Dr Heather Woolery-Lloyd is a board-certified dermatologist and a member of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine. She completed her undergraduate studies at Georgetown University and later earned her medical degree at the University of Miami School of Medicine. She completed her training in dermatology at the University of Miami where she also served as chief resident.
Dr. Woolery-Lloyd is an internationally recognized dermatology and wellness expert. She has lectured at national and international conferences on anti-aging strategies in skincare and wellness. She is the creator of Specific Beauty, a skincare line specifically designed to treat hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tone.
1) Tell us more about what made you create the Specific Beauty line.
I created Specific Beauty because I felt there was a void in the market. I needed effective formulas that worked to treat dark spots and uneven skin tone, and at the time there was nothing available. I designed Specific Beauty to be a simple regimen because, as a dermatologist, I know regimens are most effective. Each step was formulated with the unique needs of women of color in mind to achieve the best results.
2) You’re a world renowned expert in treating pigment disorders. Could you shed some light on the intricacies of treating pigment issues experienced by skin of color?
I work at a university so I often see more challenging cases of hyperpigmentation. For most women of color, hyperpigmentation is caused by acne. In skin of color, any inflammation in the skin can turn on the melanocytes that make pigment and leave a dark spot behind. Another common cause of hyperpigmentation is melasma. Melasma presents as dark patches on the cheeks/forehead/upper lip. It is often caused by hormonal changes (pregnancy and birth control pills) and is made worse by sun exposure. Uneven skin tone from aging is one more cause of hyperpigmentation.
Rare causes of hyperpigmentation include reactions to medications and immune disorders.
3) You always look so polished! What is your daily skincare routine?
AM
Cleanse with Specific Beauty Purifying Cleanser then apply Specific Beauty Active Brightening Day Moisture SPF30
PM
Cleanse with Specific Beauty Purifying Cleanser, then use Specific Beauty Dark Spot Corrector Pads, and then apply Specific Beauty Replenishing Moisture Complex
4) A lot of attention has been drawn to potential safety issues [i.e., ochronosis] with hydroquinone, particularly for patients of darker skin tones. Has this been an issue for you in your practice?
This has not been an issue in my practice. I often use prescription hydroquinone to treat melasma. Hydroquinone is extremely effective and is designed for short term use. After a short course of 4-6 weeks, I switch to a hydroquinone-free product for maintenance.
5) The Specific Beauty Intensive Brightening Serum is essentially a hydroquinone-free alternative to Tri-Luma/Compounded HQ creams. When formulating, how did you go about deciding the ingredients in the serum?
I chose licorice root extract to replace the hydroquinone as it is a highly effective ingredient to achieve an even skin tone. It works directly on the enzyme that is required to produce pigment n the skin.I chose ginger root extract to replace the topical cortisone due to its anti-inflammatory effectsFinally, I chose retinol to replace the prescription retinoid.
6) Is there a difference between treatments for melasma, dark spots from acne scars, and sunspots? And, what is the biggest misconception about these conditions?
The treatments are similar but the key difference is in how long the treatment lasts. When treating dark spots from acne, treating the acne is just as important. This is crucial because when the acne clears new dark spots are not formed.Melasma is more challenging because it is a chronic condition so I use hydroquinone for a short period of time and then maintain with a hydroquinone-free treatment. I try to limit hydroquinone use to a few times a year.
7) What are some game changers on the market when it comes to treating pigment disorders?
The addition of iron oxide to sunscreens is a new change. Iron oxides protect against visible light. The only issue is that these sunscreens are tinted so they need to be matched the skin color which can be challenging in darker skin types. Microneedling is a new treatment for melasma and has shown excellent results in published papers.
8) You’re passionate about wellness, too. What’s a wellness trend are you really into right now?
I am most excited about the emphasis on wellness in general. Our health is our greatest asset and COVID 19 has taught us how fragile we can be.
9) For skin of color, are there any safe laser/ energy based options for skin rejuvenation? Do you prefer peels over laser?
Energy devices for fat and body contouring are safe in all skin types. Laser hair removal continues to be safe. The NdYAG is the safest laser for hair removal in darker skin types. Microneedling as mentioned above has been effective in treating melasma. I use peels most often in my practice when treating hyperpigmentation with an in-office procedure.
10) If you weren’t a dermatologist, what would you be doing?
I would be an entrepreneur full time. I love the problem solving involved in entrepreneurship.
Credits
https://www.specificbeauty.com/
https://www.instagram.com/drheathermd/
https://www.tiktok.com/@drheathermd
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