Dermatology Journal Redefines Beauty with Diversity-Focused Framework

SCHAUMBURG, IL – December 29, 2025 – In a significant move to advance equity and precision in aesthetic medicine, the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS) has announced the publication of a special issue of its official journal, Dermatologic Surgery. Titled “Facial Assessment in a Diverse World,” the issue provides a comprehensive new framework for patient consultations, aiming to standardize and elevate the quality of care for an increasingly diverse global population.

Supported by a grant from Galderma, Inc., the collection of articles challenges practitioners to move beyond traditional, often monolithic, beauty standards. Instead, it advocates for a holistic approach that integrates a patient's unique anatomical features, cultural background, and personal aesthetic goals. This initiative arrives at a critical time, as the demand for cosmetic procedures grows worldwide, highlighting the urgent need for clinical standards that reflect the true diversity of patients seeking treatment.

“This special issue was created to provide dermatologists with a practical framework to conduct facial evaluations for patients in a comprehensive manner with a focus on individualized, diversity-sensitive and structured consultations,” stated ASDS President Dr. Kavita Mariwalla, who served as the special issue’s Guest Editor and lead author. “This concept merges science, art and empathy to ensure safe, equitable care with clinical precision for all patients.”

A Structured Approach to the 'Whole Patient'

The core of the special issue is the argument that effective facial rejuvenation depends on a patient-centered assessment that considers more than just lines and wrinkles. The authors—a distinguished group of dermatologic surgeons including Drs. Daniel Belkin, Charles Boyd, Sabrina Fabi, and others—present a methodology that encompasses anatomical, psychological, and cultural dimensions. This multi-faceted approach is designed to foster deeper physician-patient communication and lead to more satisfying and natural-looking outcomes.

To help physicians implement this new standard, the articles detail emerging digital tools and structured assessment guides. Among these are the Galderma Facial Assessment Scale (FAS™) and its companion augmented-reality application, FACE by Galderma™. These innovations are designed to translate abstract concepts of holistic assessment into a practical, repeatable process. They provide a common language and visual aid for both the clinician and the patient, ensuring that treatment plans are co-created and fully aligned with the patient’s expectations.

The journal systematically breaks down the assessment process into distinct anatomical zones, providing detailed clinical guidance for each. The articles cover:

• The Upper Face: Analyzing the forehead and periorbital region.
• The Midface: Focusing on the nose and cheeks.
• The Lower Face: Assessing the lips, chin, and jawline.
• The Submental and Neck Region: Evaluating the area beneath the chin and the neck.

By dedicating individual articles to each region before culminating in a final piece on “Assessing the Whole Face in the Context of the Whole Patient,” the special issue offers a curriculum-like guide that is accessible to both seasoned experts and practitioners new to the field. This structured methodology aims to replace subjective evaluations with a more rigorous, evidence-based process.

Merging Science with Cultural Empathy

At its heart, the special issue is a call for greater empathy and cultural competency in the clinic. The authors emphasize that facial aesthetics are deeply intertwined with identity, heritage, and personal history. A treatment that is considered desirable in one culture may be unwanted in another. Therefore, a truly successful consultation requires the dermatologist to understand not just what can be changed, but what the patient wants to change and why.

This patient-centered philosophy marks a significant evolution in cosmetic dermatology. It reframes the physician’s role from a purveyor of services to a collaborative partner in the patient’s aesthetic journey. The framework encourages open-ended questions about a patient's goals and background, ensuring that treatment plans respect and enhance their unique features rather than conforming them to a narrow, preconceived ideal of beauty.

The publication underscores a broader industry trend toward personalization. As technology provides more tools for precise intervention, the focus is shifting toward using that technology with greater nuance and artistry. The integration of psychological and cultural considerations ensures that the “art” of dermatologic surgery is guided by the science of anatomy and the ethics of patient-centered care.

Industry-Wide Impact and Accessibility

The collaboration between the ASDS and Galderma highlights the crucial role of industry support in advancing medical education. The special issue was distributed with the December 2025 edition of Dermatologic Surgery, a highly respected, peer-reviewed journal founded in 1975. Published by Wolters Kluwer, the journal reaches a wide audience of specialists, including members of the American College of Mohs Surgery and the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery.

By making this supplemental issue available to all ASDS members as part of their complimentary subscription, the society ensures that this new framework for facial assessment will be widely disseminated and discussed. This educational push is vital for translating cutting-edge concepts into everyday clinical practice, ultimately improving the standard of care for patients everywhere.

The principles outlined in “Facial Assessment in a Diverse World” are poised to influence not only current practitioners but also the training of the next generation of dermatologic surgeons, embedding a more inclusive and holistic mindset at the foundational level of the specialty.