Skin of Color Dermatologists – Meet our Team

At Schweiger Dermatology Group, our Skin of Color Dermatology Clinic addresses the needs of patients with darker skin tones. Our dermatology providers have vast expertise in treating patients of all skin tones and ethnicities.

Sumayah Jamal, MD-PhD
Dr. Sumayah Jamal is the Program Director of the Skin of Color Dermatology Clinic at Schweiger Dermatology Group. She was the founding director of the Ethnic Skin Clinic at the NYU School of Medicine. Before she started the NYU clinic, there were few options available for patients of color seeking cosmetic treatments at NYU. Dr. Jamal conducted her undergraduate studies at Johns Hopkins University, and holds an MD and a PhD in Biochemistry from NYU School of Medicine. She is an Assistant Professor at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine.

Kautilya Shaurya, MD
Dr. Kautilya Shaurya (or Dr. K as his patients call him) is a board-certified dermatologist specializing in Skin of Color. He has spent several years working at Howard University Hospital, a premier Skin of Color center. He specializes in medical and cosmetic dermatology, and has a special interest in acne scarring and hyperpigmentation treatments.

Erum Ilyas, MD
Dr. Ilyas is a board-certified dermatologist specializing in skin of color. She has spent years treating patients in the Philadelphia suburbs. She has spoken at conferences on the lack of skin cancer registries in South Asia to assess and address the incidence of skin cancer in skin of color in these areas. She has also worked with a clinic in Pakistan to provide teledermatology services to manage skin diseases that present in their clinic. Dr. Ilyas specializes in both medical and cosmetic dermatology.

Christina Lee Chung, MD
Dr. Christina Lee Chung is a board-certified dermatologist specializing in treating Skin of Color and transplant dermatology. She was Co-Founder and Director of the Drexel Dermatology Center for Transplant Patients where she focused her clinical and research programs on cultural competency, skin disease, and skin cancer risk factors specific to persons of color. Dr. Chung, firm in her belief that one size does not fit all in medicine, has authored numerous publications and has lectured internationally on her work with skin of color, including as part of the American Academy of Dermatology’s Leadership Institute. Dr. Chung is a graduate of Amherst College and received her medical degree from Temple University School of Medicine. She currently serves as Co-Chair of the American Ultimate Disc League’s Inclusion Initiative and is fluent in Spanish, Korean, and English.

Rina Allawh, MD
Dr. Rina Allawh is a board-certified dermatologist who performs adult and pediatric medical dermatology, skin cancer treatment and cosmetic dermatology. Her unique interest in Skin of Color stems from her published research on skin cancer prevention and the burden of skin diseases in immunosuppressed patients of color as well as the use of skin lightening topicals. She focuses on treating Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS), hyperpigmentation, acne, and psoriasis in persons of color. She also co-hosts the “Skin the Surface” podcast and launched a “Skin of Color” series highlighting skin concerns unique to persons of color.

Kendra Joseph, PA-C
Kendra Joseph, PA-C, is an expert in evaluating and treating many skin conditions, with a special interest in conditions that commonly affect skin of color such as keloids, skin discoloration, and ingrown hairs. She has been featured in Vogue magazine, discussing the inclusivity of skin of color in the skincare industry and advocating for the importance of sunscreen usage for melanoma awareness with Accuweather. Kendra earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and biology from the State University of New York at Albany before completing her Physician Assistant training at Stony Brook University. She believes that cultural awareness and sensitivity play a significant role in preventing and treating skin diseases.

Why It is Important to See A Skin of Color Dermatology Provider

It’s important to seek help from a skin of color specialist. “Certain skin conditions have a different appearance in skin of color, and there are certain commonly recommended treatments for both medical and cosmetic conditions that are not well suited for skin of color,” explains Dr. Sumayah Jamal, a skin of color trained dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group. “As such, it is important to see a provider who specializes in skin of color to avoid misdiagnoses and treatments that can damage the skin.”

Skin of Color Medical Dermatology

At our Skin of Color Clinic, we provide Medical Dermatology services and treatments for the following skin conditions:

• Acne and Acne Scars
• Ashy Skin
• Dry, Flaky Skin
• Eczema
• Hair Loss
• Hyperpigmentation
• Keloids
• Mole Removal
• Psoriasis
• Razor Bumps
• Ringworm
• Scars
• Skin Cancer Screening
• Uneven Skin Tone
• Wart Removal

Cosmetic Dermatology Treatments for Skin of Color

Patients are frequently told by providers unfamiliar with skin of color that they are not candidates for cosmetic treatments such as laser hair removal or chemical peels. “But this is simply not true,” says Dr. Jamal. “While there are many lasers and peels that are unsafe for skin of color, there are ample laser and peel options available to treat cosmetic concerns in this patient population.” Many procedures can be safely performed on skin of color. These procedures include but are not limited to laser hair removal, mole removal, chemical peels, fractionated resurfacing, fillers and Botox. “Patients should seek the advice of a skin of color specialist to determine which treatments are best suited to their needs,” says Dr. Jamal.

Our Cosmetic Treatments for Skin of Color include:

• Laser treatments for hair removal
• Laser Tattoo removal
• Botox and Filler injections
• Chemical Peels
• Laser treatments for removal of fine lines and wrinkles
• Laser treatments to improve acne scars
• Body treatments
• Sclerotherapy to remove leg veins