(95) Bridging the beauty gap: evaluating access barriers to aesthetic dermatology in underserved populations through a managed care lens

Background: : Cosmetic injectables, such as Botox and JUVEDERM, can improve mental health, confidence, and quality of life. Yet, financial, systemic, and cultural barriers often keep these benefits out of reach for underserved communities. As beauty becomes more clinical, a key question emerges: who is left behind? Pharmacists, especially in managed care and medical affairs, are well-positioned to promote access, equity, and innovation in this evolving space.

Objective: : To identify key access barriers to aesthetic dermatology for underserved populations and explore how managed care and medical affairs professionals, including pharmacists, can promote equity in this field.

Methods: : A targeted literature review was conducted, and articles relevant to disparities in aesthetic dermatology access were analyzed and categorized into six key clinical, financial, and systemic themes.

Results: : Six core barriers were identified. (1) Aesthetic procedures are predominantly cash-pay and not covered by insurance, creating significant financial barriers. (2) Individuals with skin of color are underrepresented in clinical trials, limiting data generalizability and patient trust. (3) Only 59.8% of U.S.-based dermatology trials report participant race or ethnicity, and among those that do, 74.4% of participants are White—highlighting inadequate representation of underserved groups. (4) Many providers lack training in treating diverse skin tones, which may lead to lower care quality and increased risk of adverse outcomes. (5) While these procedures can significantly improve emotional well-being, such outcomes are rarely factored into value-based care models. (6) Historical exclusion from beauty standards has fostered deep-rooted mistrust among communities of color, potentially reducing comfort with seeking aesthetic care, even when available.

Conclusions: : Aesthetic dermatology intersects with quality of life and health equity. Pharmacists in managed care and medical affairs can support inclusive care through outcomes research, education, and access strategies, thus helping ensure the benefits of beauty are available to all.

Sponsorship:: None