Speaker Details

BIOGRAPHY

I decided to become a dermatologist because of the need for doctors who specialize in managing skin and hair conditions that affect people who have black and brown skin. I provide comprehensive care to adults. I manage different types of hair loss, including central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia, which destroys hair follicles and causes scarring. This condition can lead to permanent hair loss on the crown, the top part of the scalp. I also care for people who have traction alopecia, which is caused by hairstyles that tightly pull hair. I manage razor bumps, known as pseudofolliculitis barbae, an inflammatory condition that can be caused by shaving. I also care for people who have melasma, which causes brown patches, usually on the face. In addition, I treat acne and acne scars. Treatment for hair loss may include the injection of medications into the skin. In addition, I offer platelet-rich plasma, which can be used to stimulate hair growth. For people who have severe acne, I perform chemical peels and microneedling, a procedure in which tiny needles are used to create new skin tissue and collagen. I also treat immunobullous diseases, which are autoimmune conditions that cause blisters to form on the skin. When necessary, I prescribe immunosuppressive infusions to manage these conditions. I develop comprehensive treatment plans to help patients with all skin types. I educate patients about their condition and the possible side effects of treatment, so they can make informed decisions. In addition, I practice cost-conscious medicine, meaning I help patients find affordable products and alternative treatments to manage their conditions. I am a co-founder of NYU Langone’s Skin of Color Program, which offers personalized, evidence-based treatment for conditions affecting people with black and brown skin. My research is focused on health disparities and the diagnosis and treatment of hair disorders. I am investigating new ways to diagnose and manage scarring alopecia, which can lead to permanent hair loss, and alternative treatments for immunobullous disorders. I have been included in Allure magazine’s “Best Black Dermatologists” list. In addition, I am a member of the Skin of Color Society and the American Academy of Dermatology.