In Midtown Manhattan, Skin of Color Update brought together a distinguished cohort of dermatology leaders for an innovative gathering focused on advancing care for patients with diverse skin tones. Led by Dr. Eliot Battle and Dr. Andrew Alexis, the meeting set a new standard for faculty engagement and clinical insight, underscoring the field’s commitment to holistic, evidence-based care for skin of color.
Skin of Color Update is designed to address the unique needs of patients with skin of color through sessions that blend foundational science with practical, clinical insights. This year’s event continued that mission with a record-setting faculty presence and a program crafted to maximize direct access to the field’s top academic and research voices. Drs. Battle and Alexis led a program that showcased the depth and breadth of skin of color dermatology, emphasizing holistic approaches to care across all skin tones.
At a Glance
Event: Skin of Color Update
Location: Midtown, New York City
Dates: October 3–5, 2025
Co-Chairs: Drs. Eliot Battle and Dr. Andrew Alexis
Focus: Specialized dermatology sessions addressing the needs of patients with skin of color
Highlights: Record faculty attendance; the largest faculty lineup in event history with 32 expert speakers, including several first-time presenters
One of the conference’s most anticipated voices was Dr. Corey Hartman, whose reflections were shared in a post-meeting recap. Dr. Hartman captures both the continuity and the evolution of Skin of Color Update:
“Although I’ve been attending Skin of Color Update for well over ten years now, every year I gain new insight into clinical dermatology that I immediately implement in my practice. This year’s highlights include the rosacea update by Dr. Hilary Baldwin, hidradenitis suppurativa by Dr. Tiffany Mayo, and the new research presented on chronic spontaneous urticaria by Dr. Mona Shahriari, but all of the lectures were valuable and contained many clinical pearls. I always enjoy performing the live injections of botulinum toxin and soft tissue fillers with my colleague and friend, Dr. Noelani Gonzalez, and participating in the panel with Drs. Cheri Frey and Heather Woolery-Lloyd. Catching up with colleagues like Drs. Susan Taylor, Pearl Grimes, and Cheryl Burgess may be the highlight of the meeting. Dr. Alexis and Dr. Battle continue to produce a top-tier meeting filled with the best minds in the specialty focused on holistic care of patients of all skin tones, but particularly those with skin of color.”
Dr. Cheri Frey, who spoke at Skin of Color Update on cosmeceuticals and exosomes for patients with skin of color, also said the conference’s takeaways will have a direct impact on her patient care. “Skin of Color Update continues to be one of the premier conferences, covering the latest innovations in aesthetics and complex medical dermatology for diverse patients. I particularly enjoyed the session discussing the use of GLP-1 agonists in the treatment of inflammatory conditions, such as psoriasis. The aesthetic session was a highlight and left me with key pearls for treating my patients that I can implement right away.”
Dr. Hartman and Dr. Frey’s reflections underscore the conference’s practical orientation—where scientific updates meet hands-on practice and collaborative dialogue. Dr. Hartman’s remarks also highlight the value placed on live demonstrations and panel discussions as integral components of learning in dermatology’s evolving landscape.
The meeting’s energy extended beyond its closing remarks. Attendees and organizers alike spoke to the importance of elevating voices within skin of color dermatology and continuing to expand the field’s reach. Dr. Heather Woolery-Lloyd, a longstanding Skin of Color Update faculty member, was named program development advisor. She will join Drs. Battle and Alexis in planning the 2026 conference.
“Quote from Dr. Heather Woolery-Lloyd”
Skin of Color Update has asserted itself as a premier medical education event of its kind, distinguished by its expansive faculty roster and its commitment to elevating voices in skin of color dermatology. The 2025 meeting featured 32 expert speakers, including several first-time presenters, signaling both continuity and renewal in the conference’s lineage.
As the dermatology community looks to the future, Skin of Color Update stands out for its blend of scholarly rigor, practical relevance, and an empathetic approach to care. With Drs. Battle and Alexis at the helm, the meeting not only highlighted current advances but also set the course for ongoing collaboration, research, and education that will shape patient care for skin of color for years to come.
