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Acne in Dark Skin

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Pigmented Ethnic Skin and Imported Dermatoses

Abstract

Acne vulgaris is a chronic, inflammatory disease of the sebaceous follicle characterized by increased sebum secretion and formation of follicle-associated closed and open comedones, papules, pustules and nodules; pseudocysts and several types of scars are sequelae of the primary lesions [1]. Acne is a most common skin disease seen worldwide. However, its incidence and clinical presentation differ in various geographic areas and ethnicities. The disease is less commonly seen in populations with dark skin living in developing countries in Africa. In contrast, acne is on the top list of dermatoses seen in African Americans in the USA [2, 3], indicating that environmental factors may play a prominent role in the pathogenesis of the disease. Acne vulgaris in dark skin is frequently either mild comedonal or nodular, in contrast to the classical presentation of acne papulopustulosa in fair skin (Table 18.1). In addition, facial acneiform dermatoses are frequently seen in patients with dark skin in Africa and India, more often than acne vulgaris itself. On the other hand, it seems that metabolic abnormalities associated with acne are overrepresented in India. Overall, the disease has a significant impact on the quality of life of young individuals worldwide and requires medical assistance and continuing support.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departments of Dermatology, Venereology, Allergology and Immunology, Dessau Medical Center, Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane, Dessau, Germany

    Christos C. Zouboulis

  2. Dermatology Unit, Department of Medicine, Federal Medical Centre, Keffi, Nasarawa State, Nigeria

    Emeka Okoro

  3. Delhi Dermatology Group, Kubba Clinic, New Delhi, Delhi, India

    Raj Kubba

Authors
  1. Christos C. Zouboulis
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  2. Emeka Okoro
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  3. Raj Kubba
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Christos C. Zouboulis .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. The Free University of Berlin, Medical School Charité, Berlin, Germany

    Constantin E. Orfanos

  2. Departments of Dermatology, Venereology, Allergology and Immunology, Dessau Medical Center, Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane, Dessau, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany

    Christos C. Zouboulis

  3. Department of Dermatology and Venereology, HELIOS Klinikum Krefeld, Krefeld, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany

    Chalid Assaf

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Zouboulis, C.C., Okoro, E., Kubba, R. (2018). Acne in Dark Skin. In: Orfanos, C., Zouboulis, C., Assaf, C. (eds) Pigmented Ethnic Skin and Imported Dermatoses. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-69422-1_18

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-69422-1_18

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  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-69422-1

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