Cheri Frey, M.D. is an associate professor of dermatology at the Howard University College of Medicine, where she also serves as the residency program director, director of cosmetic dermatology, and medical director of the Beacon of Hope Clinical Trials program.
Frey earned her medical degree from the Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine. She completed her internal medicine internship and dermatology residency at the University of Florida. Frey served as chief resident and received the Outstanding Resident Teacher Award in her final year.
Frey has published in peer-reviewed journals and authored several textbook chapters. Frey is an expert in cosmeceuticals and is frequently invited to lecture both nationally and internationally. Frey obtained a graduate certificate from the Georgetown University Biomedical Graduate Education Clinical and Translational Research program. Her research interests include Alopecia, Acne, Cutaneous Lupus, and Dyspigmentation. She is a Principal Investigator and the recipient of several research grants, including a Dermatology Foundation Research Award.
Frey has a passion for teaching and mentoring. She is a past chair of the Dermatology section of the National Medical Association (NMA), where she co-founded the Diversity in Clinical Research Clinical Investigator Training program with former Skin of Color Society president Valerie Harvey, M.D. She also leads the NMA Derm-Olay partnership that now offers an innovative research grant. Frey serves on the board of directors for the American Acne and Rosacea Society and holds leadership roles in organizations such as AAD and ASDS.
Clinical and Translational Research
Georgetown University
2025
Dermatology
University of Florida, UF Health
2015
Medicine
Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine
2011
Specialty Areas: Alopecia, Acne, Cosmetics, Cutaneous Lupus, Hyperpigmentation, and Vitiligo
Principal Investigator: Pritchett, E., "A multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, Phase II platform study to assess the efficacy and safety of moderate to severe atopic dermatitis," Sponsored by Novartis, Private, $528,935.82. (January 13, 2024 - October 30, 2029).
Principal Investigator: Okoye, G., "A randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, placebo-controlled, multicenter, Phase 3 study assessing the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of 2 doses of remibrutinib over a 68-week treatment period in adult patients with moderate to severe hidradenitis suppurativa," Sponsored by Novartis, Private, $452,038.08. (August 9, 2024 - August 1, 2029).
Principal Investigator: "Safety and efficacy of clascoterone 1% cream to reduce acne relapse in adult females following isotretion," Sponsored by Sun Pharma, Private, $104,213.00. (January 1, 2026 - December 31, 2028).
Principal Investigator: "Spatial evaluation of immune-stromal crosstalk in discoid lupus erythematosus in skin of color," Sponsored by Dermatology Foundation, Private, $20,000.00. (July 1, 2024 - June 30, 2024).
Co-Principal Investigator: "This study compares gene expression in skin of color DLE patients to predominantly white cohorts and utilizes Digital Spatial Profiling (DSP) to examine protein expression. It aims to uncover disparities in DLE outcomes for skin of color individuals and identify factors contributing to scarring and pigmentation changes. The results may inform innovative treatments, enhancing the quality of life for DLE patients.," Sponsored by Georgetown-Howard Universities Center for Clinical and Translational Science, Howard University, $39,958.88. (June 10, 2022 - March 31, 2023).
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Skin aging is driven by intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Epigenetic alterations are one primary hallmark of aging and powerful biomarkers of biological skin age. To investigate epigenetic skin aging mechanisms and their regulation as a skin longevity approach across diverse ethnicities and phototypes, we assessed epidermal methylomes from white, African, and Asian donors.
Real World Use of Topical Tranexamic Acid Serum in Patients With Hyperpigmentation
Hyperpigmentation and pigmentary alterations are common dermatologic concerns that remain difficult to treat. The modernized topical tranexamic acid serum (TNXA-SHOT) is a novel, patent-pending serum that contains 5% tranexamic acid, 1% amino acid, and 3% endophytol, which have been shown to mediate various biological pathways of the mechanism of action involved in the pigment production process. These three active ingredients aim to fight key hyperpigmentation triggers: inflammation, hormonal imbalance, and environmental pollution. The following real-world case series aims to demonstrate the use of TNXA-serum under real-world conditions in a split-face, integrated skincare regimen with a procedure. Eight expert dermatologists shared their experience pairing the new serum with pigment-targeting procedures (eg, non-ablative laser, microneedling, and salicylic acid peel) to improve patient pigmentary outcomes. The real-world cases demonstrate that application of TNXA-serum to the face after in-office procedures may accelerate improvement in dyspigmentation while offering added benefits of improved skin texture and radiance. These real-world cases serve as a valuable guide for patients and dermatologists to help form targeted, effective, and safe pigment-targeting integrated skincare plans.
