Skin Conditions in Dark Skin
Skin Conditions in Dark Skin
Skin comes in all colors, from the palest ivory to the darkest brown and nearly every shade in between.
Skin problems, however, are generally color-blind, meaning that most skin conditions can occur in every race and in all skin types.
Recognizing and Preventing Rosacea
Lee Anderson developed the skin condition rosacea when she was in her 40s. "My daughter used to tease me that I had 'slap-face,' because that's what it looked like all the time -- that I'd been slapped. It was very embarrassing," says Anderson, now 54. The condition grew worse, and she eventually found herself turning down social invitations. "It ate away at my self-confidence."Anderson was in plenty of company. An estimated 14 million Americans have rosacea, which is a fairly common skin condition...
Read the Recognizing and Preventing Rosacea article > >
That said, there are certain skin conditions that seem to affect dark skin more frequently or with more severity. Further, many treatments used for common skin conditions can sometimes lead to even more problems when used on people of color.
But before you can learn how to protect your face and body, it's important to know a little something about the biology of dark skin.
The color of all skin stems from cells called melanocytes. They produce melanosomes, packets containing the natural chemical melanin.
Studies show that all people have roughly the same number of melanocytes in skin tissue, regardless of color. What differs is both the size and distribution of the melanosomes. The more and larger they are, the darker skin will be.
Since the role of melanin in the skin is to absorb and scatter energy from ultraviolet (UV) light, having a dark complexion reduces the risk of sun damage, particularly as it pertains to skin aging and skin cancer formation.
At the same time, dark skin is more likely to develop pigmentation problems. Even minor skin injuries, such as bug bites, can cause an change in skin pigment, allowing dark spots called hyperpigmentation to occur.
When not properly administered, any cosmetic treatment that injures the skin -- such as laser surgery, dermabrasion (removal of dead skin cells), wrinkle-filling injections like Restylane, or Botox injections -- has the potential to cause pigmentation problems.
In hyperpigmentation, the skin either produces too much pigment or the pigment is deposited deep within the skin, resulting in dark spots. When color is lost, it's called hypopigmentation, which results in light-colored patches. All people with dark skin are at risk for both skin conditions.
Among the most common types of pigment problems in dark skin is post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. This occurs as a result of skin injury, such as a cut, scrape, or burn. It can also occur in conjunction with eczema or acne.
Skin problems, however, are generally color-blind, meaning that most skin conditions can occur in every race and in all skin types.
Recommended Related to Skin Problems & Treatments
Recognizing and Preventing Rosacea
Lee Anderson developed the skin condition rosacea when she was in her 40s. "My daughter used to tease me that I had 'slap-face,' because that's what it looked like all the time -- that I'd been slapped. It was very embarrassing," says Anderson, now 54. The condition grew worse, and she eventually found herself turning down social invitations. "It ate away at my self-confidence."Anderson was in plenty of company. An estimated 14 million Americans have rosacea, which is a fairly common skin condition...
Read the Recognizing and Preventing Rosacea article > >
That said, there are certain skin conditions that seem to affect dark skin more frequently or with more severity. Further, many treatments used for common skin conditions can sometimes lead to even more problems when used on people of color.
But before you can learn how to protect your face and body, it's important to know a little something about the biology of dark skin.
Understanding Dark Skin
The color of all skin stems from cells called melanocytes. They produce melanosomes, packets containing the natural chemical melanin.
Studies show that all people have roughly the same number of melanocytes in skin tissue, regardless of color. What differs is both the size and distribution of the melanosomes. The more and larger they are, the darker skin will be.
Since the role of melanin in the skin is to absorb and scatter energy from ultraviolet (UV) light, having a dark complexion reduces the risk of sun damage, particularly as it pertains to skin aging and skin cancer formation.
At the same time, dark skin is more likely to develop pigmentation problems. Even minor skin injuries, such as bug bites, can cause an change in skin pigment, allowing dark spots called hyperpigmentation to occur.
When not properly administered, any cosmetic treatment that injures the skin -- such as laser surgery, dermabrasion (removal of dead skin cells), wrinkle-filling injections like Restylane, or Botox injections -- has the potential to cause pigmentation problems.
Pigmentation Changes in Dark Skin
In hyperpigmentation, the skin either produces too much pigment or the pigment is deposited deep within the skin, resulting in dark spots. When color is lost, it's called hypopigmentation, which results in light-colored patches. All people with dark skin are at risk for both skin conditions.
Among the most common types of pigment problems in dark skin is post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. This occurs as a result of skin injury, such as a cut, scrape, or burn. It can also occur in conjunction with eczema or acne.
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