In general, skin is skin, no matter what color it is. Take care of it by washing your face with gentle cleanser twice a day, keeping it hydrated and never forgetting to apply sunscreen. However, African-American skin does need special care in some areas, such as avoiding hyper pigmentation.
Common Issues
Hyper pigmentation and keloids are two common skin issues faced by African-Americans. Hyper pigmentation occurs after a minor trauma to the skin, such as a cut, scrape or severe acne, causing an area of the skin to darken. The darkened skin area could take months to years to fade; however, topical bleaching agents, chemical peels or microdermabrasion can speed up this process.
Keloids occur when a scar from a cut or wound spreads beyond the size of the original wound. They are a common issue on the earlobes, back, neck or chest and vary in size and shape. Keloids are especially common after surgery or an injury, but can also form after inflammation caused by acne. Treatment includes cortisone injections, surgery, laser treatment or radiation therapy.
Using Sunscreen
African-Americans sometimes are lulled into a false sense of security when it comes to sunscreen, thinking that their dark skin protects them from the sun's rays. African-Americans need to cover up just as much as everyone else, though.
Apply a nickel-size amount of sunscreen to your face and two ounces---two shot glasses, in other words---to your body about 20 to 30 minutes before you head outside. Reapply every 90 minutes if you are spending the day in the sun. Your scalp is not immune either, even if you have a thick head of hair. Mist your head with a spray sunscreen or wear a hat.
When picking out sunscreen, look for a broad-spectrum product that blocks both UVA and UVB rays.
Treating Acne
Hyper pigmentation is the top complaint among African-Americans with acne vulgaris, according to AcneNet. These spots can be treated with skin lightening products. Some are available over the counter, but you will need to see your dermatologist for a stronger version.
Sunscreen might also help fade the spots, according to AcneNet, or SkinCarePhysicians.com. Sun exposure can help the dark spots resist fading, so daily use of sunscreen SPF 30 or higher can help the pigmentation fade more quickly.
African-Americans should also use caution when using acne treatments designed to dry the skin. These medications can irritate the skin and prolong hyper pigmentation. Commonly used ingredients such as benzoyl peroxide can decolorize skin. Instead choose topical retinoids, available by prescription, which can be used to treat acne without the drying effects.
Hair Products
Nearly half of African-Americans use pomade to style their hair, according to AcneNet, and out of those people, 70 percent developed forehead acne. This type of acne is known as acne cosmetica. The pomade clog the pores on the forehead, scalp and temples, so acne develops. Pomade can also lead to a bacterial infection called folliculitis. This causes pus bumps and redness to develop around the hair, leading to hair loss and spread of infection. If this occurs, stop using pomade and see a doctor.
Skin Cancer
No one is immune from the threat of skin cancer. It might be less common in African-Americans, but when it does occur, it's usually diagnosed at an advanced stage. This means it is less likely to be cured.
Squamous cell cancer is the most common type found in African-Americans. This type of cancer is usually curable, but it could be more serious in skin of color than in Caucasians. Melanoma, typically the deadliest form of cancer, is much less common in African-Americans. However, when it does occur, it is very deadly. Melanoma is usually found under the nails, on the palms of the hand and on the soles of the feet in African-Americans.
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