Treatment for central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia-Delphi consensus recommendations
Background
There is no established standard of care for treating central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia (CCCA), and treatment approaches vary widely.
Objective
To develop consensus statements regarding the use of various pharmacological therapies in treating adults with CCCA.
Methods
We invited 27 dermatologists with expertise in hair and scalp disorders to participate in a 3-round modified Delphi study between January and March 2023. Statements met strong consensus if 75% of respondents agreed or disagreed. Statements met moderate consensus if 55% or more but less than 75% agreed or disagreed.
Dyspigmentation, specifically hyperpigmentation or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), disproportionately affects those with skin of color. Studies show that dyschromias, including PIH, are one of the most common presenting complaints of darker-skinned racial ethnic groups when visiting a dermatologist.
The Role of JAK Inhibitors in the Treatment of Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus: A Review
Cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE), a manifestation of the chronic autoimmune disease lupus erythematosus (LE), showcases diverse clinical, immunologic, and histologic attributes. CLE can be further categorized into subtypes -- acute (ACLE), subacute (SCLE), or chronic (CCLE) -- with each class characterized by distinct features, including the degree of cutaneous involvement, lesion duration, and associated laboratory findings. While conventional treatments, including photoprotective strategies, topical corticosteroids, and antimalarial agents, have proven effective for some, recent immunomodulatory therapies offer alternative avenues. Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors, in particular, have gained attention due to their demonstrated efficacy in the management of various autoimmune disorders. Dysregulation of the JAK/signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) signaling pathway has been implicated in the pathogenesis of CLE, further underscoring the promise of JAK inhibitors as an adjunctive therapy alongside systemic immunosuppression. This systematic review aims to discuss the diagnosis and categorization of CLE and its subtypes, elucidate the intricacies of intracellular signaling within the JAK/STAT pathway, and discuss the current applications of JAK inhibitors in the treatment of autoimmune disease. Supported by cases, randomized control trials, basic science articles, and other reviews in the literature, this review provides evidence for the use of the JAK/STAT pathway as a therapeutic target. Nevertheless, the role of JAK inhibitors and their therapeutic properties warrant further scrutiny through rigorous investigation and comprehensive randomized control trials to ascertain safety and efficacy.
Exploring the Skin Microbiome in Central Centrifugal Cicatricial Alopecia
Central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia (CCCA) is the most common primary form of scarring alopecia, with a prevalence of 2% to 5% in women of African ancestry.1,2 Shifts in predominant skin bacterial species may contribute.
In this descriptive study, the scalp microbiome composition of women who self-reported as Black and of African descent with CCCA were compared with matched healthy controls without CCCA.
Challenging the Tools Used to Measure Cutaneous Lupus Severity in Patients of All Skin Types
The development of tools that measure severity of inflammatory dermatologic diseases has lagged substantially behind those measuring disease extent in many fields of medicine. Over the years, severity scoring systems for acne, psoriasis, and atopic dermatitis have been developed as pharmaceutical trial requirements have been mandated by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Cutaneous lupus erythematosus severity scoring was rudimentary until the development of the Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus Disease Area and Severity Index (CLASI), a tool used to objectively measure the extent of skin involvement for patients with cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE). The CLASI score consists of 2 parts: CLASI-A, which measures disease activity, and CLASI-D, which evaluates disease damage. Following the FDA’s push for disease-specific global assessment scales, the Cutaneous Lupus Activity-Investigator Global Assessment (CLA-IGA) was developed. In this issue of JAMA Dermatology, Xie et al evaluate how the erythema component of the CLASI-A scoring affects patient eligibility for cutaneous lupus trials.
