African American Dermatologists in Phx (Phoenix, Tucson: insurance, school, college)

[qnnubian]

Does anyone know of any African American Dermatologists in the Phx area?

[BurtsBees]

Black epidermis isnt much different than caucasian skin treatment wise, so any dermatologist should be able to help you.

[Jaine Blaize]

qnnubian,

Actually there is a significant difference in skin amongst African Americans (i.e. scaring, procedures, care etc.) which is why there's a subsection taught in college concerning Ethnic Dermatology.

Although there may be a few dermatologist here that may be familiar with ethnic skin here (familiar...not experts), there's one that I heard about that knows a great deal about AA skin. Her name is Dr. Toni Stockton and she has her own practice called," Stockton Dermatology". The number is 480-610-6366 and I believe that she has 2 locations - one in Mesa and a new one in Phoenix. Her website is stocktondermatlogy(dot)com.

Now, be aware that because she is maybe one of 3 dermatologists that focus on ethnic skin, she's usually booked up. So start with her website because I think she has a list of all of the insurance programs she accepts. If yours is on the list then give her a call but expect to wait a few months.

Hope this helps!

J. Blaize

[Cabthompson]

not true, burt

[azriverfan.]

Yes, it's true there are subtle differences but any dermatologist can effectively manage African American patients as they are required to be able to competently treat all skin types. What I suspect is ocuring is certain dermatologists are marketing themselves in such a way to secure more patients and/or develop a niche for themselves. I certainly don't have a problem with an African American patient preferring to be seen by an African American dermatologist or whoever they feel most comfortable with. However, African American patients should not be misled into thinking they must see an African American dermatologist or one who claims to "specialize" in Black skin to be treated effectively.

Lastly, African Americans vary tremendously from a genetic standpoint. We tend to socially group people but in terms of biology, there is so much variation among each race. Some Blacks will have skin that is very caucasion like. This reminds me of a young African American girl I once knew. She didn't wear sunscreen because she was told that Blacks don't have to wear it because they are dark. The poor thing got severely burned. And even dark skinned people can get sun burned with prolonged exposure although they have a much better natural "SPF" with the increased melanin content. Nonetheless, this is a tall tale among lay people that minorities don't require sunscreen.

[Ponderosa]

Originally Posted by MissMack80

Quote from azriverfan: "...but any dermatologist can effectively manage African American patients as they are required to be able to competently treat all skin types."

I am an African American woman that has suffered from acne scarring since highschool. I went to see Dr. Nelson at Associated Dermatologists in Tucson, AZ and he told me there is nothing he could do for me to treat my scars/blemishes! ;( He said that he could treat reoccuring acne pimples (which I do not have), but that there was nothing in existence that would treat my dark acne scars....I wasted my time going to see him and I will never go back again. Not to mention, the staff was rude and I was totally let down. I left his office devastated!

All dermatologists "can not" treat African American skin! I would advise everyone not to go to Associated Dermatologists in Tucson, AZ! It was a complete waste of time and Dr. Nelson was not knowledgeable of any products that can treat African American acne scars!!! If anyone knows of any good black dermatologists in the Tucson/Phoenix area, please suggest! I will contact Toni Stockton, a black female dermatologists in Mesa/Phoenix area. Thanks for the previous posts!

My wife was a patient of Dr. Stockton when she was younger. Stockton is very well known and respected in treatment of AAs (and others). They got the acne under control, but the dark scars are still there to some degree and she uses makeup on them. Even my kids (mixed) are plagued with the tendency to form dark scars on minor cuts and such. Definitely have a consult with Dr. Stockton. If nothing else, you will be assured that everything you can do has been done. Good luck!

[Kimballette]

It's an interesting topic, but you revived a year old dormant thread.

[Jkgourmet]

Yenbabe Mengesha, MD - Phoenix, AZ

[Uhuh]

Originally Posted by azriverfan.

Yes, it's true there are subtle differences but any dermatologist can effectively manage African American patients as they are required to be able to competently treat all skin types. What I suspect is ocuring is certain dermatologists are marketing themselves in such a way to secure more patients and/or develop a niche for themselves. I certainly don't have a problem with an African American patient preferring to be seen by an African American dermatologist or whoever they feel most comfortable with. However, African American patients should not be misled into thinking they must see an African American dermatologist or one who claims to "specialize" in Black skin to be treated effectively.

+rep, I cannot agree more.

[azriverfan.]

Originally Posted by Jkgourmet

Yenbabe Mengesha, MD - Phoenix, AZ

He is not a dermatologist. He is an General Internal Medicine physician. I know him