RT Book, Section
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
SR Print(0)
ID 1175118144
T1 Defining Skin of Color
T2 Cosmetic Dermatology for Skin of Color
YR 2009
FD 2009
PB McGraw Hill Medical
PP New York, NY
SN 9780071487764
LK dermatology.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1175118144
RD 2024/04/19
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.