Product Design for Dermatology

Design Challenge: Develop a prototype that helps manage the symptoms of Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) to empower patients to live a better quality of life.

Project Details

Organization - M.A in Design focused on Health, The University of Texas at Austin

Stakeholders - Dr. Pena and Dr. Martinez at Ascension Dell Dermatology Clinic - Austin, TX

Skills Applied - Interview and Diary Study Facilitation, Usability Testing, Stakeholder Engagement, Iterative Prototyping, Co-Design with Fabricator, Marketing Strategy, and Graphic Design

***This project has been censored to protect intellectual property (IP) rights. Please reach out to me directly regarding the status of this project - mariama7866@gmail.com

Tools- Adobe Illustrator, Canva Pro, Miro

Timeline - 14 weeks (Spring 2025)

Team - Mariam Ahmed, Nuha Arefin, Fumiko Kokura, Rodger Rivera, Leslie Scherger

Discovery

Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS)….

is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that causes painful bumps, abscesses, and tunnels under the skin.

But it's not just the lesions—it's the constant, unpredictable leakage. Thick, foul-smelling fluid can drain from open wounds for days, soaking through clothes, bedding, and even bandages. The pain is intense. Many patients describe it as trying to live a normal life with an open wound that never heals.

HS affects multiple areas of the body - shown here in red, each with unique challenges, especially around managing drainage. Individuals during the interview phase shared how difficult it can be to reach affected areas, keep bandages in place, and avoid additional irritation.

Research Methods

During our time interviewing dermatology clinicians, we learned about various dressings used by HS patients to manage leakage and pain - the dressings shown above are all wound care products, not specially designed for HS.

We conducted video diary studies via Vidlet with people diagnosed with HS to share their current management routine. We learned that people used cost-friendly and accessible products such as menstrual pads, paper towels, or strong adhesive bandages for their drainage.

Current Market

Fabric Research

Fabric Review - We knew fabric choice was key to comfort, so we tested options like jersey spandex, spandex nylon, and mesh. Patients with HS evaluated each sample, highlighting softness, absorption, and security as top priorities. Based on their feedback, we combined jersey spandex knit for inner softness and leakage absorption, with reinforced spandex nylon on the outside for compression and stability—ensuring dressings stay in place and patients feel more confident throughout the day.

Current options for managing HS are limited and polarized. Low-cost solutions like menstrual pads or gauze aren't designed for HS, often lack comfort, and don’t stay in place. On the other end, specialized products like HidraWear are expensive and difficult to access. This gap is worsened by a lack of awareness—even insurance companies struggle to recognize HS-specific needs.