Welcome to the New International Journal of Women’s Dermatology

Abstract

Why a new (first in the United States and second internationally) journal about women and their children’s skin issues? Because there is a gap in the literature on this subject! Historically, clinical trials and studies in medicine essentially excluded women. It would seem that the glass ceiling also applied to health care and patient care! Also, this seems like a natural extension of the Women’s Dermatology Society (WDS). In developing this journal, we announce to the world that WDS is (and always has been) as serious about academics, research, and advancing knowledge as mentoring and encouraging each other to succeed. Women have unique issues in our field. Alopecia to a female has different psychosocial implications than to most men. Breast diseases and lesions may have a greater impact both medically and socially. As women, we are more susceptible to some diseases, at the whim of the rise and fall of hormones (depending on age and disease state), and view the physical consequences of aging with a bit more trepidation than most men. We tend to use products, do things with our hair and nails, undergo procedures, and take medications that men usually do not. This makes us susceptible to many issues dermatologically and to systemic diseases that are not seen as often in men. Finally, we are still generally the ones in charge of the children (although with more help from our spouses and partners than ever before). Therefore, this journal will deal with all issues in dermatology but also specifically deal with dermatologic issues that affect women and their children. We hope that our readership and submissions will reach out across specialties, including not only dermatology but also obstetrics and gynecology, uro-gynecology, pediatrics, family practice, surgery, endocrinology, psychiatry, etc. We also hope to publish the research that is sponsored by WDS grants, update the readership on WDS events and committee reports, discuss ethical issues unique to women dermatologists, and discuss mentoring issues, including time management skill advice. Many have asked us why we are an open access journal. The era of new subscription journals is sadly no longer sustainable. Unlike the plethora of other new open access journals, ours is associated with and will help support the missions of the Women’s Dermatology Society, especially mentorship, scholarship and research. Hopefully by being open access and peer-reviewed by the best experts in the field, not just WDS members, the papers being written on the topics we care about will highlight the talents within the female dermatologic community worldwide, be they medical students, residents or fellows working with a male mentor, or male mentees working with a female mentor, as in this first issue. We plan to publish the first names as well as surnames of our authors and to highlight some of our high achievers within the WDS in future issues. So spread the word. We want this journal to be successful. In fact, as women who have fought hard to get where we are, failure is not in our vocabulary. Submit articles, make suggestions, and enjoy this new journal. We also hope that this journal will encourage every female (and hopefully many male) dermatologists to join WDS. Unlike other organizations, the WDS is not political. It is about helping and mentoring each other, developing new friendships, and enhancing the field of dermatology!