AAD Clinical Image Collection

Advancing dermatology with diverse images

The American Academy of Dermatology is proud to introduce this new free member benefit, our very own library of diverse skin images, the AAD Clinical Image Collection. In dermatology, where images are critical for diagnoses, the lack of images of darker skin in professional education has been identified as a roadblock to proper treatment and medical training. To continue providing our members with resources that can help with our commitment to excellence in patient care, our image collection addresses the critical gap of images representing dermatologic diseases in all skin types and tones, including dark skin tones, in professional education resources.

We have created and will maintain this image collection that provides images for disease states that are a priority for darker skin patients. All images are reviewed by expert dermatologists to ensure accuracy and are meant for use in dermatology professional education material.

The AAD Clinical Image Collection Impact

Learn more about the mission behind this new resource, how our expert members helped make it happen, and how the collection improves patient care.

Please review the End User Agreement for the AAD Clinical Image Collection.

Image submissions

Our goal is to grow this collection into the largest trusted source for skin disease images shown on the full range of skin tones. We accept photo submissions through the Image Submission portal below. Images showing all skin tones are being accepted, but as images representing darker skin tones are lacking in professional education resources, we greatly appreciate images showing darker skin tones. Those who submit images will retain copyrights and will be credited when their images are used.

We are accepting identifiable images including facial photography, birthmarks, scars, and tattoos. Any images with identifiable marks need to include a signed patient consent form. Read the attestation and download a patient consent form.

Helpful tips and steps for uploading your images

Before uploading images, please verify that:

• You have your AAD username or email and password, so you can log in.

• Images being submitted are at least 1024x768 pixels in size.

• Image files are in the proper format. We prefer JPG files but will also accept PNG, GIF, and BMP file formats. Other file formats will be rejected.

• Images are clear and in focus, with backgrounds that are not distracting.

• For each image, you have the diagnosis, image credit, and patient skin color.

• File names should include numbers and/or letters only and must not include any patient information, such as name, initials, patient record number, or patient visit dates.

Steps

1. Use your AAD username or email and password to login to the submission page.

2. Click "Start" and acknowledge the attestation.

3. Complete all required fields, which are marked with a blue asterisk. These include the diagnosis, image credit, and patient skin color.

4. When you have completed the form, click the "Submit" button.

If you have a large quantity of images that you would like to submit at once, please contact aadcme@aad.org. You can also contact aadcme@aad.org with any questions or requests to remove images from the collection.

See the End User Agreement for the AAD Clinical Image Collection and the Attestation for Image Submission.

Additional Academy resources

All content solely developed by the American Academy of Dermatology

The American Academy of Dermatology gratefully acknowledges support for this program from our founding supporter, Pfizer, and collaborator, Skin of Color Society.

Thank you to our generous supporters