“The skin does not lie—it tells the story of the mind,” Dr. Kofi Ansah Brifo, Member of the International Society of Dermatology (ISD), stated during the bustling dermatology sessions at the recently concluded International Congress of Dermatology (ICD) 2025 in Rome, Italy.
“As a proud representative of Ghana and a skin enthusiast, I witnessed cutting-edge discussions, case reviews, and research presentations all confirming a deeply rooted reality we often overlook here at home—stress is a silent flame that fuels many chronic skin conditions.
“From psoriasis to atopic eczema, acne to seborrhoeic dermatitis, hand eczema, chronic urticaria to lichen planus, our skin responds, sometimes violently, to the tremors of emotional unrest,” Dr. Brifo revealed to the Modern Ghana News on his return from Rome.
Dr. Brifo, who is also the Resident Dermatologist at Osu Rabito Clinic, told the Modern Ghana News Network on his return from the XIV International Congress of Dermatologists 2025 in Rome, Italy.
The ICD 2025, which was on the general theme “The Roads of Dermatology”, was used as a platform to explore the future of dermatology by bringing together physicians, researchers, and industry professionals to improve skin health.
The conference, held from June 18th to 21st, highlighted the various areas and pathways within dermatology, with the congress serving as a central hub where these different roads converged.
Dr. Brifo described stress as a skin aggravator, emphasising that from Rome, Italy, to Accra, Ghana, there is the need for a shift in mindset.
He revealed that at ICD 2025, global experts advocated for a biopsychosocial approach to dermatology.
“We must do the same in Ghana. Chronic skin diseases are no longer just dermatological—they are psychodermatological. Addressing them effectively means treating both the skin and the stress that fuels it.
“This is where innovation meets our tradition. Ghana has a rich pharmacopoeia of medicinal herbs, but products like Herblot offer a standardised, safe, and science-backed solution that aligns with modern dermatological practice,” said Dr. Brifo, who is an international speaker on psychodermatology.
Dr. Brifo, who is an advocate for holistic dermatology care and founder of the Skin Messiah Foundation, added that in dermatology, treating the skin is not enough.
“We must treat the person inside the skin. The next decade of healthcare in Ghana must prioritise integrative dermatology, one that recognises the central role of stress in skin disease and offers both emotional and medical relief.
“As we reflect on the insights from ICD 2025, let us ask: Are we merely soothing the surface, or are we healing from within?” he asked.
Dr. Brifo emphasised that the time has come for Ghana to make skin health a national priority—not just through creams, but through care, compassion, and comprehensive stress relief.
