Acne Treatment For Black Skin

Acnes Effect On Dark Skin

First of all, darker skin tones may experience acne differently. As the skin experiences inflammation like a pimple, the body sends melanin to heal the wound. Melanin is the skins protective pigment. However, darker skin types release too much skin pigment, which leaves acne-prone skin with hyperpigmentation.

Why is it challenging for people with darker skin to have acne? They have more active melanocytes, which are melanin-producing cells, compared to people with lighter skin. And according to a study, people with higher skin pigmentation are more prone to PIH. Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, or PIH, causes deep discolorations on your skin.

Darker skin has more active fibroblasts as well, which means they produce more collagen. And yes, collagen may be useful for aging, but it also explains why darker skin is prone to keloid scarring. The experts of that study suggested finding methods that can both get rid of hyperpigmentation and acne scars.

How To Treat Acne Safely On Darker Skin Types

Many people are eager to start treating their acne scars as soon as they appear. However, anyone who is struggling with active acne breakouts should address this concern first. It is preferable to completely resolve any active acne prior to starting acne scar treatment since any in-office treatment designed to resolve acne scars would be useless against an active inflammatory acne lesion. Any active acne can potentially lead to the creation of a new acne scar, and that is what we want to avoid! There is a myriad of treatment options available for resolving active acne and Dr. Green will work with you to determine which acne treatment is the best for you and your skin.

57 year old Cosmelan for Melasma

How To Treat Post

Hyperpigmentation: The best treatment for post-acne dark spots and hyperpigmentation in dark skin is with a medical-grade skin lightening agent such as the Advanced Dark Spot remover.

Scars: Depressed acne scars do not respond to topical solutions that are best treated non-invasively by microneedle radiofrequency devices. This procedure produces microscopic columns of thermal injury in the epidermis and dermis, sparing the surrounding tissue and minimizing downtime and adverse effects. It is more safe and effective than fractional laser and is commonly used in Asian and darker skin types. Treatment of hypertrophic scarring and keloids typically intra-lesional injection of triamcinolone acetonide 20, 30, or 40 mg/mL every 4 weeks until the lesion is flat.

To find the right acne treatments for your unique skin, take the free skin assessment by .

Recomended Read

Recommended Reading: How Do You If You Have Skin Cancer

Consult A Dermatologist Specialized In Dark Skin

A dermatologist specialized in black skin can create a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs. He or she can also advise you on institute treatments for dark skin.

Acne affects women in adolescence as well as in adulthood. Treatments are available to help get rid of acne on black skin.

In order for acne not to worsen or leave dark spots on your skin, you need to take care of it as soon as it appears.

You can also avoid certain factors that can trigger or aggravate acne. Read the labels on your beauty products carefully. Opt for products marked oil-free, non-comedogenic and above all, avoid lightening products.

There are healthy, effective, non-lightening products specifically designed for dark skin. These products are respectful of your skin and meet its specific needs.

Chemical Peels For Acne Scars

A chemical peel is a treatment method used to increase the rate of skin cell turnover to produce a smooth and even skin texture and tone. Chemical peels can also be used as a means to achieve a reduction in the appearance of acne scars. A chemical peel treatment entails the topical application of a peeling agent to remove the topmost layer of the dermis, helping to slough off dead skin cells as well as other imperfections from the skin, and allowing new, healthy skin cells underneath to make their way to the surface. Chemical peels work to treat unwanted hyperpigmentation, eliminate active acne lesions, and get rid of various types of acne scars.

Chemical peels are safe to use as treatment in all skin tones and for all types of scars. There are some formulations which are particularly beneficial for specific types of acne scars. For example, for patients who are looking to treat the appearance of dark patches associated with post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, Dr. Green can combine a traditional chemical peel with various strength hydroquinone creams in order to brighten the skin. While undergoing chemical peel treatment, its important that patients use a daily sunscreen of SPF 50 or higher in order to prevent damage to healthy new skin. For patients with darker skin tones, Dr. Green typically recommends using gentler chemical peel formulations, V-Beam or eMatrix laser treatment, dermal fillers, or microneedling, to treat acne scars.