Frey, C., Science of Skin Summit, "Peptides and GLP-1," Austin, TX, United States. (September 6, 2025).
Frey, C., Science of Skin Summit, "Selecting Skincare for the Acne and Rosacea Patients," Austin, TX, United States. (September 5, 2025).Frey, C., Innovation Academy, "The Use of Energy Based Devices in the Treatment of Acne Vulgaris," American Academy of Dermatology, Chicago, IL, United States. (July 12, 2025).
Frey, C., Facial Aesthetic Conference and Exhibition, "Retinoids in Dermatology," London, England. (June 27, 2025).
Frey, C., Clinical Congress of Georgia, "Special Considerations for Acne in Skin of Color," Georgia Dermatologic Society, Ameila Island, FL, United States. (May 30, 2025).
Frey, C., Real World for Dermatology Residents, "Updates in Skin of Color and Cosmeceuticals," Dermsquared, Las Vegas, NV, United States. (May 17, 2025).
Frey, C., Symposium for Cosmetic Advances and Laser Education, "Cosmeceuticals 101," SCALE, Nashville, TN, United States. (May 15, 2025).
Frey, C., Skincare Education Symposium, "Retinoids and Peptides," The Dermatology Authority, Virtual. (May 13, 2025).
Khanna, R. (Presenter), Frey, C. (Senior Author/PI), ASLMS Annual Meeting, "Safety and Tolerability of Topical PDGF+ in Skin of Color Patients Treated with 2910 nm Fiber Laser for Skin Rejuvenation," American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery, Orlando, FL, United States. (April 2025).
Frey, C., Board Immersion Dermatology Review Course, "Disorders of Hypo and Hyperpigmentation," Dermsquared, Virtual. (April 27, 2025).
Sahadeo, P. (Presenter), Frey, C. (Senior Author), HUCM Student Research symposium, "Alternative and Adjunctive Therapies for Hidradenitis Suppurativa: A Systematic Review," Washington, DC, United States. (March 2025).
Bui, H. (Presenter), Frey, C. (Senior Author/PI), Aesthetic & Anti-aging Medicine World Congress, "Before or After? How Sunscreen Application Can Impact Broadband Coverage in Skin of Color," Monaco. (March 2025).
Frey, C. (Senior Author), Sahadeo, P. (Presenter), Skin of Color Society Annual Scientific Symposium, "Exploring Alternative Therapeutics for Vitiligo: A Systematic Review," Skin of Color Society, Orlando, United States. (March 2025).
Frey, C., HUH Dermatology Grand Rounds, "Principles of Cosmeceuticals," HUH Department of Dermatology, Washington, DC, United States. (March 13, 2025).
Frey, C., American Academy of Dermatology Annual Meeting, "Cosmetic Dermatology Updates," AAD, Orlando, FL, United States. (March 11, 2025).
Frey, C., American Academy of Dermatology Annual Meeting, "Special Consideration for Acne in Skin of Color," AAD, Orlando, FL, United States. (March 10, 2025).
Bhayana, M. (Presenter), Frey, C. (Senior Author/PI), Winter Clinical Dermatology Conference, "Improvement of Keratosis Pilaris in Skin of Color with a 650ms 1064nm Nd:YAG laser," Kohala, HI, United States. (February 2025).
Frey, C., UAMS Dermatology Grand rounds, "Cosmetic Dermatology in Skin of Color," University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. (February 26, 2025).
Frey, C., Winter Clinical Dermatology Conference, "Cosmeceutical Updates," Dermsquared, Kohala, HI, United States. (February 18, 2025).
From face masks and body sprays to creams and serums, many tweens right now love skin care products and are flocking to high-end stores to buy into the trend. News4’s Jummy Olabanji spoke with two tweens and their mom about their experience. Plus, a dermatologist shares her advice.
Dr. Cheri Frey On Disparities in Hidradenitis Suppurativa
Dr. Cheri Frey On Disparities in Hidradenitis Suppurativa
