African American Skin Care

Keep it Simple!

Contrary to popular belief, there is very little about African American skin that can be safely assumed which is why African American skin care is a combination of general skin care, individual skin care and a few extras that may be specific to olive skin, brown skin or darker skin tones. While African American skin care is based (for the most part) on the “individual” due to numerous factors ranging from diet and environment to different shades, hues and hormones, there are several minor issues that may affect some African American skin care regimens.

Whether its acne or eczema, dry skin or oily skin, psoriasis or vitiligo—people from all different backgrounds can get these conditions. Some African-American skin types may encounter everything from small moles and ingrown hairs (men) to keloids and skin discoloration. These conditions can affect African-American skin care regimens.

Ingrown hairs or flesh moles may affect some African Americans more than others. In African American men with curved hair shafts, ingrown hairs, commonly referred to as razor bumps, may appear after a close shave. This condition can be easily resolved by shaving with safety razors, shaving less often, avoiding stretching the skin during shaving and washing the face with a warm wash cloth before shaving. This helps to loosen the hairs. If the condition is severe, which is rare, electrolysis is an option as well as hair removal chemicals or growing a beard.

Flesh moles are brown or black raised dark spots, resembling moles or flat warts, which usually appear on the cheeks. Everyone has at least a few moles and they may appear by the age of 20 as freckles at first. Freckles can develop into flesh moles and they can become can become darker or larger as a result or pregnancy or hormones (birth control pills) as well as exposure to sunlight. Flesh moles tend to run in families and they are not cancerous, but for cosmetic reasons some may opt to have them surgically removed. To prevent darkening or increases in size, it’s best to wear sunscreen every day and choose the type of birth control pill wisely.