommends that member states increase investment and financing for skin health. 'We in the dermatology community can go to WHO members and say, 'You signed up for this resolution, how can we help you deliver it?'' Fuller said. 'We're not waiting for governments to just act on this; we're going to help them do it.' In addition, the resolution 'opens the door' toward nongovernmental funding, she said. 'Everyone can go to a donor, a university, and say 'Look, in view of this resolution, we want to do this, but we need money.' It's something concrete to point to.' The resolution also mandates WHO to develop internal dermatological resources. 'There's no dermatology department,' Fuller added. 'An obvious solution is to develop a dermatological resource within WHO.' As for the ultimate goal, she said, 'we'd like to be able to say that access to dermatological care is a standard: Any person with a common skin disease would be able to go to their frontline healthcare provider and get it addressed, and there would be specialist services available to refer to when needed.'
The Hindu
25-05-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Beyond fairness: marking International Skin Pigmentation Day with awareness and acceptance
For 32-year-old Ananya (name changed), a content strategist from Bengaluru, dark patches began appearing around her temples and neck nearly four years ago. 'At first, I thought it was just tanning. But over time, the patches deepened, especially around the folds of my skin. No matter what cream I used, nothing helped—and worse, people started asking if I had a disease or wasn't taking care of myself,' she says. It took years of misinformation, home remedies, and even steroid-containing creams before she finally received a diagnosis: Lichen Planus Pigmentosus (LPP)—a chronic pigmentary disorder that disproportionately affects individuals with darker skin tones. 'The hardest part wasn't the condition—it was the way people looked at me. I became self-conscious, even anxious in social situations. I didn't know this was a recognised medical issue. I thought it was just me,' Ananya shares. Stories like hers underscore the urgent need for public awareness—especially around lesser-known conditions like LPP. That's why International Skin Pigmentation Day, observed globally every May 25, matters. This annual observance is not only about educating the public on pigmentation disorders such as melasma, LPP, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation; it also aims to challenge long-standing biases, foster inclusivity, and celebrate the diversity of skin tones worldwide. Understanding pigmentation in Indian skin 'In Indian skin types, while melasma and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation are common, we also see conditions like Lichen Planus Pigmentosus, pigmentary demarcation lines, lentigines, and photopigmentation,' explains Rashmi Sarkar, director professor of dermatology at Lady Hardinge Medical College, Founder of the Pigmentary Disorders Society India, and International director of the ILDS for South Asia, Middle East & Africa (2023–27). LPP, in particular, is a chronic condition characterised by dark, slate-gray patches that often affect the face, neck, and flexural areas. 'It's often mistaken for dirt, neglect, or poor hygiene,' says Dr. Sarkar. 'This adds an extra layer of stigma for patients, especially women. And because LPP is persistent and slow to respond to treatment, it can be emotionally distressing.' Indian skin presents unique challenges in the context of hyperpigmentation. With naturally higher melanin levels, skin of colour is more reactive to inflammation, sun exposure, and mechanical stress. Dr. Sarkar emphasises the importance of tailored dermatological care: 'What works for lighter skin may not work—or may even harm—darker skin. Treatments must start gently, focusing on sun protection, anti-inflammatory agents, and appropriate pigment inhibitors.' Changing norms, growing awareness According to Dr. Sarkar, growing interest in skincare is a double-edged sword. 'People are more proactive now, especially in urban areas,' she says. 'But this also means a flood of misinformation—people blindly adopting global skincare trends that don't account for Indian skin biology.' To address this, she founded the Pigmentary Disorders Society, India's first organisation focused exclusively on pigmentary diseases. 'We need structured research, education, and community awareness—not just quick-fix beauty trends,' she explains. In a culture where fairness has historically equated to beauty and privilege, unlearning internalised colourism remains a challenge. While media and celebrities have helped start the conversation, Dr. Sarkar believes dermatologists must be at the forefront. 'For people with conditions like LPP or melasma, the worst thing they can do is use unsupervised skin-lightening agents or harsh peels. Many of these products contain banned substances like mercury or potent steroids, which can lead to long-term damage,' she warns. 'Hydroquinone, while effective, should only be used under strict medical supervision. DIY remedies like lemon juice or essential oils can make pigmentation worse.' Instead, she advises focusing on broad-spectrum sunscreen, avoiding excessive friction or heat, and using products specifically designed for sensitive, pigmented skin. 'It's about skin health, not skin tone,' she reiterates. A global issue with local roots The International League of Dermatological Societies (ILDS), an umbrella organisation of dermatologic societies worldwide, plays a critical role in raising awareness and advocating for safe skin health practices. Under the leadership of its president, professor Henry W. Lim, the ILDS actively educates against unsafe skin-lightening behaviors, including the misuse of topical steroids, fairness creams, and harmful bleaching agents, as part of its broader advocacy mission. In her role with the ILDS, Dr. Sarkar addresses the global implications of skin tone bias, emphasising that across regions like South Asia, Africa, and Latin America, skin bleaching has become a public health crisis with consequences ranging from severe skin damage to kidney failure and even cancer. Dr.. Sarkar has helped champion global resolutions to regulate harmful products and shift beauty narratives. 'We must stop viewing dark skin as a flaw. That mindset is dangerous—and deeply unfair,' she says. Looking ahead: policy, practice, and self-care To lead meaningful change in this space, Dr. Sarkar emphasises the need for a multipronged approach in India. This includes strengthening dermatological training with a focus on skin of colour, launching public health campaigns that are firmly rooted in scientific evidence, and implementing stricter regulations against harmful and misleading cosmetic products. She underscores that treatment for pigmentary disorders—whether melasma, LPP, or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation—must be evidence-based, gradual, and guided by qualified dermatologists. Foundational care should begin with the consistent use of broad-spectrum sunscreen, complemented by anti-inflammatory agents to reduce irritation and flare-ups. Pigment-lightening ingredients such as azelaic acid, kojic acid, and tranexamic acid may be used judiciously under supervision. Above all, managing pigmentation requires patience, consistency, and a compassionate approach that prioritises skin health over cosmetic perfection. 'These are chronic conditions. Improvement takes time—but it's possible,' Dr. Sarkar says. 'And there should never be shame in seeking help or embracing your natural skin.' International Skin Pigmentation Day is not just a day for medical education—it is a cultural reckoning. In a country where skin tone still influences confidence, social value, and opportunity, this day reminds us to unlearn toxic beauty standards and replace them with science, empathy, and respect. As Dr. Sarkar puts it: 'The future of skin health lies in celebrating diversity—not erasing it.' (Dr. Monisha Madhumita is a consultant dermatologist at Saveetha Medical College, Chennai. She can be reached at )
