Dr. Pearl Grimes is the Founder and Director of the Vitiligo and Pigmentation Institute of Southern California. She is a pioneer and a leading international authority on vitiligo and pigmentary disorders. As a clinician, researcher, thought leader and highly sought-after speaker, Dr. Grimes lectures globally on disorders of pigmentation. Patients travel from all over the world to benefit from her expertise and her comprehensive and compassionate approach in treating these disorders.

Dr. Grimes is a Clinical Professor of Dermatology at the David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California – Los Angeles. She has authored more than 100 professional articles, abstracts and two textbooks, including a seminal 36-chapter medical textbook for dermatologists and plastic surgeons entitled, “Aesthetics and Cosmetic Surgery for Darker Skin Types.” She is also co-editor of an Atlas of Chemical Peels.

She is an active member of multiple professional organizations including: The American Academy of Dermatology, The American Society of Dermatologic Surgery, the American Dermatological Association, Society of Investigative Dermatology, the Dermatology Foundation, International Federation of Pigment Cell Societies, International Peeling Society, & the Women’s Dermatologic Society. Dr. Grimes is the current President of the Women’s Dermatologic Society for 2018-2019. She is deeply committed to the mission, core values, and growth of the WDS. She has served on multiple WDS committees, the Board of Directors, and as Vice President.

Dr. Grimes holds numerous achievements in dermatology. She has been recognized by her peers with the prestigious Dermatology Foundation “Practitioner of the Year” award and the Women’s Dermatologic Society’s “Mentor of the Year” award in 2011. She received the American Society of Dermatologic Surgery President’s Award in 2006. In 2016, she was recognized with an American Skin Association Research Achievement Award. She was also awarded the prestigious 2017 Arnold P. Gold Foundation Humanism in Medicine Award and the 2017 Everett C. Fox, MD Memorial Award and Lectureship Award. In addition, she was the recipient of the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Skin Association for 2017. She has been included in LA Magazine’s Super Doctors list and the Best Doctors of America list for many years.

She is the Founder of the non-profit organization, the Coalition for At-Risk Restoring Youth (CARRY). Founded in 2006, CARRY is dedicated to improving the lives of at-risk and foster care youth through a variety of innovative programs including pro bono dermatology clinics and other innovative programs that enhance self-esteem, self-worth, self-sufficiency, and long term success. The organization serves more than 400 youth annually in the Los Angeles area.