Skin of Color
Dermatology
We all have skin, and some skin comes in different colors and textures that depend on a person’s ethnicity.
Dr. Chukwuma is an Ivy League-educated, board-certified dermatologist who specializes in general, surgical, and cosmetic dermatology. She is an honors graduate of Cornell University, where she studied biological sciences and was awarded the prestigious Cornell Tradition fellowship, in recognition of her outstanding academic and extracurricular achievements.
Dr. Chukwuma went on to attend medical school at the University of Florida College of Medicine, during which time she completed a research fellowship in cutaneous oncology and graduated with special distinction in research. She has published several articles in peer-reviewed academic journals, has co-authored multiple textbook chapters in dermatology, and has been selected to present her work at regional, national, and international medical conferences.
Acanthosis nigricans (AN) is a skin condition that causes one or more areas of skin to darken and thicken. Often the skin with AN feels like velvet. People who get this skin condition sometimes mistakenly believe that a dye or something else they touched has discolored their skin. They try scrubbing away the discoloration. Vigorous scrubbing will not get rid of AN. Acanthosis nigricans is not contagious. It is not harmful.
Sometimes, it is a warning sign of a health problem that requires medical attention. For this reason, it is important to see a dermatologist if you notice an area of darker, thicker skin.
Acne keloidalis nuchae is a common skin condition, which is often mistaken for acne or razor bumps on the back of the neck and scalp. Without proper treatment, acne keloidalis nuchae (AKN) tends to worsen.
Hair loss is a common concern for individuals of all backgrounds, but certain types of hair loss occur more frequently or present differently in patients with skin of color. Conditions such as traction alopecia and central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia (CCCA) are especially common and can be related to hairstyling practices, hair care routines, and genetic factors. Curly and tightly coiled hair textures may also be more prone to breakage, which can be mistaken for true hair loss.
Early diagnosis is key. When addressed promptly, many forms of hair loss can be stabilized or improved. Our practice focuses on identifying the specific cause of hair loss and creating individualized treatment plans to protect scalp health and promote hair preservation.
Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a skin condition that causes painful lumps deep in your skin. These lumps usually develop on parts of the body where skin touches skin like the armpits, inner thighs, and groin area.
A keloid is a type of raised scar. Unlike other raised scars, keloids grow much larger than the wound that caused the scar.
Melasma is a common skin condition where certain areas of your skin become darker than the surrounding skin. These dark patches are usually brown, gray, or bluish and most often appear on the face—such as the cheeks, forehead, nose, and above the upper lip. It happens because the skin cells that produce pigment (melanin) make too much color.
Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH) is when dark spots appear on your skin after it has healed from irritation or injury—like acne, eczema, cuts, burns, or even cosmetic treatments.
Pseudofolliculitis Barbae (often called razor bumps) is a skin problem that happens when shaved hairs grow back into the skin instead of out of it. This causes small, red, irritated bumps that can sometimes turn into pus-filled spots.
People of all colors, including those with brown and black skin, get skin cancer. Even if you never sunburn, you can get skin cancer.
When skin cancer develops in people of color, it’s often in a late stage when diagnosed. This can be deadly when the person has melanoma, a type of skin cancer that can spread quickly. Treatment for any type of skin cancer can be difficult in the late stages.
The good news is you can find skin cancer early. Found early, most skin cancers, including melanoma, can be cured.
Vitiligo is a disease that causes areas of skin to lose color, resulting in spots and patches of lighter skin. Some people develop a few spots. Others have more widespread color loss.