TREATING ACNE IN SKIN OF COLOR



Acne  vulgaris  is  an  inflammatory  disease  that  usually  affects  people  between  the  ages  of  twelve  to seventeen; affects men and woman equally, but  there are other differences. Men are more likely than woman to have more severe,  longer lasting forms of acne and 
seems  they  are  far  less  likely  to  visit  their dermatologist.  Although  acne  lesions  are  most 
common on  the face,  they can also occur on  the neck, chest,  back,  shoulders,  scalp,  upper  arms  and  legs. Acne  vulgaris  is  the  most  common  dermatologic disease, regardless of skin type,  its pathophysiology is the same in light and ethnic skin. 
Acne  lesions  range  in  severity  from  comedones  to nodules and cysts. The sebaceous follicle gets plugged with sebum and dead cells, tiny hairs and bacteria. Left 
untreated,  can  become  more  infected  causing inflammation and nodular cystic acne. 
An  eruption  of  the  follicle  can  occur when  the  patient picks or 'squeezes" their own skin, further exacerbating the  bacterial  component with  possible  staphlococci  or streptococci and other skin bacteria.


TREATING ACNE IN SKIN OF COLOR
When  tissue  suffers  injury,  it  rushes white blood  cells and  an  array  of  inflammatory molecules  to  repair  the tissue  and  fight  the  bacterial  infection.  Although  not completely  understood,  acne  in  skin  of  color  causes post  inflammatory  pigmentation  (PIH).  A  histological study  conducted  by  Rebat  Halder,  M.D.,  discovered that comedonal acne in blacks may be inflammatory. Caused  by  excessive  melanin  production,  this 
darkening  of  the  skin  is  a  normal  reaction when  dark skin  becomes  inflamed. While  PIH  tends  to  gradually fade over  time,  it  is  the number one complaint among dark-skinned  patients  with  acne  vulgaris.  It  can  also diminish  their  self-esteem  and  affect  the  persons' 
ability to function confidently in society. 
Taking a careful patient history to identify exacerbating factors, along with early aggressive treatment based on a  combination  approach,  are  important  for  the successful management of acne in patients of color. The role of cosmetic grooming aids in the development of  acne-like  lesions  and  folliculitis  are  a  prominent issue for skin of color. A recent survey of acne patients 
with skin of color  found  that 46.2% use a pomade  (oil or  ointment  for  hair)  to  improve  the  style  or manageability.  Acne  then  develops  on  the  forehead and places where  the pomade comes  into contact with the skin. Pomade acne usually consists of comedones, 
with a few papules and pustules. 
Treatment  options  include  the  use  of  topical  skin-lightening  agents  such  as  hydroquinone,  kojic  and lactic  acids,  and  some  other  natural  ingredients  are showing  promise  in  skin  lightening  such  as  Arbutin, Paper Mulberry root extract, and Glabridin. 
Sunscreen  may  help.  Although  there  are  no  clinical studies  to  confirm  this,  some  dermatologists  find  that repeated sun exposure  leads  to  longer  treatment  time and  that daily use of sunscreen  (SPF of 15 or higher) helps resolve PIH more quickly.  Isotretinoin  is most  powerful  oral medication  that  can shrink  the  sebaceous  follicle.  This  can be  followed by antibiotics such as erythromycin or  tetracycline and  its derivatives. Acne  treatments  designed  to  dry  the  skin should be used with caution. Topical acne medications that  have  a  drying  effect  on  the  skin  are  benzoyl peroxide and  topical retinoids. These medications may 
irritate  the  skin  and  prolong  post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation in some cases, and should be used in combination with a topical antibiotic in the short term. 
Benzoyl  peroxide  can  also  decolorize  skin.  Some clinical  studies  show  that  retinoids,  safely  and effectively  treat acne in skin of color without  the drying effects  when  used  properly.  Topical  retinoids,  which are  only  available  by  prescription,  include  adapalene, 
tazarotene and tretinoin. 
Heavy  moisturizers  relieve  the  dry  or  “ashy  skin” appearance  that  is  common  among  dark-skinned people,  however  making  sure  the  product  does  not make  the acne worse should be a priority. Moisturizer formulations vary, and  finding  the  right product can be guided by the esthetician or dermatologist.   
Keloid  formation  and/or  scarring  occurs  in  a  person with  skin  of  color.  There  is  a greater  tendency  for  a keloid  (large  raised scar  that spreads beyond  the size of  the  original wound)  to  form.  While  uncommon  in acne  patients  with  skin  of  color,  keloids  have  been seen  on  the  chest,  back  and  jaw  line.  Early  and aggressive  acne  treatment  is  needed  to  prevent 
scarring because keloids, unfortunately,  tend  to  return even when treated. 
Treatment  for keloids are provided by a physician and depending  on  the  location,  treatment  may  require injections  of  triamcinolone  acetonide,  pressure dressings,  silicone  gels, surgery,  laser  treatment  or radiation therapy. 

