In the breadth of medicine and dermatology, certain conditions demand a closer look—not just because of how they appear on the surface, but because of how they impact a patient's life. Pigmentary conditions are a prime example, and the chair of the Pigmentary Disorders Exchange Symposium says it is time they take center stage.

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In this Next Steps in Derm video interview, Pearl E. Grimes, MD, FAAD, outlines the unique paradox of pigmentary conditions: they are right in front of us, yet they remain largely invisible. While clinicians regularly see and diagnose these conditions, they are often invisible in the way care is prioritized and patient needs are assessed.

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Dr. Grimes shares three distinct lenses in which to view pigmentary conditions in order to fully understand their impact. She outlines the quality of life effects and the need for dermatology clinicians to look beyond the physical symptoms. A reframed perspective, according to Dr. Grimes, will lead to a much-needed transformation in dermatology and make possible optimized care that creates a meaningful, lasting difference.