Every July 8, World Skin Health Day asks the world to reconsider what we see and what we choose not to see. Skin, the body’s largest organ, is also its most visible and most vulnerable. It is both a physical barrier and a mirror of health, dignity and social belonging. Yet, despite its profound role in our well-being, skin health is routinely side-lined in global health agendas.
In 2025, the message of World Skin Health Day is clear and urgent: #NoHealthWithoutSkinHealth.
This year’s campaign builds on a historic achievement: the 78th World Health Assembly passed a landmark resolution officially recognising skin diseases as a public health priority.
“The resolution is the result of years of work by ministries of health and the dermatological community,” says Esther Freeman, director of global health dermatology at Harvard Medical School. “Skin disease touches so many areas, infectious diseases, neglected tropical diseases, even cancer. Its inclusion signals long-overdue recognition.”
“What this means for patients is greater visibility, better funding, and stronger policy support,” she adds. “It opens the door to cross-sectoral partnerships and the integration of dermatology into broader health systems.”
But recognition is just the beginning. One of the most urgent and visible challenges facing dermatologists today is the global crisis of skin bleaching and this year, International League of Dermatological Societies (ILDS) has taken a bold next step.
The International League of Dermatological Societies (ILDS) represents over 200 dermatological societies across the globe. The World Skin Health Day is a join initiative by the ILDS and the International Society of Dermatology (ISD). These societies collectively include more than 2,00,000 dermatologists, serving an estimated 4–5 billion people worldwide – particularly when accounting for both direct clinical care and public health outreach. Together, they work to elevate skin health on the international stage, advocate for underserved populations, and influence policy at institutions like the World Health Organization. The campaign is more than symbolic – it aims to unite clinicians, researchers, public health professionals, patients and policymakers in recognising that healthy skin is not a luxury, but a fundamental part of human health.
A crisis hidden in plain sight
Globally, more than 1.8 billion people live with at least one skin disease, making skin conditions one of the most common human health problems. Conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, acne, infections, leprosy, pigmentary disorders, and skin cancers cut across age, geography, and social status. But their visibility often brings stigma, especially when access to treatment is limited.
“Skin diseases are among the most visible and stigmatised conditions worldwide, yet they continue to be sidelined in the global health agenda,” says Rashmi Sarkar, director and professor of dermatology, Lady Hardinge Medical College, Delhi and Regional Director of ILDS (Asia, Middle East and Africa). “You cannot speak of health equity while ignoring the skin. Skin health is not cosmetic- it is central to mental wellbeing, quality of life, and social inclusion.”
Building on the World Health Assembly resolution, the ILDS, in a new resolution, is calling for urgent global action against skin bleaching – a dangerous and deeply-rooted practice affecting communities across Africa, Asia, South America and the Caribbean.
The dangers of skin bleaching
“Skin bleaching is not about beauty. It is a symptom of something much deeper,” says Prof. Sarkar. “It stems from systemic colourism, colonial histories, and socio-cultural messaging that equate lighter skin with success, desirability, and access. These narratives are reinforced every day – on screens, in advertisements and even, at times, in clinical spaces.”
People often use bleaching products in an attempt to lighten or ‘brighten’ their skin tone, unaware of the serious risks involved. Many of these products contain potent steroids, hydroquinone, mercury and other heavy metals. These substances can severely compromise the skin barrier, leading to conditions like exogenous ochronosis,steroid-induced acne, skin thinning, and even systemic toxicity. “The creams may seem harmless, even helpful at first glance,” explains Prof. Sarkar, “but they can cause irreversible damage—both physically and psychologically. And because many are self-compounded or sold through informal channels, their safety is not regulated at all.”
This isn’t just a women’s issue. “We are now seeing increasing numbers of young men using skin-lightening products,” she adds. “Social media pressures, dating preferences, and workplace discrimination are pushing men toward the same harmful practices. Skin bleaching cuts across gender, age, geography, and economic background. It is a full-blown public health crisis.”
Prof. Sarkar has worked with partners across Asia, Africa, and the Middle East to bring global attention to this issue. The Indian Association of Dermatologists, Venereologists and Leprologists (IADVL) has also played a pivotal role, making awareness about steroid misuse, skin bleaching and its consequences a national campaign priority. “This year’s World Skin Health Dayis not just about telling people to stop using creams. It’s about rewriting the story,” she says. “We must educate people that the skin they have is the skin they’re meant to have. Darker skin is not a flaw – it is functional, protective and beautiful. We need to challenge the very idea that lighter is better.”
Cross-sectoral action
The new ILDS resolution is a call for cross-sectoral action. Dermatologists cannot fight this alone. “We need public health leaders, media influencers, government regulators, educators, and people from all walks of life to join us,” she urges. “Because it’s not enough to just treat the damage – we must prevent it, by shifting both culture and policy.”
Prof. Sarkar emphasises that skin health is often a window into systemic health. “The skin is where we first see signs ofmalnutrition, HIV, diabetes, autoimmune disease – especially in low-resource settings. If we ignore the skin, we miss crucial opportunities for early diagnosis and care.”
In her work across countries, she has seen first-hand how lack of dermatological training and access creates wide inequities in care. “We need dermatology included in national health programmes, greater investment in training, research and especially in regulation of harmful products. But more than anything, we need compassion,” she says. “Every person deserves care, regardless of the colour of their skin.”
More than a medical campaign
As the world marks World Skin Health Day 2025, Prof. Sarkar reminds us that this is more than a medical campaign, it is a movement. Clinics around the world will host free skin health consultations, school programmes, and community awareness drives. Social media will share stories of real people who’ve lived with the stigma, damage and courage to reclaim their skin.
Later this year, the ILDS will convene the 4th World Skin Summit in Cape Town, where leaders from over 80 countries will gather to discuss how to make skin care more inclusive, accessible, and sustainable.
“Our message is clear,” says Prof. Sarkar. “We cannot keep skin health at the margins. If we truly want universal health coverage, dignity in care and equity in public health – then skin must be part of the conversation.” She concludes:“What is visible is not always seen. Until we see the skin and the people who live in it, there can be no health for all.”
(Dr. Monisha Madhumita is a consultant dermatologist at Saveetha Medical College, Chennai. mail.monisha.m@gmail.com)
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