African American skin faces many challenges. We all desire beautiful skin especially  since it’s the first things that’s often noticed by others. But, it’s important to understand that each person has unique skin, which means that unique treatment plans are required in order to maintain healthy, even skin tones. Ethnic skin brings unique challenges, because there are certain skin conditions which are more common with dark skin that don’t often occur on lighter skin tones.

Hyperpigmentation

The technical term is “Post Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH),” but it is often referred to as hyperpigmentation. This skin condition is a concern for many people with ethnic skin, because it causes your skin to have dark spots.

Your skin contains a thin layer that protects the surface underneath, and when that layer is damaged, melanin is produced to aid in healing and increased melanin production often results in darker pigmentation. People with darker skin may experience hyperpigmentation from a small pimple or a minor scratch.

When your skin is irritated, the area becomes slightly inflamed as your body works to heal your skin. That inflammation increases melanin production, which in turn causes dark patches that may appear after the area has healed.

Hyperpigmentation is a concern, especially if there are a lot of scratches or pimples on your face.  Each of those areas may darken in color and cause your entire skin tone to be uneven with darker and lighter patches. If the patches are left untreated, they may remain dark for many years. But, with prompt attention, it is possible to minimize the appearance of dark patches and to also help them fade more quickly if they have already appeared.

Hypopigmentation

In some cases, hypopigmentation may occur, which is the opposite of hyperpigmentation. Certain types of skin trauma such as burned skin may result in a lighter skin tone on the area that was damaged. Similar to hyperpigmentation, it results in patchy skin tones since there are darker and lighter areas on the skin. The appearance of hypopigmentation may also be minimized with the correct treatment plan.

Uneven Skin Tones

Other health concerns may be the cause of uneven skin tones on African American skin. One example: if a rash occurs and your skin becomes irritated, then it may result in increased melanin which will cause darker and lighter spots on various parts of your skin. Other causes of uneven skin tone include hormonal imbalance, medication, ingrown hairs, bug bites or sun damage.  Yes, your skin can get damaged by the sun.

Keep in mind that the darker skin patches are usually harmless, so there is usually no health concern that needs to be treated when the dark patch appears. But, dark spots, dark patches and uneven skin tones can cause psychological and emotional stress if you’re the person experiencing them. Also, it doesn’t hurt to consult with a physician or dermatologist if a serious health concern is suspected.

If It’s Not One Thing, It’s Another …

I call these the “Big 3”.  Hyperpigmentation, hypopigmentation and uneven skin tones.  Think about it!  As people of color, most of you are challenged with one or two of the Big 3 at some point in your life.

A good skin care regimen and proper nutrition will help with the basics but there are natural treatments that will help you with these skin challenges as well.  I’ll talk about them next week.

Until then, As Always …

Dedicated To Your Beauty,

Juliette Samuel
Esthetician/Author/Publisher
Nyraju Skin Care