Why Dermatology Nurse Practitioners Should Recommend Tinted Sunscreen for Skin of Color Patients
Dr. Hannah Kopelman is a physician and rising dermatologist with dual clinical training in cutaneous oncology from Boston University and hair loss from Columbia University. She is the host of "Derm Club," a popular podcast where she interviews leading experts in dermatology, skincare, and beauty, providing listeners with high-level overviews of pertinent skin health topics. She recently posted several recommendations on LinkedIn about the best skincare practices for darker skin tones and asked for go-to skincare tips. When it comes to best skincare practices, my favorite topics are increasing awareness about the importance of promoting a healthy skin barrier and daily photoprotection. In this article, I discuss why Dermatology Nurse Practitioners should recommend tinted sunscreen for skin of color (SOC) patients.
Get to Know Dr. Hannah Kopelman, MD
In addition to her professional pursuits, Dr. Kopelman is the Chief Medical Officer of DermOnDemand, a teledermatology service she co-founded with her brother, Dr. Ross Kopelman, MD, who holds an MBA from Cornell University. Their collaboration reflects a shared commitment to enhancing accessibility in dermatological care. Dr. Kopelman maintains an active presence on social media, including Instagram and LinkedIn, where she shares insights into her professional journey and personal life. She has expressed a close bond with her brother, highlighting their shared experiences in the medical field. Through her diverse roles, Dr. Kopelman exemplifies dedication to advancing dermatological education, patient care, and professional collaboration.
Tinted Sunscreen: Evidence-based Practice for Skin of Color
There has been a growing trend, both in conversation and in the literature as seen below, to recommend tinted sunscreen for skin of color patients. Even Dr. Susan Taylor, MD the incoming president of the American Academy of Dermatology, who also emphasizes the importance of tailored photoprotection strategies for skin of color, has joined several other dermatologists to create more content on the topic.
In the article "Guide to Tinted Sunscreens in Skin of Color," published in the International Journal of Dermatology, Dr. Cici Zhou, MD and colleagues address the significant impact of visible light (VL) on hyperpigmentation disorders, particularly in individuals with skin of color. While ultraviolet light (UVL) has long been recognized as a factor in conditions like melasma and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), recent studies highlight VL as an underappreciated contributor to these disorders (Zhou et al., 2023).
The authors advocate for the use of tinted sunscreens containing iron oxides, emphasizing their superior protection against VL compared to non-tinted sunscreens. These tinted formulations not only prevent melasma relapses and reduce hyperpigmentation but also enhance the efficacy of topical treatments like hydroquinone. When selecting an appropriate tinted sunscreen, considerations should include broad-spectrum coverage, suitable tint, formulation texture, active ingredients, and cost (Zhou et al., 2023).
Dermatology nurse practitioners need to stay abreast of the latest research so we can offer the best evidence-based recommendations for our SOC patients to decrease their risk of hyperpigmentation, which often impacts us more than the disease itself – this has also been well documented in the literature. For those interested in assessing the psychological impact of dermatological diseases (pscyhodermatology) in your patients, I recommend implementing the Dermatology Quality Life Index tool into your practice prior to the visit (Vyas et al., 2024). It’s also a great tool to incorporate into a DNP Project. For those interested in brainstorming DNP Project ideas, contact me directly. My DNP Project Ideas book is slated for release very soon!!!!
• Elta MD’s new UV Clear Deep Tinted Sunscreen. Click here.
Dr. Julian Sass, PhD is a cosmetic scientist specializing in personal care research and development, with expertise in claim substantiation and cosmetic formulation. He earned his PhD in Biomathematics and Statistics from North Carolina State University and has since worked with both multinational corporations and indie brands. Dr. Sass is also known for creating an extensive sunscreen database to help individuals, particularly those with darker skin tones, make informed sun protection choices. Dr. Julian Sass has tested 100s of sunscreens for white cast. You can view his database here.
I appreciate the work of both Dr. Kopelman and Dr. Sass, particularly their commitment to creating credible social media content for the public and practitioners alike. Yet, another example of the importance of owning your digital footprint and the positive impact we can have when we effectively leverage the power of social media. Please follow them and support their work. Be sure to tell them I sent you!
Reference
Zhou, C., Lee, C., Salas, J., & Luke, J. (2023). Guide to tinted sunscreens in skin of color. International Journal of Dermatology, 63(3), 272–276. https://doi.org/10.1111/ijd.16954
Vyas, J., Johns, J. R., Abdelrazik, Y., Ali, F. M., Ingram, J. R., Salek, S., & Finlay, A. Y. (2024). The Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) used as the benchmark in validation of 101 quality-of-life instruments: A systematic review. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology. https://doi.org/10.1111/jdv.20321
Kimberly Madison, DNP, AGPCNP-BC, WCC
I am a Board-Certified Nurse Practitioner, educator, and author dedicated to advancing dermatology nursing education and research with an emphasis on skin of color. As the founder of Mahogany Dermatology Nursing | Education | Research, I aim to expand access to dermatology research, business acumen, and innovation using artificial intelligence and augmented reality while also leading professional groups and mentoring clinicians. Through engaging and informative social media content and peer-reviewed research, I empower nurses and healthcare professionals to excel in dermatology and improve patient care.
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