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Dr Burgess makes a valuable point on finding the right treatment for medical, or cosmetic needs, if your skin is black, or brown.
The differences between people of varying ethnic backgrounds really are just skin deep but for dermatology, that matters. At an October 2023 conference, Dr Burgess highlighted points for dermatologists to consider, summed up below.
Presentation Outline
Aesthetic procedures for individuals with skin of color require special consideration, due to their propensity for hyperpigmentation reactions. They can be innate, such as from acne, or due to specific events.
Those events can include unsuitable treatment, a good reason to understand a patient’s ethnic background and to consider spot testing treatment.
Laser procedures can raise doubts for people with darker skin. They do not need to be ruled out but choosing the right device and settings is crucial, which comes from experience and studying available data.
The same applies to all procedures, along with appreciating differences in emphasis. Rather than fine lines, or wrinkles, people with darker skin are more likely to have concerns over complexion uniformity, or areas that are sagging.
Those concerns need to be reflected in treatment choices, such as using stimulatory fillers with a suitable collagen response, to bring skin tightening.
Whatever procedure is used, a nuanced approach is required, which recognises the prevalence of post inflammatory hyperpigmentation and complexion variation. In essence, optimal treatment comes from treating the individual.
Aesthetic Or Medical
Dr Burgess also gave significant emphasis to patient safety. The priority for cosmetic or medical care, in a field of medicine where there is an overlap.
Whilst the presentation focused on cosmetic treatment, a number of procedures can also be part of medical intervention. The same focus needs to be given to careful selection of treatment and the way this is applied.
From lasers, to topical treatment, even aspects of surgery, the colour of a patient’s skin should play a part in planning and providing care. In dermatology, inherently small differences can have a greater impact on outcome.
Whether providing medical dermatology for darker skin, or addressing aesthetic issues, appropriate knowledge and thought produce results patients would choose.