Acne is already difficult enough, but if you’re a patient with darker skin tones acne is an entirely different struggle for you.

What are the best acne treatments for Black skin? Here’s what experts want you to know!

What Is Acne? What Causes It?

Acne is a skin condition that occurs when hair follicles or sebaceous glands become clogged with dead skin cells, dirt, and / or excess oils. This causes inflammation and other symptoms known as acne, which can range in severity.

This condition can present as different types of blemishes including:

• Closed clogged pores (blackheads)
• Open clogged pores (whiteheads)
• Pus-filled, painful bumps under the skin (cysts)
• Pus-filled papules (pustules or pimples)
• Small and tender bumps (papules)
• Solid and painful bumps under the skin (nodules)

It’s not just for the face either. Acne can appear virtually anywhere on the body, such as the back, chest, shoulders, and other areas. There are many causes for acne, but diet, certain medications, and hormonal changes are the most common.

What Does Acne Look Like on Black Skin?

It can look very different on Black skin than it does on lighter skin tones, which is why it’s important to know the symptoms and the potential complications in order to receive an accurate diagnosis on the type of acne you have. This also helps you to understand the appropriate treatments for it.

For example, instead of redness, a pimple may appear as more of a purple color on dark skin. Whiteheads don’t necessarily look white on dark skin, but they typically do still have a lighter tip.

Another concern with acne in Black patients is hyperpigmentation or scarring that can occur. Acne triggers the release of melanin, which can result in dark spots that are tricky to fade. Keloid scarring is more present in dark skin tones and can be problematic as well.

Severe acne is most likely to lead to these complications, however it’s possible for virtually all types of acne.

What Acne Treatments for Black Skin Are Available?

Acne treatments for Black skin involve two things: actual treatments from your acne specialist and how you treat your skin. There’s no miracle cure for acne, although it’d be great if there were. It ultimately requires taking care of your skin both at home and with the help of a professional.

• Avoid Popping Pimples at All Costs

This is a big one. Popping pimples only worsens the problem. You’ll end up creating or worsening inflammation, spreading bacteria to the clogged pore, and even run the risk of scarring or pigmentation issues. Since people with dark skin have a higher risk already, it’s essential to avoid pimple popping.

• Book a Soothing, Acne-Fighting Facial

Managing your acne doesn’t have to be stressful. In fact, there are many ways to add some pampering and relaxing self-care into your skincare routine, including facials.

You can find several safe facials that help to treat acne by removing excess oils and extracting congestion. These facials are non-invasive, pain free, and a great, affordable treatment to add into your acne-fighting regime.

• Check Out Chemical Peels That Are Safe for Skin of Color

Chemical peels are an incredibly powerful treatment for complex and stubborn skin concerns like acne and acne scarring. That being said, they can be quite harsh on deeper skin tones, particularly if the wrong type or depth of chemical peel is used.

Superficial or light chemical peels are generally the safest for Black skin. It’s best to meet with an expert before seeking a chemical peel, though, to ensure the safety of your skin.

• Enlist Help From a Provider of Color

Choosing your doctor or nurse isn’t always easy, especially if you’re a patient of color, but it’s certainly not impossible. Increasingly more professionals are learning how to cater to and improve the health of Black skin with a variety of treatments that you can’t perform yourself.

For many patients, a doctor or nurse who shares a similar skin tone will bring the most comfort, safety, and security, and that’s perfectly understandable. Ultimately, you should look for a board-certified professional who has plenty of experience with treating your skin tone, and it’s an added bonus if they share a similar one to you.

• Look for Dermatologist-Approved Skincare

Acne treatment is ongoing and largely depends on how you treat your skin at home. Finding the right products for you may take time, but the main thing is that they’re dermatologist approved and formulated with high-quality, safe ingredients.

Enlisting the help of a trained professional who sells skincare at their medical spa can make your search for gentle and effective acne-fighting skincare products much easier.

• Play It Safe With Laser Treatments

Light therapy is incredibly effective for treating acne, however it can be pretty risky for medium to deep skin tones. Certain laser or light treatments can be extremely beneficial, but again, it all comes down to finding an expert who will use the right treatments for your skin tone and type.

Find Safe and Effective Acne Treatments for Black Skin in Olney, Maryland Here at Estar MedSpa!

Say goodbye to acne struggles with Estar MedSpa’s amazing skincare services to eliminate acne and other concerns! Our team is diverse and experienced at treating any and all skin tones, especially dark skin.

Reach us at 301-917-3870 to schedule your consultation today and see how we can help you with our many cutting-edge treatments, remarkable products, and friendly service!