TY - CHAP M1 - Book, Section TI - Defining Skin of Color A1 - Shah, Sejal K. A1 - Alexis, Andrew F. A2 - Alam, Murad A2 - Bhatia, Ashish C. A2 - Kundu, Roopal V. A2 - Yoo, Simon S. A2 - Chan, Henry Hin-Lee PY - 2009 T2 - Cosmetic Dermatology for Skin of Color AB - Ethnic skin, or skin of color, refers to the broad range of skin types and complexions that characterize individuals with darkly pigmented skin, including (but not limited to) persons of African, Asian, Latino, Native American, and Middle Eastern descent (Figure 1.1). Differences in structure, function, and cultural practices in individuals with skin of color contribute to variations in the prevalence, clinical presentation, and impact on quality of life of numerous skin conditions. Understanding these differences is paramount in the treatment of persons with skin of color, especially in the context of cosmetic dermatology. Failure to recognize these differences can result in incorrect assumptions about an individual patient's standards of beauty as well as potentially disfiguring treatment complications. A thorough understanding of ethnic variations in skin structure and function, cultural practices, and responses to treatment is essential to safely and effectively treat the entire spectrum of patients who seek cosmetic dermatologic procedures. In this chapter, the clinical and cultural nuances that characterize skin of color are discussed. The challenges of defining or classifying skin of color are also addressed. SN - PB - McGraw Hill Medical CY - New York, NY Y2 - 2024/04/19 UR - dermatology.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1175118144 ER -