About

Victoria Holloway Barbosa is an Associate Professor of Medicine in the Section of Dermatology at the University of Chicago, where she also serves as the Director of the Hair Loss Program. She holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from Harvard University, a medical degree cum laude from Yale University School of Medicine, and completed her internship in internal medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital. Her dermatology residency was completed at Yale, and she further trained through the Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholars Program at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. Additionally, she holds a master’s degree in Public Health from Johns Hopkins and an M.B.A. from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management. Dr. Barbosa is an internationally recognized expert in hair and scalp disorders and in treating dermatological conditions in skin of color. She has a background as the owner of Millennium Park Dermatology and has held a position as Vice President in Research and Development at L’Oréal USA, where she managed the L’Oréal Institute for Ethnic Hair and Skin Research. She is actively involved in professional organizations, serving as the Immediate Past President of the Chicago Dermatological Society, the Secretary-Treasurer of the Illinois Dermatological Society, and a Scientific Advisor for the Cicatricial Alopecia Research Foundation. Her research includes clinical studies on scalp dermatitis and skin appendage disorders, and she has contributed to guidelines for the management of primary cutaneous melanoma.

Research topics

• Dermatology
• Medicine
• Environmental health
• Family medicine
• Nursing
• Surgery
• Internal medicine

Selected publications

• Scalp microbiome differences in subjects with self-reported hair loss: A quantitative approach to microbial dysbiosis

  bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) · 2025-03-12

  preprintOpen access

  Abstract Objective Hair loss is a common issue that affects a large proportion of the population, leading to lower self-confidence and quality of life. Microbial dysbiosis of the scalp has been shown to be associated with several different disorders leading to hair loss. Though several “microbiome friendly” cosmetic treatments are currently on the market, there is no agreement on the best technique for assessing dysbiosis leading to a lack of scientific rigor for quantifying the effective treatments. To help address this, the association between self-perceived hair loss and the scalp microbiome in an African-American cohort (n=36) was investigated. Methods Using a self-controlled design, swabs were collected from both “sparse” and “normal” scalp sites. The scalp microbiome was characterized via 16S rRNA gene sequencing and a dysbiosis score was calculated based on the proportion of all taxa within the samples. Further, we identified the taxa that contributed most to abnormal or dysbiotic hair sites using a machine learning random forest classifier and a negative binomial mixed effects model. Results The dysbiosis index is sensitive to participants self-assessment of hair loss and interindividual variation. We found a core set of operational taxonomic units (OTUs) assigned to 7 genera that significantly contributed to increased scalp dysbiosis. Conclusion This study demonstrates that self-perceived hair loss is associated with significant and measurable alterations in the scalp microbiome using, making the reported dysbiosis index a practical tool that may be used to assess microbiome changes following cosmetic or medical interventions for hair loss and other microbiome-associated disorders.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Building Meaningful Relationships for Equity in the Publishing Ecosystem: Empowering Latin American Research Through Engagement

  Ecology and Evolution · 2025-09-01

  editorialOpen access

  Equity in scientific publishing requires removing financial barriers, structural transformation, and inclusive practices that empower researchers from historically marginalized regions. Here, we reflect on recent Wiley's initiatives supporting Brazilian researchers to integrate into the international publishing ecosystem, including discounted rates for open-access article processing charges, the Wiley-CAPES transformative agreement, and in-country capacity-building events. While some challenges persist, such as linguistic barriers and funding access, we underscore the importance of meaningful local engagement and the coordinated actions among publishers and funding agencies that are supporting a more equitable publishing ecosystem.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• A selenium disulfide-based shampoo is beneficial for dandruff management and rebalancing the scalp microbiome of subjects of any hair type

  Skin Appendage Disorders · 2025-03-11 · 1 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  Introduction Dandruff is a scalp condition occurring in all hair types (de la Mettrie scale I to VIII). Selenium disulfide (SeS2) is beneficial in dandruff and rebalances the scalp microbiome. Data regarding subjects with curly hair are missing. This study assessed the clinical and scalp microbiome benefits of SeS2 shampoo in subjects of any hair type with moderate-to-severe dandruff. Methods A 6-week study in adults of any hair type assessed total dandruff, SD severity score (SSSD), erythema, hair greasiness, quality of life (QoL), discomfort, local tolerance, subject perception and changes in the scalp microbiota. SeS2 shampoo was applied twice every week. Results 93 subjects (women: 83%) were recruited. 69% were of European and 31% of African origin. SSSD and total dandruff scores were the highest in hair type IV-V, erythema scores in hair type I-III, and the itching score in hair type VI-VIII, . After 4 weeks, signs and subject assessments had significantly (all p<0.05) decreased. SeS2 shampoo significantly (p<0.001) rebalanced the scalp microbiome. All subjects highly appreciated SeS2 which shampoo was well tolerated. Conclusion SeS2 shampoo is beneficial in moderate to severe dandruff, and rebalances the scalp microbiota in all hair types. SeS2 shampoo was highly appreciated by the subjects.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• An Automatic AI‐Based Algorithm That Grades the Scalp Surface Exfoliating Process From Video Imaging. Application to Dandruff Severity and Its Validation on Subjects of Different Ages and Ethnicities

  Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology · 2025-04-01

  articleOpen access

  OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the technical assets of a new imaging device that, wifi linked to a AI based algorithm, automatically grades in vivo the exfoliating process of the skin, taking dandruff as model. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The hand portable device comprises a camera that possibly uses three illuminating conditions (white LED diffused lamp, cross-polarized white light and UVA rays). The learning phase of the algorithm was built on 3600 images of the vertex area of 234 subjects of different ages and three ethnicities with and without dandruff. This learning phase allowed 15 experts and dermatologists to score regarding a 6-point atlas of dandruff severities, taken as reference. In a second validation phase, 460 images from 192 subjects of different ages and ethnic background/phototypes, were automatically analyzed by the AI based device, allowing to calculate the correlation between expert's assessments and the gradings provided by the device, and, as second indicator, to compute the Mean Average Error (MAE) between both variables. RESULTS: = 0.952; p < 0.001) with an overall MAE of 0.16 grading units, although presenting some differences according to ethnic background and phototypes (0.12-0.24). CONCLUSION: This new imaging device coupled with AI-based analysis allows a valid, rapid, and easy determination of the scalp exfoliating process and may represent a complementary help in the diagnosis of dermatologists in some other scalp disorders. Its versatility, easy handling, and immediate AI-based analysis suggest that it may be applied to other cosmetic areas (skincare, makeup, haircare, etc.).

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• 53490 Impact of hormonal variations on women’s self-perception of scalp and hair problems: results of a worldwide epidemiological study

  Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology · 2024-09-01 · 1 citations

  articleSenior author
  PublisherDOI

• A comprehensive literature review and an international expert consensus on the management of scalp seborrheic dermatitis in adults

  European Journal of Dermatology · 2024-06-01 · 14 citations

  review

  Seborrheic Dermatitis of the scalp (SSD) is a chronic and relapsing inflammatory skin condition. Current SSD treatments mainly consist of topical applications of anti-fungals and anti-inflammatory agents. to review information about SSD and to provide dermatologists with practical recommendations for managing adult SSD. Material and methods: Between September and December 2023, an international group of experts in dermatology and hair and scalp disorders met to discuss published data about SD, SSD, dandruff, and management options. A total of 131 manuscripts available from PubMed were analysed, discussed and used for the present consensus. Each author was asked to complete a table listing currently used treatments to treat SSD according to the literature and to their own experience. The authors confirmed their use and regimen and commented on local treatment exceptions. They then agreed on prescription practices and proposed a general treatment approach. Currently, approved therapies to manage moderate and severe forms of SSD do not exist and there is a need for adapted and approved medications that treat efficiently and safely the disease. We propose a treatment algorithm that allows for the treatment of all severity grades of SSD. This algorithm may be completed with local treatment specifications. Despite the lack of approved therapies to manage moderate forms of SSD, a treatment algorithm is proposed and may help prescribers to manage SSD more efficiently.

  PublisherDOI

• 52711 Benefit of a Selenium Disulfide-based shampoo in subjects of any phototype and hair type presenting with dandruff

  Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology · 2024-09-01

  articleSenior author
  PublisherDOI

• A Comparative Randomized Clinical Study Assessing the Efficacy of a 1% Selenium Disulfide-Based Shampoo versus 2% Ketoconazole Shampoo in Subjects with Moderate to Severe Scalp Seborrheic Dermatitis

