Skin Care for African Americans

Everyone’s interested in ways to improve their skin. And if you’re African-American, you’re likely interested in skin care tips proven to reduce acne scarring and promote beautiful skin. To keep the skin looking healthy and radiant, it’s best to treat conditions early, and take steps to reduce acne. Certain skin care issues are common to African-Americans. But fortunately, there are ways to combat these issues and maintain beautiful skin.

Wash the face regularly. Like other ethnic groups, African-Americans deal with acne. However, acne scarring is more common with African-American skin, and these dark spots can linger for weeks or months. To prevent acne scarring, you’ve got to stop acne. Be sure to wash the face daily with a gentle soap or facial cleanser. Also, apply an astringent to get rid of blemishes. Use a facial moisturizer after each wash, and drink plenty of water.

Treat ingrown hair. Ingrown hairs are common amongst African-American men and women. Because African-Americans generally have curly hair, the hair may curve back into the skin and cause a painful hair follicle bump. In some instances, ingrown hairs become infected and result in permanent scarring. To prevent an ingrown hair, shave with an electric shaver, wash the face or skin prior to shaving and shave in the direction of hair growth. If you notice a follicle bump, apply alcohol to prevent infection.

Deal with hyper-pigmentation. Hyper-pigmentation is a common African-American issue, in which certain areas of the body are darker. Darken areas can develop after an injury or skin disorder, or may just occur naturally. There are ways to fade dark spots and even your complexion. Cocoa butter and topical fade creams such as Retin-A can effectively fade dark spots. If these don’t work, laser treatments and chemical peels can reduce hyper-pigmentation and produce spotless, even skin.

Apply sunscreen. Having darker skin provides protection from harmful sun rays. Still, African-Americans aren’t immune to skin cancer. It’s important for African-American women and men to apply sunscreen before spending time in direct sunlight. Choose a sunscreen or facial moisturizer with at least SPF 15.

Choose make-up that complements your skin tone. Choose foundations and shades that complement your skin’s undertone. Cosmetic companies that specialize in African-American make-up offer a wide selection of colors for darker skin tones.