Aesthetic considerations in female skin of color: what you need to know.

Abstract

The world is flat when it comes to aesthetic treatments, meaning women and men from all walks of life, regardless of culture and ethnicity or even socioeconomic status, are seeking ways to improve their appearance, prevent aging, and rejuvenate their skin. Year after year, statistics show a steady increase in people of color undergoing aesthetic treatments, with neurotoxins, fillers, laser resurfacing, and body contouring being the most sought-after procedures. When treating this cohort of patients, however, dermatologists need to be sensitized to how a patient's ethnicity affects facial structure, the tissue reaction to treatments, and patient's specific expectations for recommended therapies. A balance between tolerability and efficacy needs to be struck to minimize risk for adverse effects such as postinflammatory hyperpigmentation, which can negatively impact a patient's experience and quality of life.