RT Book, Section A1 Williams, Kiyanna A1 Gutierrez, Daniel A1 Woolery-Lloyd, Heather A2 Baumann, Leslie S. A2 Rieder, Evan A. A2 Sun, Mary D. SR Print(0) ID 1190668462 T1 Skin of Color T2 Baumann’s Cosmetic Dermatology, 3e YR 2022 FD 2022 PB McGraw Hill LLC PP New York, NY SN 9780071794190 LK dermatology.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1190668462 RD 2024/03/28 AB SUMMARY POINTSWhat’s Important?There is little variation in number of melanocytes between light- and dark-skinned individuals. Skin color is determined by the type of melanin produced and the size and distribution of melanosomes within melanocytes and keratinocytes.There are several scales and typing systems used to classify patients by skin color. The most commonly used system is the Fitzpatrick skin typing system; however, it does not fully delineate darker-skinned individuals and other systems may be deemed more appropriate for use with skin of color patients.Stratum corneum thickness appears to be the same across skin types; however, darker skin may be more compact and cohesive. Mast cell granule size has been shown to be larger and ceramides have been shown to be in lower concentration in darker skin.Data regarding racial differences in lipid content, transepidermal water loss, barrier function, spontaneous corneocyte desquamation, water content and skin irritancy are inconclusive and often contradictory.Darker pigmented skin provides photoprotective effects including delayed photoaging; however, it also confers greater risk of dyschromia including procedure-related dyschromia.What’s New?As the US population continues to grow more ethnically and racially diverse there is an increased interest in skin of color. The practicing dermatologist will need to develop increased awareness of the similarities and differences in skin structure and function in different racial/ethnic groups to better diagnose and treat a diverse patient population.What’s Coming?Interpretation and application of existing data is limited by small sample size, varying methodologies, varying definitions of racial/ethnic groups, and lack of standardization of study protocols. These limitations demonstrate the need for newer studies.New, large, comprehensive, and standardized studies with clear methodologies and classifications of patients by skin types are currently taking place. These studies will be most useful to address the current limitations seen in this research area.