A new article published in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology discussed that colored skin requires specific dermatological attention and patient care strategies due to unique physiological conditions and clinical manifestations regarding skin of color. The authors reported that although people with higher Fitzpatrick phototypes (III and above) have fewer visible signs of aging such as lines and wrinkles, they are more susceptible to certain pigment-related conditions including uneven skin tone, ashy skin and blotchiness, post-inflammatory hyper- and hypo-pigmentation, melasma and seborrheic keratosis.

On the other hand, darker skin tones are more susceptible to certain skin conditions – such as, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (after acne, eczema, injury and laceration); melasma; post-inflammatory hypopigmentation; pityriasis alba; dry or “ashy” skin; dermatosis papulose nigra; and/or greater risk of keloid development. In addition, the incidence of skin cancer has wisteness a rising trend among US Hispanics.

This article informed that effective photoprotection against harmful UVA and UVB radiation has been successful in skin cancer prevention, as well as protection against solar damage. However, in skin of color communities, there are high levels of sun seeking behaviors and a lack of photoprotection with sunscreen. Thus, photoaging with dyschromia is common and certain cancer risks are growing.

A review pf clinical evidence for photoprotection based on studies with lower skin phototypes, suggested a general lack of knowledge on the long-term impact of daily photoprotection on skin of color. An investigation was carried out for the skin benefits of daily sunscreen use with SPF 30/PPD 20 (Persistent Pigmentation Darkening rating = UVA protection) for 12 months—in phototype IV and V Hispanic females in the US versus a real-life population of the same age and phototypes without daily sunscreen in their routine.

The findings demonstrated the benefits of long-term daily use of sunscreen on signs of aging and pigmentary concerns in patients with higher phototypes.

Source: Journal of Drugs in Dermatology. 2020;19(3): doi:10.36849/JDD.2020.4836