We all want healthy skin. And with a proper health and beauty regimen healthy skin can be yours. Then age sets in, ailments on the skin and wrinkles are unavoidable. The topic of skin enhancement treatments seems taboo in the African American community, but women of color are embracing skin treatments and procedures too.

“The bottom line is African American women are seeking healthy skin,” says Dr. Sheri Hicks-Graham a dermatologist based in Ohio. “They desire skin that is even, toned, smooth and free of acne, moles and unwanted hair. To that end, several therapies are becoming popular.” Check out a few below:

1. Chemical Peels and Microdermabrasion
“This involves the application of a fruit acid extract like alpha-hydroxy or beta-hydroxy acids to the skin after removal of the oil from the skin with the use of a medical grade astringent. The procedure works well in a series of at least three to five treatments,” explains Hicks-Graham. She warns that, “it is not safe to do deeper peels which peel deep layers quickly due to the high risk of discoloration that can lead to scarring.” Another popular procedure is microdermabrasion.

2. Laser Hair Removal
“This improves the appearance of hair bumps which are painful and unsightly due to dark marks which often form. Laser Hair Removal smoothes skin over time and is excellent for the face, bikini area or underarms which are places likely to develop razor bumps,” says Hicks-Graham.

3. Fillers
Women of color have natural melanin which largely protects the skin from ultraviolet damage that causes fine lines and wrinkles. “As the aging process happens, African American women tend to have gravity-driven sagging of the jowls and nasolabial fold prominence. As an option, women are seeking fillers which are injectable volumizers for areas of the face which may have deep lines due to jowl fullness or sagging that happens over time,” explains Hicks-Graham.

4. Mole Removal
This procedure is a common problem for African American women. “An electrodessicator (small electric needle-like device) may be used to destroy the moles which can be unsightly and itchy,” says Hicks-Graham. Another popular procedure is removal of acne scars.

With all the treatment options it is important to do your research and really understand your skin before you undergo any type of procedure.

—Yvelette Stines

TAGS: Chemical Peels, Dermatology, Dr. Sheri Hicks-Graham, Fillers, Laser Hair Removal, Microdermabrasion, Mole Removal, Ohio, SKINCARE, Yvelette Stines