Good skin knowledge is needed every day

Michel Ntiri, SUNY Downstate Health Science University MD Candidate 2024, knows the true importance of Good Skin Knowledge.

Michel’s story

“EVERY DAY? Even on cloudy days when the sun isn’t out?” asked Jamaya, a fifth-grade LEAP Academy Student.

Jamaya was one of many students who participated in the AAD’s Good Skin Knowledge program, hosted by the nonprofit Give-A-Kit in partnership with the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). This, along with countless other “OMG!” moments from other students, underscored the importance of Good Skin Knowledge even more.

Give-A-Kit founders Liz Ramos, Joel Ntiri, and myself partnered with the Rutgers Future Scholars Program and LEAP Academy, as well as the AAD’s Good Skin Knowledge program, to teach underprivileged youth in Camden, New Jersey about skin health and how to properly care for their skin. Liz and I led students through an array of fun activities and engaging lectures, covering a range of topics from skin anatomy to how our earth’s ecosystem affects the skin. The students made skin models, participated in a live demonstration of how pimples form, and even created their own UV bracelets. While the fun became a bit messy at times, the students walked away with the invaluable knowledge of how to care for their skin.

“I had so many questions about my skin and used any product you can get at drug stores,” says Madhu, a Rutgers Future Scholar from Camden, N.J. “Now, I know that the questions I have can all be answered by a dermatologist.”

It is commonplace for children to form certain beliefs about their skin that may stem from what they have been exposed to growing up or what they have heard from friends and family. Skin problems often carry a stigma and can result in bullying. In a way, the Good Skin Knowledge Program helped exfoliate away the layers of misconceptions and plant seeds of confidence within the students. The goal is to reach students at a young age so that when they are faced with skin issues, they know what to do and can explain it to others.

The value of this program lies not only in the knowledge the students received but also in the exposure they gained regarding the field of dermatology. With skin education and awareness being especially limited amongst underserved communities, we wanted to expose students in inner-city schools to different career paths in medicine. 

Overall, we are immensely grateful to have had the opportunity to partner with the AAD in propagating dermatologic education to students. Partnering with AAD to teach about skin health has sparked curiosity in the students and fueled our desire to continue to serve people of all ages through education and advocacy.