Read Also: How To Have Younger Looking Skin

Skincare For Individuals With Dark Skin And Acne Or Acne Scars

Your skincare routine is important, no matter what your skin type, skin tone, and what kind of skin concerns you want to address. Carefully curating your skincare routine is a great method for tackling a number of different skin issues as well as providing nourishing, anti-aging, and protective benefits to your skin. If you are someone with dark skin and are struggling with active acne breakouts or are working to reduce the appearance of your acne scars, there are some skincare steps and ingredients that can help you see the results you want without seeing any that you dont want. Discussed below are some of Dr. Greens favorite skincare solutions for acne and acne scars.

Vitamin C is a powerhouse of a skincare ingredient, working to boost collagen production within the skin as well as produce an overall brightening effect and provide antioxidant protection against harmful free radicals in the environment. Vitamin C is a phenomenal component to add to your skin care routine if you are someone who is struggling with acne scars that are either textural or pigmented. Dr. Green likes the Skinceuticals vitamin C serum, and she has also developed a Vita C serum from her MGSkinLabs, Inc. that boasts a high concentration of Vitamin C to provide maximum benefits.

What Is The Best Treatment For Pih And Post

PIH and post-acne darks spots but are better to prevent in the first place. If you already have them, they can be safely treated with an Advanced Dark Spot remover. Read more:

You May Like: What Is The Deadliest Skin Cancer

Is Laser Treatment Safe For Darker Skin Tones

As the technological advancements in laser treatments are progressively developed in the world of cosmetic dermatology, laser skin resurfacing treatments have become one of the most popular methods for the removal of acne scars. While non-invasive laser skin resurfacing treatments can provide phenomenal results for many patients with little downtime, it is important to consider the safety and efficacy of a laser in relation to the skin tone of a patient. Melanin, the component of skin responsible for skin pigment, can also absorb heat from the laser. This means that if a laser treatment is done on a patient with dark skin with too much energy or with settings too high, that the treatment can cause damage to the skin. The result can be hyperpigmentation, hypopigmentation, or even permanent scarring, meaning that skin of color can not be treated with the same types of lasers or the same settings as those that are used to treat skin that is white. This is why it is so important to select a provider with the expertise and experience to choose a laser and laser settings that will safely and effectively diminish acne scars without resulting in any damage. Dr. Green is a world-renowned expert in cosmetic dermatology and a provider that you can trust to deliver dramatically outstanding results without the danger of producing any unwanted side effects.

Acne Scars Vs Dark Spots

Yes, acne scars and dark spots, or PIH, are two completely different things. However, many patients go to their doctors, claiming a dark spot on their face is an acne scar.

Compared to dark spots, acne scars take a longer time to heal. Dark spots lay flat on the skins surface, but they lighten over time. It is also possible they completely vanish between three months to two years. Some steps hasten the lightening process of dark spots, which may appear due to mild to moderate acne breakouts, sun exposure, rashes, or intense irritation.

On the other hand, acne scarring results from damage to the skins deeper layers, and there are different kinds of acne scars. Their main characteristic would be a deep indentation on your skins surface. Wounded skin from acne triggers the skin to undergo a complex scarring process to close the area. Unfortunately, acne scars become more prominent as we age as the skin loses collagen. Thats why people turn to various acne scar treatments. However, do note the success of the treatment will depend on the kind of scar you have.

Don’t Miss: How Do Doctors Check For Skin Cancer

Products To Avoid For People With Dark Skin And Acne

Skincare Products: For people with dark, acne-prone skin, its important to discontinue toners, astringents, exfoliants, and rubbing alcohol, which often leads to skin dryness and irritation .

