A new study by L’Oréal Dermatological Beauty has found that only 27 of 158 surveyed countries have enough dermatologists to meet the needs of their population. The Global Access to Skin Health Observatory study, conducted by the International League of Dermatological Societies and L’Oréal Dermatological Beauty, estimates that a country needs 5.63 dermatologists per 100,000 people to provide adequate care.
The global average is 2.66 dermatologists per 100,000 people, with high-income countries being 8.84 times more likely to meet this benchmark than countries in other income groups. Dermatologist density varies greatly, ranging from 5.05 per 100,000 people in high-income markets to 0.37 per 100,000 in low-income countries.
No surveyed country in the WHO African or South-East Asia regions has met the threshold, highlighting a significant global divide in access to dermatology care. The study included countries whose populations account for 96.7% of the global population, with over two billion people living with skin disease.
Despite this, 74% of participating countries said their national governments do not prioritize skin health. Workforce numbers also mask geographic disparities, with around 79% of dermatologists globally working in urban areas, rising to 91% in low-income countries.
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Dr Esther Freeman, the study’s principal investigator, said: “Where you live should not determine your access to skin health – but today, it does.” The assessment identifies expanded training, better dermatology education for frontline healthcare workers, telemedicine, and artificial intelligence as possible responses to address these disparities.
However, the authors note that AI diagnostic tools still face weaknesses, including limited validation and poorer performance across darker skin tones. The study’s findings have implications for countries like the UK, where private dermatology services have expanded in response to sustained pressure on NHS capacity.
According to Statista data, there were 720 dermatology consultants working across NHS hospitals in England in February 2026, alongside 295 dermatologists at staff-grade and specialty-registrar level. The London Dermatology Centre notes that consultant availability is concentrated more heavily in London and southern England, while northern, rural, and economically disadvantaged areas experience persistent shortages.
L’Oréal Dermatological Beauty’s Act for Dermatology programme is working to support clinical education and access to skin diagnosis and treatment. They are collaborating with healthcare practitioners and international organisations on research, training, and access to care, highlighting the role dermocosmetics companies can play in addressing the global divide in access to dermatology care.