  Skin Appendage Disorders · 2024-06-18 · 10 citations

  articleOpen access1st authorCorresponding

  Introduction: Scalp seborrheic dermatitis (SSD) is a chronic, relapsing, and inflammatory condition impacting quality of life (QoL). This study evaluated the efficacy and impact on QoL of a 1% selenium disulphide-containing shampoo (SeS&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt; shampoo) compared to a 2% ketoconazole shampoo. Methods: This multi-centric, double-blinded, randomized 4-week study was conducted in 64 adult subjects with moderate to severe SSD (SSD severity score (SSSD) &gt; 6). Shampoo was applied on the scalp and hair, according to product indications. Clinical examinations at baseline and on Day (D) 3, 7, 14, and 28 included the assessment of SSSD, total scales score (TSS, sum of adherent, and non-adherent scales), erythema, irritation, seborrhea, and itching. Self-evaluations included QoL and hair quality assessment (scales and greasiness). Results: The SSSD improved in both groups as early as D3, after one application of shampoo. This significant (p &lt; 0.001) improvement was −71% for SeS&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt; and −69% for ketoconazole at D28. The decrease of the TSS was significant (p &lt; 0.001) at D28 in both groups (−75% SeS&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt; and −68% for ketoconazole). The SSSD severity of all subjects decreased to mild at D28. Signs and symptoms had significantly (p &lt; 0.001) improved in both groups after 28 days. QoL improved earlier with SeS&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt; than with ketoconazole shampoo. The cosmetic acceptability of SeS&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt; shampoo was higher than that of ketoconazole shampoo. Both shampoos were very well tolerated. Conclusion: SeS&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt; shampoo is a reliable and well-tolerated alternative care to ketoconazole shampoo in patients with moderate to severe scalp seborrheic dermatitis.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Clinical and imaging findings in language-predominant dementia syndromes: a case series

  Arquivos de Neuro-Psiquiatria · 2024-01-01

  articleOpen access

  Background: Primary progressive aphasia (PPA) is a rare neurodegenerative disorder, with estimated prevalence of 3-4 per 100.000 population, characterized by predominant language impairment, alongside prejudice to daily activities and without equivalent disturbance on behavior and episodic memory during symptoms emerge. While PPA is the prototype of a language-predominant dementia syndrome, aphasia could be the presenting symptom of other conditions such as Corticobasal Syndrome, defined as a combination of cortical and subcortical signs usually affecting the parietal lobes asymmetrically. Objective: Describe five PPA cases of patients followed at a cognitive neurology reference center in Recife. Methods: Case series with thorough revision of health-records, imaging and laboratory tests of all patients classified with language-predominant dementia syndromes between 2019-2023 in a tertiary center. Results: Five female patients were described, with ages from 56 to 65 years (average 60.5 years). Language impairment was the first isolated manifestation observed in 80% of cases. Associated symptoms were difficulty in lexical access during speech (n=3), paraphasia (n=3), echolalia (n=2), writing deficits (n=2), apraxia of speech (n=1), dysexecutive (n=1) and stuttering (n=1). Two patients (40%) referred preference for low nutritional foods and one patient (20%) evolved with mutism. Atypical parkinsonism is present in 40% of the cases, raising the possibility of PPA secondary to corticobasal syndrome. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a more pronounced volumetric reduction in the parietal (60% of cases) and frontotemporal (40% of cases) lobes, with a predominance on the left. Metabolic positron-emission tomography (FDG-PET) showed glycolytic hypometabolism compatible with metabolic pattern of frontotemporal dementia (n=3), corticobasal degeneration (n=1), and Alzheimer’s disease (n=1). The hypothesized variants were semantic (n=3), nonfluent (n=1), and logopenic (n=1). Multidisciplinary intervention with speech therapy had great adherence in 80% of cases, and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) were prescribed for symptoms in 80% of cases. Conclusion: PPA is a diagnosis to be considered in middle adulthood and elderly patients with language impairment. The differential diagnosis among other cognitive disorders is subtle and may request imaging. Owing to PPA’s insidious nature, the outcome is progressive cognitive decline with language predominance in all cases, associated with movement disorders in 40% and with mutual predominance of behavior disorders in another 40% of cases. These patients’ identification allows the early institution of a multidisciplinary therapeutic plan, which aims to retard the progression of dementia and to improve patients’ and caregivers’ quality of life.

  PublisherDOI

• 52833 A 1% selenium disulfide-based shampoo is as beneficial as 2% ketoconazole shampoo to manage moderate to severe scalp seborrheic dermatitis: a comparative randomized clinical trial

  Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology · 2024-09-01

  articleOpen access
  PublisherOA PDFDOI

Frequent coauthors

• Amy McMichael

  Wake Forest University

  7 shared

• Sergio Vañó‐Galván

  Universidad de Alcalá

  5 shared

• Valerie Callender

  4 shared

• Pascal Reygagne

  Hôpital Saint-Louis

  4 shared

• Maria Edméa Lopes de Oliveira

  4 shared

• Paradi Mirmirani

  Kaiser Permanente Vallejo Medical Center

  4 shared

• Beatriz Sant’Anna

  Institut Européen De La Qualité Totale

  4 shared

• Lynne J. Goldberg

  Boston University

  4 shared

Education

• B.A.

  Harvard University

• M.D.

  Yale University School of Medicine

• Other

  Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management

• Other

  Johns Hopkins School of Hygiene and Public Health

Awards & honors

• Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholars Program at Johns Hopki…
• Alpha Omega Alpha