4 Skin Treatments For African-American Skin

Your skin reflects the health of the entire body.  Good skin is always appealing to the eyes.  Keeping your skin in excellent condition should be a top priority.  A simple daily routine and spa treatments when needed will keep your skin looking healthy all year long.

Everyone’s skin is not the same. Therefore, skin treatments vary from person to person.  Sensitive skin treatments differ from normal skin treatments, and oily skin treatments differ from dry skin treatments. African-American skin has special needs and is treated differently from Caucasian skin.

Today we look at skin treatments that are very well-suited for African-American skin.  These are general suggestions for common problems faced by African-Americans.  Always have your skin evaluated before trying any skin treatment to be sure it is right for your skin.

Obagi Skincare

Hyperpigmentation, or dark spots, is a common concern for African-American skin. This is caused by the overproduction of melanin in the skin, which causes dark spots or patches on the skin.  Hyperpigmentation causes the skin to be an uneven color.  Obagi offers a home skincare program that significantly helps to decrease visible  hyperpigmentation on the skin

Obagi Medical Products is a leading dermatologist-dispensed skincare brand in the United States.  These products contain a prescription formulation and are only dispensed through a physician or medical office.  Obagi products provide a simple and highly effective remedy for hyperpigmentation that can be used at home.

Retinoids

Another good treatment for African-American skin is the use of retinoids. Retinoids such as Tazorac, Differin and Retin-A are good choices for those who have multiple skin issues.  Retinoids not only assist with hyperpigmentation, they also help clear acne and reduce minor wrinkles.  Although retinoids can improve the skin, people with sensitive skin often experience minor skin irritation when first using the products.  Consult with a skincare professional to assist you in choosing which products are best for you.

Laser Facials

Laser facials are excellent treatments for African-American skin. A laser facial uses a 1065 nanometer wavelength, which is safe for darker skin tones.  These facials help stimulate collagen growth and  reduce fine lines and wrinkles.  In addition, the laser breaks up melanin in areas that have dark spots and helps to eliminate hyperpigmentation in the skin.  Finally, laser facials can also minimize large pores and diminish the appearance  of recent scars.   Laser facials are great for “complexion blending” – evening out skin discolorations and giving the skin a smooth, even tone and texture.

Chemical Peels

Light chemical peels are another excellent treatment for African- American skin. Peels improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, sun damage, skin discoloration, mild acne scars, and some forms of acne.  During a chemical peel, a mild acid is applied to the skin.  It is left on the skin for for 1-10 minutes, neutralized and then wiped off.  In the next few days, the top layers of skin will slough off revealing new, smooth skin.   Chemical peels are available in different strengths from shallow (mild flaking) to deep (dramatic peeling).  However, deep chemical peels are not recommended for African-American skin. A consultation and evaluation with an expert technician will determine the proper chemical peel for your skin.

Conclusion

It is important to choose the correct treatment for your skin type. You  can keep your skin looking healthy and glowing  when you choose the proper treatment.  Let one of our expert skin technicians evaluate your skin and recommend a program today.  To set up an appointment with an expert skin technician at BodyLase® call 919-954-2288 (Raleigh)  or 919-851-8989 (Cary).