Many of our treatments for pigmentation disorders improve the overall quality of your skin, too. Hyperpigmentation, especially, is common in darker skins as a result of inflammation, such as acne scars.ĭepending on your needs, we may recommend: We specialize in all kinds of pigmentation disorders in POC, whether you have patches that are darker or lighter than your overall skin tone. You can also fade surrounding skin to better match the light patches. New vitiligo treatments focus on helping your skin cells produce melanin again. With vitiligo, your skin cells actually stop producing melanin, which is the substance that gives your skin color. Vitiligo affects people with fair skin, too, but is most noticeable in darker skin tones, where the contrast in pigment is greater. Vitiligo may appear on the face, hands, or other areas of the body. Vitiligo can be a frustrating condition because it tends to worsen with time.Ĭelebrities with vitiligo include the late musician Michael Jackson, the model Winnie Harlow, and rapper Big Krizz Kaliko. Vitiligo is a type of hypopigmentation, which is a condition characterized by patches of skin that have less pigment than your overall skin tone. Melasma may fade on its own as hormonal surges subside, such as during perimenopause and menopause. It’s especially important to avoid sun exposure, which worsens melasma. We lighten the appearance of melasma with various treatments, including: In fact, many women first develop melasma when they’re pregnant and experience a surge of hormones, which is why the condition is sometimes referred to as “the mask of pregnancy.” You may have melasma if you notice brown or gray patches on your:Īlthough both women and men get melasma, it affects women at a far greater rate, probably because melasma is influenced by hormones. Melasma may be more visible in lighter skin tones, but is more prevalent in those with darker skin tones, including people of Asian or Hispanic descent. Melasma is a type of hyperpigmentation, which is an area or patch of skin that’s darker than your overall skin tone. If you’d like a more even skin tone - free of growths and scars - we share the following information about conditions we can treat to help you toward that goal. Omolara Olowoyeye and our team understand the unique benefits of darker skin, as well as some of the common aesthetic issues that face POC. However, you may have unique frustrations that sometimes accompany people whose skin tone ranges from 4-6 on the Fitzpatrick scale, including skin that’s more easily and visibly damaged or discolored.Īt Radiance Dermatology in Bethesda, Maryland, Dr. As a person of color (POC), you’re proud of your richly pigmented skin and grateful that you burn less easily than fairer types.

Mmd dark skin base