The key to successful treatment of acne in skin of color is to control the outbreaks and find a treatment protocol that effectively minimizes acne formation and PIH.
References: 
1.  Special  Considerations.  Exacerbating  factors mandate acne  treatments  for ethnic skin. Callender, V Dermatology Times November 2008 
2.  Acne  Vulgaris  in  Skin  of  Color.  Taylor.  SC  et  al American  Academy  of  Dermatology  2002:46:S98–S105
CE TEST 
1. Acne vulgaris is a cutaneous: 
a. immune deficiency disease 
b. autoimmune disease 
c. infectious disease 
d. inflammatory disease 

2. Which of the following is not a contributing factor of acne in ethnic skin: 
a. oil-based creams 
b. dehydration 
c. pomades 
d. thick makeup 

3. It has been reported that a number of ethnic patients who have acne are more concerned about: 
a. post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) 
b. erythematous patches 
c. allergic contact dermatitis 
d. pustules and nodules 

4. The best acne treatment option for ethnic skin is a: 
a. combination approach 
b. wait and see approach 
c. single approach 
d. light therapy approach 
 5. Which of the following are least effective in treating acne: 
a. gels 
b. ointments 
c. creams 
d. pledgets 

6. Keloids and hypertrophic scarring can be treated with: 
a. isotretinoin 
b. hydroquinone 
c. triamcinolone acetonide 
d. cetyl alchohol 

7. Skin pigmentation is determined by the number of: 
a. cykotines 
b. melanocytes 
c. corneocytes 
d. lipocytes 

8. Product irritation in an ethnic skin is likely to result in: 
a. peeling and flaking 
b. hyperpigmentation 
c. erythema and scaling  
d. cutaneous infections 
 9. Hyroquinone is prescribed to patients to reduce the incidence of: 
a. erythema 
b. p. acnes 
c. pigmentation 
d. staphlocccocci  

10. Topical lightening agents do not include: 
a. hydroquinone 
b. kojic acid 
c. glycolic acid 
d. arbutin 

11. Review of home care should include a discussion of: 
a. nutrition 
b. birth control  
c. cosmetic practices 
d. vitamins & minerals 

12. Keloids are a side effect of: 
a. non-inflammatory acne 
b. hyperpigmentation 
c. hypopigmentation 
d. inflammatory cysts 

13. Regardless of ethnicity, the most common form of acne is: 
a. acne cosmetica 
b. acne vulgaris 
c. acne conglobata 
d. acne rosacea 14. Which oral medication shrinks the sebaceous 
follicle: 
a. minocyline 
b. isotretinoin 
c. erythromycin 
d. tetracycline 

15. Which of the following is not a retinoid: 
a. tazarotene 
b. tretinoin 
c. adapalene 
d. clindamycin 

16. Melanocytes are located in the: 
a. stratum corneum 
b. dermis 
c. stratum germinativum 
d. subcutaneous layer 

17. Which of the following is not a treatment for acne vulgaris? 
a. clindamycin 
b. benzoyl peroxide 
c. retinoids 
d. minerals 
18. Pressure dressing, injections, silicone gels are use 
to treat? 
a. acne 
b. rosacea 
c. keloids 
d. comedones

TREATING ACNE IN SKIN OF COLOR 
CE Activity provided by PCI Journal

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