Advances in dermatology in sub‐Saharan Africa in the past 20 years from workshops to the birth of the African Society of Dermatology and Venereology

Abstract

Background Highly pigmented African skin and hair have distinct characteristics because of their unique physiology and structure. Twenty years ago, despite an increasing number of dermatology specialists in some African countries, there remained a paucity of collaborative research and workshops on African hair and skin, and there was a need for an inclusive African society to represent dermatologists from all English and Frenchspeaking countries in sub-Saharan Africa. MethodsWe documented significant research advances between 2000 and 2021 on African hair and skin physiology, as well as clinical dermatology, in sub-Saharan Africa. ResultsThe main advances documented include the launch of annual African hair and skin workshops in 2004, the introduction of African research grants and the Africaderm web platform in 2013, and the registration of the African Society of Dermatology and Venereology (ASDV) in 2015, which led to the inaugural scientific meeting of ASDV in 2016. ConclusionThere have been significant research advances in African hair and skin over the past 20 years. As skin physiology and skin conditions are similar across sub-Saharan Africa, scientific and clinical partnerships between companies, academia, and public health care sectors have played a key role in translating new scientific findings on African hair and skin to ensure knowledge is shared. This information has helped educate African specialists, health care workers, and consumers, with a particular focus on the preventable nature of certain dermatoses like skin bleaching-related complications and traction alopecia.

Support for dermatological research in Sub‐Saharan Africa: insights from African hair and skin research programs

“…For this reason, L'Or eal initiated a program 20 years ago to support basic science and clinical research on hair and skin in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). 3 The best 'query equation' was tested using specific keywords related to the five topics and filters to narrow the search.…”

“…Studies on the skin and hair of people of African ancestry conducted in Africa are therefore important to obtain data on local populations to promote advances in healthcare and educate consumers. For this reason, L'Oréal initiated a program 20 years ago to support basic science and clinical research on hair and skin in sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA) 3 . This philanthropic initiative is aimed at supporting African researchers and promoting better understanding of the region's dermatological specificities.…”

“…This philanthropic initiative is aimed at supporting African researchers and promoting better understanding of the region's dermatological specificities. The program has supported training and education in dermatological research in SSA with workshops from 2003, the proceedings of which have been published in special issues of the International Journal of Dermatology 4–6 and British Journal of Dermatology, 7 with African Hair and Skin Research Grants from 2013, and with the creation of the African Society of Dermatology and Venereology in 2015 3 …”