Cosmetics: While managing acne, it’s also important to avoid other cosmetics, including makeup and hair care products that can lead to clogged pores, such as hair gel, hair spray, and oil-based makeup

How Can You Determine Which Treatment Is Best For You

Determining the best acne treatment for you depends on the type of acne and its severity.

The best way to determine the right acne treatment plan is to see a dermatology provider, explains , MD, a board certified dermatologist and clinical associate professor of dermatology at the University of Alabama-Birmingham. There are many different types of acne, and treatment regimens vary from person to person.

A dermatologist will closely examine your skin to see which of the different types of lesions appear:

• Mildnoninflammatory acne includes whiteheads and blackheads.
• Moderateinflammatory acne includes papules and pustules.
• Severe inflammatory acne includes nodules and cysts.

Noninflammatory acne can usually be cleared up with OTC products containing active ingredients like salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide, or prescription-strength topical retinoids.

Inflammatory acne requires topical or oral prescriptions from a dermatologist.

Though papules and pustules may clear up with OTC products alone, inflammatory acne is more likely to lead to scarring, so seeing a dermatologist is the best way to clear acne and prevent acne scars.

The acne treatments on this list are based on:

• recommendations from board certified dermatologists
• ingredients proven to be effective in treating acne
• customer reviews

• Type of acne: noninflammatory acne
• Pros: pro-aging and exfoliating benefits
• Cons: can lead to slight peeling

However, tretinoin can be used to treat all types of acne.

• Ortho Tri-Cyclen

You May Like: What Does Skin Cancer Look Like From Sunburn

Don’t Delay Dealing With Breakouts

Make an appointment to see a dermatologist even if you have a mild acne breakout . This is the best way to prevent pigmentation problems. In fact, states the AAD, studies support the importance of treating acne when it’s just beginning. If a breakout is allowed to become moderate to severe, someone with dark skin is at an increased risk of winding up not only with dark spots or patches, but also a type of raised scar called a keloid.

What Is Different About Black Skin

People with black skin tend to experience what is referred to as inflammatory acne–the most common type of acne that comes with lesions that are red and sore. This is actually good news because inflammatory acne can be easier to treat than non-inflammatory acne, which includes lesions that are neither red nor sore, like whiteheads and stubborn blackheads.

Black people also tend to have fewer severe acne lesions , which are most prone to scarring. For this reason, black people tend to have less scarring overall compared to other ethnicities.8

Despite the fact that people of African descent tend to develop less severe lesions, when scarring does occur, it can come with a particularly vicious type of scar called a keloid scar that is raised above the skin instead of being indented in the skin. These keloid scars are most common on the chest and back and are extremely resistant to scar revision procedures. This is why effective acne prevention is paramount when it comes to black skin, particularly preventing body acne.

Next, while all non-Caucasian skin types tend to have a higher incidence of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, a medical term for marks left after acne goes away, from the research we have thus far, people of African descent have the greatest incidence of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.8

Picking at the skin can make these marks worse, so people with darker skin types are strongly urged to avoid picking.

You May Like: Best Razors For Men With Sensitive Skin

The Best Ingredients For Treating Hyperpigmentation In Black Skin

The safety and efficacy of hyperpigmentation and dark spot treatments depend on their active ingredients. Below are our dermatologist-approved ingredients for treating hyperpigmentation in black skin. These ingredients can be used individually but can be more effective and less irritating when combined with other anti-inflammatory ingredients.

Best Ingredients:

Less Effective Ingredients:

• Kojic acid: a by-product of rice fermentation, Kojic acid also works by blocking tyrosine from forming. However, Kojic acid does pose the risk of causing allergic or sensitizing reactions in a small number of people. Since it is also a significantly less effective agent than hydroquinone at treating hyperpigmentation, Dermatologists rarely use it.

• Azelaic Acid: Found in wheat, rye, and barley, in concentrations of 20%, it may affect dark spots. It is the least effective skin brightening agent and is rarely prescribed by dermatologists for Dark Spots’ primary treatment.

