Treatment and Prevention of Dyspigmentation in Patients with Ethnic Skin

Abstract

Ethnic skin, also referred to as skin of color, is primarily composed of Fitzpatrick skin types IV-VI and encompasses many racial and ethnic groups, including African-Americans, Asians, and Hispanics. Body rejuvenation can be successfully completed for these patients, but it requires knowledge of adverse reactions in darker skin. The increased melanin in richly pigmented skin can lead to greater susceptibility to postinflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), particularly from an underlying inflammatory cutaneous disorder or secondary to an irritation from therapeutic interventions (Fig. 33.1). Prevention of inciting inflammation, sun avoidance, and topical depigmenting agents are the mainstay of therapy for dyspigmentation in ethnic skin.