About

Dr. Sewon Kang is the Noxell Professor and Chairman of the Department of Dermatology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and the Dermatologist-in-Chief of Johns Hopkins Hospital. He is also the founder and co-Director of the Cutaneous Translational Research Program (CTReP) at Hopkins. His research focus has been in the areas of skin pharmacology and photomedicine. Dr. Kang has received numerous awards and grants, including the Dermatology Foundation's Career Development Award, and has been recognized by organizations such as the American Dermatological Association, the National Psoriasis Foundation, and the National Institutes of Health. He is an author of over 240 publications and book chapters, and serves as the Editor-in-Chief of the 9th edition of Fitzpatrick's Dermatology textbook. His clinical expertise includes photomedicine, skin cancer (melanoma), skin aging, and dermatology for ethnic skin. Dr. Kang completed dermatology residency and fellowship at Harvard Medical School/Massachusetts General Hospital, and is a graduate with honors from Williams College and the University of Michigan Medical School.

Research topics

• Medicine
• Dermatology
• Immunology

Selected publications

• Oral Glucoraphanin and Curcumin Supplements Modulate Key Cytoprotective Enzymes in the Skin of Healthy Human Subjects: A Randomized Trial

  Metabolites · 2025-05-29 · 3 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  Background/Objectives: Oxidative stress plays a pivotal role in skin aging and carcinogenesis. Phytochemicals such as sulforaphane (SF, from broccoli sprouts or seeds) or curcumin (CUR, from turmeric) can be highly protective against this stress. They each induce a suite of cytoprotective and antioxidant enzymes that are coordinately transcribed via the Keap1-Nrf2-ARE pathway in mammals, such as the prototypical cytoprotective enzyme NAD(P)H dehydrogenase 1 (NQO1). Methods: Eighteen healthy human volunteers (9 males, 9 females, aged 18–69. were randomized to receive daily glucoraphanin (GR), which is converted to SF upon ingestion (450 mg; 1 mmol), CUR (1000 mg; 2.7 mmol), or both (450 mg GR + 1000 mg CUR), as oral supplements. After 8 days of a diet low in both compounds, blood and urine were collected for compliance and biomarker measurements. Randomized spots on the buttock’s skin were exposed to 2 x M.E.D. of UVB, and punch biopsies were obtained 1 and 3 days later for biomarker and histological measurement. Erythema was measured with a chromameter daily for 3 consecutive days following UVB. The process was repeated after receiving oral supplements, both with and without UVB exposure. Results: Compared to baseline, each treatment (n = 6 for each) induced NQO1 mRNA levels in skin biopsies: 3.1-fold with GR, 3.3-fold with CUR, and 3.6-fold with the combination of GR and CUR. Across all treatments (n = 18), expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and TNF-α were reduced, as were IL-6, IL-17, STING, and CYR61, though less robustly. Modulation of these biomarkers persisted, but was less pronounced, in biopsies taken following UV exposure. The presence of SF and its metabolites in the skin post-treatment was confirmed by examining 6 of 12 subjects who ingested GR. Supplement effects on erythema following UV exposure were not significant, and no significant changes were measured in the same biomarkers in blood cells (PBMC), or by counting dyskeratotic keratinocytes. Supplements were well tolerated and compliance was excellent. Conclusions: Oral GR and CUR are well tolerated and have for the first time been shown to result in increased expression of cytoprotective genes and reduced expression of inflammatory cytokine genes in human skin in vivo. This mechanism-based clinical study suggests that an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cytoprotective benefit from these oral supplements is delivered to the skin in humans.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Pilot exploratory study to determine effect of fractionated CO2 laser to stimulate hair regrowth

  Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology · 2025-04-08

  articleOpen access
  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• LB1153 Topical RE.D flavonoid, an extract of camellia japonica seeds, improves clinical features of photoaging without local skin irritation

  Journal of Investigative Dermatology · 2025-07-21

  articleSenior author
  PublisherDOI

• Plastic associated endocrine disruptors reduce Nicastrin protein and potentiate inflammation in hidradenitis suppurativa skin disease

  Nature Communications · 2025-11-28 · 1 citations

  articleOpen access

  Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) is an inflammatory skin disorder with limited treatments and unclear etiology. While monogenic HS is linked to gamma secretase mutations, particularly in the NCSTN subunit, the pathogenesis of the more common sporadic form remains uncertain, though associated with risk factors such as diets high in ultra-processed foods. Consistent with the clinical overlap between sporadic and monogenic HS, we find loss of NCSTN protein in sporadic HS fibroblasts. We hypothesize the rising incidence of sporadic HS and its hormonal associations implicate endocrine-disrupting chemicals, especially plastic-associated EDCs (p-EDs) common in UPFs. We detect elevated p-ED adducts in HS skin, persisting in ex vivo cultured fibroblasts. At nanomolar concentrations, p-EDs inhibits NCSTN and primes fibroblasts for inflammation, mimicking NCSTN knockdown. These findings suggest p-ED exposure contributes to HS pathogenesis, highlighting the need to address environmental exposures in HS and other gamma secretase-related diseases.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• 0599 Plastic associated endocrine disruptors reduce nicastrin protein and potentiate inflammation in hidradenitis suppurativa

  Journal of Investigative Dermatology · 2025-07-21

  articleOpen access
  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Differences in clinical features and risk factors for striae distensae in Black and White women

