Black Skin Irregular Pigmentation

African or Black Skin - Irregular Pigmentation

I. Introduction:

Black skin (people from Africa, Native Australians, African-Americans, Caribaeans, Other Islands) is darker than northern European skin because of the increased amount of melanin in the skin. Melanin is the pigment in the skin and protects the skin from sunlight. This keeps black people looking younger than white skinned people. The melanin pigment in the skin protects the skin from sunlight and slows down the aging process. As black people age, their skin often becomes irregularly pigmented. This shows up as dark patches on the skin. Irregular pigmentation can also be caused by inflammation. If an area of the skin becomes inflamed or red from an insect bite or from an acne pimple, a brown area can be left behind as the redness or inflammation subsides.

Black Skin Irregular Pigmentation Melasma

Black skin before with irregular pigmentation and dark spots. After photo shows lightening of hyperpigmentation with the Obagi Nu-derm System.

II. Causes of Irregular Pigmentation:

Sun exposure
Pregnancy
Birth control pills and hormone treatment with estrogen
Inflammation from insect bites, acne, trauma, or other causes

III. Treatment of Irregular Pigmentation:

Do not use skin lighteners or bleaching creams containing steroids. These can cause permanent skin damage including permanent redness, thinning and blood vessel streaks. Also avoid skin lighteners or bleaching creams containing mercury as this is a poison.
Tretinoin applied daily for many months will treat irregular pigmentation.
Daily use of sunscreen will help prevent irregular pigmentation form occuring.
Jessner's solution applied once a week for several months to the dark areas will lighten hyperpigmentation.
Products which contain hydroquinone will lighten dark areas.
The Obagi Nu-derm System treats hyperpigmentation very well.

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