Acne in persons with dark skin

Abstract

Acne in people with dark skin is an enigmatic entity. The dark skin in this context comprises skin of persons of African origin, those from the Indian subcontinent, other countries of Asia, and of Hispanic populations. It is also one of the commonest conditions for which people with dark skin seek dermatologic consultation in many countries. Acne in these people is a double insult due to the frequently accompanying hyperpigmentation. Though the disease by and large remains the same in terms of its etiopathogenesis, clinical presentation, and treatment, there are certain subtle differences which warrant a short but separate chapter on this entity. This chapter aims at highlighting the differences in acne in dark skinned people compared to acne occurring in lightly pigmented Caucasian skin. The basics of epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical features, and treatment of acne are not discussed in this chapter for the sake of brevity and to avoid repetition.