Starling D. Haynes, MD

Dr. Starling D. Haynes is a board-certified dermatologist and Assistant Professor of Dermatology at Yale School of Medicine. She specializes in medical dermatology with a focus on hair and scalp disorders, particularly scarring alopecias, textured hair disorders, and dermatologic conditions affecting patients with skin of color. Her clinical interests include central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia (CCCA), alopecia areata, inflammatory hair disorders, and general dermatology.

Dr. Haynes earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Neuroscience from The Ohio State University before obtaining her medical degree from The Ohio State University College of Medicine. She completed an internship in Internal Medicine at University of Rochester Medical Center followed by dermatology residency training at Wayne State University, where she served as Chief Resident. She currently serves as Director of Collaborative Excellence and Pathways and residency HEQIPS Track Coordinator within Yale Dermatology.

Her academic and research interests center on advancing equity and innovation in dermatology, with particular emphasis on hair disorders and skin of color dermatology. Dr. Haynes has contributed to research exploring hair health disparities, textured hair care practices, dermatology education, and inflammatory hair disorders.

Dr. Haynes is also deeply committed to mentorship, leadership, and community engagement. She founded and led multiple educational and outreach initiatives focused on increasing access to dermatologic care and supporting underrepresented students pursuing medicine. She currently directs Yale’s Skin of Color Working Group and helped establish dermatology free clinic initiatives through Yale HAVEN.