If You Need To See A Dermatologist

You might think all dermatologists should be knowledgeable about treating acne in black patients, but unfortunately, that is just not always the case. If you need to see a dermatologist, ask if the doctor has experience treating black patients and if he or she is familiar with the differences in treating acne in patients of different skin colors. If the doctor is upset by these questions or doesnt want to answer them, we suggest looking for a different doctor.

Also Check: Can You Die From Basal Cell Carcinoma

Can You Treat Hyperpigmentation With Diet

Diet has not been shown clinically to have a direct effect on existing hyperpigmentation. That said, dietary choices can influence the skins inflammation and indirectly help with post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. An anti-inflammatory diet can also help with active acne, one of the causes of PIH, and is an excellent supplement to the regular use of a medicated dark spot treatment.

Anti-Inflammatory Foods:

• Green Tea: Contains polyphenols, which have free radical-scavenging and anti-inflammatory effects. Green tea is also an excellent ingredient of anti-acne and dark spot remover. Leafy green vegetables Good source of vitamin C and phytonutrients that decrease sun-induced free radical damage to the skin cells.

• Berries: all types of berries are a great natural source of antioxidants, including vitamin C and E, that can protect the skin and help with skin healing processes.

• Wild-Caught Salmon: Other omega-3 rich fish are rich in Omega 3, a potent anti-inflammatory agent.

• Healthy Fats: including coconut oil, olive oil, avocados, almonds, flax seeds, walnuts, and other nuts/seeds Help keep skin hydrated, prevent dryness, and reduce inflammation.

To find the right acne treatments for your unique skin, take the free skin assessment by .

Recomended Read

Care In Our London Clinics

Skin colour is a key criteria, although sun exposure and health history matter. So does advice we can offer, including the importance of sun protection, during treatment and going forward.

Our staff work with patients by getting to know you and being supportive. Leading consultants and facilities are great to have, although help more if we share in engagement.

We also share understanding that acne which appears substantial, or relatively benign can bring life long consequences. Not least on quite dark, or black skin.

Providing forward looking dermatology for darker skin matters to us. If we can help in any way, or you would like to visit our London clinic, by all means get in touch.

For any assistance, or to book a consultation, call , or send an email via the Make An Appointment button below.

Section Navigation

Also Check: What Are The Abcdes Of Melanoma

How Does Laser Treatment Reduce Acne Breakouts

Many people rely on over-the-counter acne creams or prescription drugs to clear up their complexion, but these products can come with painful side effects and won’t always work. Plus, these treatments need to be continued for months to see results. More men and women are turning to laser solutions because they are a safer and more powerful alternative for reducing breakouts.

Laser acne treatment can be an effective solution for clearing up your complexion. The technology we use at Everest Medspa creates pulsating beams of energy that penetrate deep within your skin and destroy acne-causing bacteria. This process clears away blemishes, reduces inflammation, and even improves the appearance of damage from previous breakouts.

Benefits of laser acne treatment in Havertown, PA, include:

• Quick and easy sessions

• Little to no downtime involved

How To Treat Acne Scars On Dark Skin Tones

It is important that prior to treatment of acne scars, all active acne is resolved effectively. This will help prevent the development of new acne scars and provide the most optimal cosmetic results overall. This is especially important for patients with darker skin tones, who may be more prone to conditions such as post inflammatory hyperpigmentation and keloid scarring. There are some cosmetic procedures that are designed to minimize the appearance of acne scars by causing controlled trauma to the skin, stimulating the natural wound healing process of the skin and causing an increased amount of collagen production. These procedures can sometimes result in the formation of keloid scars in patients who have an increased propensity for keloids. If you have a history of keloid scars, it is essential that you discuss this with your dermatologist before undergoing any cosmetic procedures for treatment of acne scars. If acne scars are present on the skin in the form of keloid scars, Dr. Green is able to shrink the scar tissue by injecting them with a small amount of steroids.

Acne & dark spot treatment 5 months

You May Like: What Is High Grade Carcinoma