Beyond Ethnicity in Dermatology

In April 2014, the editor criticized the imprecise use of "ethnicity" and "race" in dermatology, noting that these terms can lead to misinterpretations in research and clinical practice. The document acknowledged the impact of skin color and hair texture on certain dermatologic diseases but argued that ethnicity is a complex and difficult-to-measure construct, particularly in diverse populations. It discussed the evolutionary aspects of skin color and hair curl, with skin color variations linked to vitamin D synthesis and UV light protection, while the reasons for hair curl evolution are less clear. The text also covered dermatologic conditions prevalent in individuals of African descent and the effect of geographic origin on disease. The editor advocated for the elimination of race and ethnicity as categories in dermatology and called for the creation of validated, objective tools to assess skin color and hair texture to enhance research and patient care.