faqs

FAQs

Why is SkinImages.ca necessary?

Dermatologic conditions manifest differently across the skin spectrum. Current medical schools and dermatology training programs often lack comprehensive coverage of these differences, leading to disparities in healthcare outcomes for patients with richly pigmented skin.

The Majority of the world’s population have brown or black skin, yet resources to highlight skin disease in all skin tones are limited. In Canada, recent census data projects that visible minorities will represent up to 43% of all Canadians by the year 2041. Many other countries including the United States, United Kingdom and others, are experiencing similar growth in visible minority populations. This demographic shift underscores the urgent need for dermatologists and all health care practitioners to competently address the unique needs of a diverse patient population.

Can I use SkinImages.ca for free?

Yes, the website is completely free and accessible. You are free to use any of our watermarked images for slide presentations, student projects, textbooks, journals, brochures, blogs, intranet and internet pages or any other medium so long as it is not for commercial purposes. 

Make sure to give appropriate credit to SkinImages.ca and provide an active link back to our site.

If you wish to use an image for commercial purposes, or to obtain an unwatermarked copy, please submit a request by contacting us.

How do I contribute an image?

If you would like to contribute an image, please submit via our contribute an image page.

I think this is such an important initiative, how can I volunteer my time?

We are always looking for dermatologists to volunteer their time to help with organizing and editing various parts of the site. Dermatopathologist/pathologist volunteers to help with the pathology images would also be greatly appreciated.

We are also looking for volunteer efforts from dermatology/pathology residents, fellows, medical and other students in the health care field.

Please contact us if you are interested in volunteering to be part of this important ongoing project.

Dr. Anna Chacon

Dr. Anna Chacon is a renowned board-certified dermatologist from Miami. Inspired by her father, a critical care pioneer, she chose a career in medicine. Dr. Chacon is the only dermatologist serving the secluded Alaskan Bush region, often travelling by push plane for patient care. She also provides vital dermatology services to Indigenous tribes across Florida, Alaska, and California, and offers teledermatology services. Dr. Chacon holds medical licenses in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. She also founded Indigenous Dermatology, a nonprofit focusing on dermatologic health in rural and tribal areas.

Dr. Jaggi Rao

Dr. Jaggi Rao is an award-winning dermatologist, author, innovator and researcher, licensed in both Canada and the United States. He is also a certified cosmetic and laser surgeon, having completed an accredited fellowship in southern California. Dr. Rao has a very busy and popular practice in the heart of Edmonton, where he serves as a Clinical Professor Medicine and the Dermatology Residency Program Director at the University of Alberta. He is also a resource for industry, delivering dozens of lectures every year at local, national and international meetings, while serving on speakers’ bureaus, research committees and advisory boards.