  Archives of Dermatological Research · 2025-03-18 · 2 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  Striae distensae (SD) are a common condition, which can appear differently across skin colors and for which effective treatments remain limited. SD have several risk factors, including pregnancy, obesity, growth spurts, and several pathologic conditions. Few studies have examined whether there are skin color differences regarding SD in their clinical presentation, risk factors, and associated comorbidities. To evaluate the clinical features, risk factors, and associated comorbidities of SD among Black and White women. This was a two-part study involving a telephone questionnaire followed by an in-person clinical assessment with standardized photographs. One hundred forty-three women (75 Black, 68 White) completed the survey, and 66 women (33 Black, 33 White) completed the in-person clinical assessment. Black and White women in the study were found to be similar in age, SD duration, parity, pregnancy-associated weight gain, and family history. Black women, on average, had a greater number of SD than White women (118 versus 76, p = 0.01). Striae were typically white and skin-colored among Black women, but white and violaceous among White women (p = 0.02). Black women were more likely to have involvement of the lower legs (p = 0.04), axilla (p = 0.05), and buttocks (p = 0.002) than White women. Compared to Black women, urinary incontinence was more commonly reported among White women, though this did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.07). There was a significant association between smoking and SD in White women (p = 0.003), but not in Black women. Additionally, Black women were more likely to use creams to diminish the appearance of their striae. While the etiology, prevalence, and risk factors of SD may be similar between Black and White women, there may be important skin color differences in SD clinical features and medical comorbidities. Larger studies are needed to further characterize the relationship between SD and medical comorbidities such as urinary incontinence and pelvic floor dysfunction. The study of this relationship may advance understanding of SD pathogenesis and provide pathways for targeted therapies. More studies are needed to determine the role of SD evaluation as a screening tool to help predict the risk of the development of pelvic floor dysfunction.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• The use of ectopic volar fibroblasts to modify skin identity

  Science · 2024-09-05 · 16 citations

  articleOpen access

  Skin identity is controlled by intrinsic features of the epidermis and dermis and their interactions. Modifying skin identity has clinical potential, such as the conversion of residual limb and stump (nonvolar) skin of amputees to pressure-responsive palmoplantar (volar) skin to enhance prosthesis use and minimize skin breakdown. Greater keratin 9 ( KRT9 ) expression, higher epidermal thickness, keratinocyte cytoplasmic size, collagen length, and elastin are markers of volar skin and likely contribute to volar skin resiliency. Given fibroblasts’ capacity to modify keratinocyte differentiation, we hypothesized that volar fibroblasts influence these features. Bioprinted skin constructs confirmed the capacity of volar fibroblasts to induce volar keratinocyte features. A clinical trial of healthy volunteers demonstrated that injecting volar fibroblasts into nonvolar skin increased volar features that lasted up to 5 months, highlighting a potential cellular therapy.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Integrating skin color assessments into clinical practice and research: A review of current approaches

  Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology · 2024-02-09 · 37 citations

  review
  PublisherDOI

• Retinoids in the treatment of photoageing: A histological study of topical retinoid efficacy in black skin

  Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology · 2024-04-29 · 7 citations

  articleOpen access

  BACKGROUND: Photoageing describes complex cutaneous changes that occur due to chronic exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR). The 'gold standard' for the treatment of photoaged white skin is all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA); however, cosmetic retinol (ROL) has also proven efficacious. Recent work has identified that black skin is susceptible to photoageing, characterized by disintegration of fibrillin-rich microfibrils (FRMs) at the dermal-epidermal junction (DEJ). However, the impact of topical retinoids for repair of black skin has not been well investigated. OBJECTIVES: To determine the potential of retinoids to repair photoaged black skin. METHODS: An exploratory intervention study was performed using an in vivo, short-term patch test protocol. Healthy but photoaged black volunteers (>45 years) were recruited to the study, and participant extensor forearms were occluded with either 0.025% ATRA (n = 6; 4-day application due to irritancy) or ROL (12-day treatment protocol for a cosmetic) at concentrations of 0.3% (n = 6) or 1% (n = 6). Punch biopsies from occluded but untreated control sites and retinoid-treated sites were processed for histological analyses of epidermal characteristics, melanin distribution and dermal remodelling. RESULTS: Treatment with ATRA and ROL induced significant acanthosis (all p < 0.001) accompanied by a significant increase in keratinocyte proliferation (Ki67; all p < 0.01), dispersal of epidermal melanin and restoration of the FRMs at the DEJ (all p < 0.01), compared to untreated control. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms that topical ATRA has utility for the repair of photoaged black skin and that ROL induces comparable effects on epidermal and dermal remodelling, albeit over a longer timeframe. The effects of topical retinoids on black photoaged skin are similar to those reported for white photoaged skin and suggest conserved biology in relation to repair of UVR-induced damage. Further investigation of topical retinoid efficacy in daily use is warranted for black skin.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Case Analysis of Applications about the Walking Environment for Older Adults

  Journal of Digital Contents Society · 2024-10-31

  articleOpen access
  PublisherDOI

Recent grants

• NIH Grant K24AR002159

  NIH · $616k · 2006

• NIH Grant R01AR048077

  NIH · $1.9M · 2007

Frequent coauthors

• Anna L. Chien

  Johns Hopkins Medicine

  172 shared

• John J. Voorhees

  University of Michigan–Ann Arbor

  95 shared

• Shawn G. Kwatra

  University of Maryland, Baltimore

  93 shared

• Barbara M. Rainer

  Medical University of Graz

  81 shared

• Gary J. Fisher

  University of Warwick

  79 shared

• Diane Thiboutot

  Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center

  70 shared

• Luis A. Garza

  67 shared

• Alan R. Shalita

  IPB University

  46 shared

Education

• B.A.

  Williams College

• M.D.

  Harvard Medical School/Massachusetts General Hospital

Awards & honors

• Diversity Recognition Award, Johns Hopkins University (2011)
• Presidential citation, American Academy of Dermatology (2011…
• Galderma Acne Research Award (2006)
• TAMS Award, University of Michigan Medical School (2005)
• Achievement in Clinical Research Award, University of Michig…