Acne is a skin condition which affects many people from all around the world.  It’s not just white people who can get acne; people with black skin can suffer from it just as much.  Luckily there are treatments available to African Americans with acne.  If you aren’t sure what to do, you should ideally talk to a dermatologist.  Many people are under the illusion that black skin don’t have as many problems with their skin compared to those with light skin.  It’s believed that dark skin doesn’t suffer as much from the sun.  The problem is, however, that those with dark skin actually have more melanin which in turn makes the skin more sensitive and prone to injury.  As a result, scarring is more likely to occur due to acne.

The good news, is that people in the industry now recognize that black skin requires a different skin care regime.  A lot of the products on the market for acne are OK for those with light skin but aren’t so suitable for black skin.  Luckily you can now find products on the market which have been created for people of different ethnicity.  They have been developed to be much gentler and less harsh on the skin.

All too often, darker skinned people end up with dark marks and scarring around the spots.  You will find that the reason for this is because of the fact that more melanin is produced.  It’s the melanin that gives the skin a dark color.  The body produces melanin in order to protect itself from infections.  This is called hypopigmentation.  Unfortunately, the melanin doesn’t go away after the acne has gone.  This results in scarring which can fade but it can take quite a long time to do so.

There are now products that reduce the risk of hypopigmentation and the treatments come in the form of chemical peels which are of a lower-strength.  There are also lasers that use longer pulses can be used too.  However it’s best to stay away from collagen injections as raised scarring called keloids can occur.

So if you have dark skin and also have acne, be very careful about what products you use.  Make sure that they have been developed with your skin type in mind so as to avoid any unnecessary problems.  A good dermatologist will also be able to give you more specific advice.