Acne Treatment for Dark Skin
A person's face is how they present themselves to the world; so suffering from acne can be a distressing hindrance. Acne is a skin condition that most people deal with at some point in their life. Alice Akunyili, director of research and development At Clear Essence, estimates that as many as 85% of people between The ages of 17 and 24 confront acne problems. Acne is so prevalent that even celebrities like Jessica Simpson and Sean "Diddy" Combs are discussing their struggles with acne on television and radio. While acne is definitely a global problem that affects people despite their race or nationality, individuals with darker skin tones often continue to deal with acne even after it has been treated and healed.
Acne tends to leave dark spots or scarring on the skin of these individuals. "The uneven skin tone and discoloration that arises is as dramatic and distressing as the acne," Akunyili said. Fortunately, there are a number of ways to treat and prevent acne and the scarring that often accompanies it.
Acne: causes, treatments and Prevention tips
"Acne can happen when the skin produces too much oil, which clogs the pores of the skin," said Jennifer Franklin, a physician assistant at the Academic Alliance in Dermatology in Tampa, FL. This oil production is usually caused by genetics or hormonal changes that occur during puberty or pregnancy. Common bacteria, known as P. acne, which can sometimes grow in a plugged follicle, also cause acne.
Countless over-the-counter and prescription treatments are available for acne sufferers. "Treatment of acne includes topical treatment, oral antibiotics, benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, Retin-A, Differin, Accutane [and] azelaic acid," said Franklin. Professional treatments like photodynamic therapy, chemical peels and lasers are also available.
While there are countless treatments for acne, the best treatment out there is prevention. If your customer already suffers from acne, oily hair products, cosmetics and creams can make the acne worse. Franklin advises them to "look for skin care products labeled non-comedogenic." Non-comedogenic means the products do not contain common pore clogging ingredients; although, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has no official definition of non-comedogenic or official standard to determine the "clogging" potential of an ingredient.
A person's daily grooming routine and eating habits also play a role in preventing acne breakouts. "Keeping your face clean and drinking lots of water can help, but not completely prevent acne when it is hormonal or genetic," said Franklin.
Exfoliating the skin can also prevent acne according to Ronda Layton, aesthetician and founder/CEO of Therapeutic Garden in Concord, CA. "Exfoliation provides cell turnover and creates renewed skin [preventing the clogging of pores]," Layton stated. "It also kills the bacteria and viruses that cause acne."
While this treatment may help in preventing acne in clear skin, it can be harmful to people already suffering from acne according to Akunyili. "Irritation of the skin by excessive scrubbing can aggravate acne and should be avoided," she said. "I recommend using bare hands to wash the face twice a day."
Akunyili also doubts the relationship between food and acne. "Contrary to popular conception, diet and acne are not necessarily related. Regarding chocolate specifically, several studies have demonstrated that there is no evidence that chocolate causes pimples."
Changing the pillowcases twice a week is another prevention tip offered by Layton. "Changing the pillow case often keeps the dead skin, oil, debris and hair off the face," Layton said. "Bacteria breeds on the pillow case causing the skin to break out."
Acne scarring
Dermatologists know scarring left by acne as post-inflammatory hyper pigmentation. "[Scarring] is caused by excessive melanin production and is a normal reaction when dark skin becomes inflamed, such as after a rash, scratch or pimple," said Akunyili. In order to treat scarring, companies developed skin-lightening products. Skin lightening products are marketed as fade cream or skin bleach. These over the-counter products usually contain 2% of hydroquione, while prescription creams contain 4% according to Dr. Candace Kimbrough-Green, a dermatologist in Marietta, GA. In order to get the optimal effect from these products, they should be applied correctly. "Our product should only be applied to the small affected area or skin, not over large areas of the body," said Cathy Anglin, director of research at J. Strickland &
Company, which produces Nadinola Fade Creams, Artra Skin Tone Cream and Black & White Bleaching Cream. They advise their consumers not to use the products all over their bodies. "Our products, and all those regulated by the FDA, are not designed to be used to lighten the consumer's overall skin color," Anglin continued.
Proper use of skin lightening products is listed on the labels and usually consists of applying a thin layer to the affected area twice a day. The advised usage time varies depending on the product but is usually between four to 12 weeks. "Products should not be used on irritated or broken skin," advised Anglin. For best results, users should "avoid sun exposure or use a sunscreen or protective clothing." According to Dr. Kimbrough-Green, the results of the skin lightening products should not reverse "providing the patient does not have anymore inflammation and stays out of the sun."
Overall, skin-lightening products are completely safe to be used by people suffering from skin discoloration. Accompanied by an acne treatment regiment, skin-lightening products are ensuring that its users get their beautiful, clear skin back again.

Article taking from "OTC" magazine issue Apr 2006