Acne treatment for black skin requires special expertise. Dr. Dina Strachan is a board-certified dermatologist in the New York, NY, area who is focused on ensuring patients have access to the quality skincare they need to regardless of skin type. Patients of color have unique, specialized needs that can be addressed by working with an experienced professional with the right skills and expertise. If you are in need of acne treatment that works for your skin, it’s time to engage with a professional that has specific experience in this area of medicine.

How does acne affect black skin differently?

It is critical that patients with skin of color know how acne can affect their skin in a different way than other ethnicities. Acne poses particular challenges in those with darker skin.

This includes the following concerns:

• Patients of color are at a higher risk of developing post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, or PIH, which is the development of dark spots directly on the skin’s surface after acne has occurred. This is because the skin releases extra melanin, which makes acne much more noticeable on black skin. This is one reason why it is so important to treat acne as soon and as effectively as possible.
• Patients of color may think they are dealing with acne when in fact, they are dealing with another condition that mimics the appearance of acne. This includes ingrown hairs or rashes, such as eczema, which can be incorrectly diagnosed.
• Patients of color often don’t realize they have acne.  Even mild acne can produce hyperpigmentation which lasts much longer than the pimples.  Patients focus on treating the dark marks, instead of the acne, and constantly get new marks.

So, considering the above, when addressing acne treatment on black skin patients may benefit more from certain medications and procedures  that will also address specific problems such as hyperpigmentation.

How do I find out more about treating my acne?

If you are a person of color and are dealing with acne, you may need the help of a board-certified dermatologist to get the results you desire without the risk of complications, infections, or acne scarring. Dr. Dina Strachan and her team at Aglow Dermatology in New York, NY, can assist! Call her office at 212-627-1004 to request a consultation visit and initial evaluation to decide if certain acne treatment options need to be explored for noticeable results!