Skin comes in many shades and depending on your skin color, there can be different treatments recommended to address your cosmetic concerns. While most surgical cosmetic procedures are the same for people of all ethnicities and skin types, in the case of non-surgical aesthetic enhancement procedures, the treatments can vary based on skin tone.
Skin of color refers to darker skin, various shades of brown, including African American, Latinx, Middle Eastern, and other ethnic groups. Darker skin can react differently to aesthetic treatments for skin care or hair treatments than an Anglo-American with lighter skin tone and hair color.
As a board-certified dermatologist, I treat all ethnicities and skin color. The same care and attention that I use to treat medical dermatological concerns, I also employ before I recommend aesthetic cosmetic treatments for skin of color. Before recommending a desired aesthetic service for patients with darker skin, I ensure that problems associated with certain cosmetic procedures are avoided.
There are many common problems with aesthetic skin treatments administered by other providers that are not dermatologists. An inexperienced practitioner treating skin of color may unknowingly cause dark spots (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation), white spots (post-inflammatory hypopigmentation), or red marks (erythema and telangiectasia) may occur. Even a quick and easy treatment for small white bumps (milia) can lead to skin discoloration in darker skin.
At BAXT CosMedical® we offer laser, light, and other aesthetic services that are safe, clinically proven, and effective in providing cosmetic enhancement procedures for our skin of color patients. Some examples of treatments for skin of color patients include:
This 39-year-old male consulted with Dr. Rebecca Baxt on laser hair removal to his neck area. The patient is of African American descent and specifically needed a laser that could remove hair on skin of color. He previously went elsewhere, but they did not use the correct laser and he did not feel that he had any hair loss from those treatments. The results shown are after 2 treatments with our YAG laser specifically designed for laser hair removal on skin of color
Results may vary. |
There are many aesthetic lasers that are used for a variety of skin conditions and anti-aging concerns, however not all lasers are recommended for skin of color. At BAXT CosMedical®, our lasers for hair removal, treatment of birthmarks, hyperpigmentation, redness, brown spots, and acne, and acne scars are all safe and effective for all skin colors. I set the lasers at specific wavelength to avoid skin lightening or darkening, burning, and even scarring. I advise my patients that not all lasers can be used on darker skin types and should not be operated by non-medical practitioners as they can cause serious skin damage. We inform men and women to be cautious of practices and medical spas that rent equipment monthly and only perform lasers on certain days.
This patient of Asian descent suffered from severe acne. She received photo rejuvenation treatments and chemical peels to achieve healthy and acne free skin.
Results may vary. |
Intense pulsed light, also known as a “photofacial” or “photorejuvenation”, is recommended to lighten brown spots, reduce redness, and improve fine lines. IPL uses high intensity visible light to treat the skin. There is some risk of scarring and lasting pigment changes if the IPL is used inappropriately in tanned skin or darker skin types.
This 28-year-old African American female has suffered from acne for the past 6 years. The patient advised Dr. Baxt that she did not want to take any oral medication. Dr. Baxt proceeded with a chemical peel and a combination of prescription topical medications to treat the patient’s acne. The after photo shows the results of one chemical peel and one month usage of topical medications.
Results may vary. |
Chemical peels are an excellent treatment to renew the skin ranging from superficial to deeper peels. Chemical peels are used to treat acne, scarring, skin damage, discoloration and overall facial anti-aging rejuvenation. Deeper peels can cause dark (hyperpigmented) or light (hypopigmented) patches and can even lead to scarring., therefore Chemical peels are safe for skin of color but should only be down by a board-certified dermatologist who has treated patients with darker skin colors. It is therefore important to be evaluated by a dermatologist ahead of time.
View video of Dr. Baxt performing a chemical peel.
This 35- year old female wanted larger and fuller lips. Dr. Baxt injected Juvederm Ultra to the upper and lower lips for a natural enhancement. The after result is 1 month post treatment and the patient is pleased with the enhancement in her lips.and the correction of the lines around her mouth.
Results may vary. See more Filler B&A, BOTOX® Cosmetic and Dysport® B&A
|
People of all ethnic groups are concerned about the visible signs of aging. For patients interested in non-surgical procedures to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, frown lines and furrows, loss of facial volume, and augmentation of lips, today’s advanced injectables temporarily address these concerns and gives patients a rejuvenated more youthful appearance. Products such as BOTOX® Cosmetic and facial fillers (Juvéderm® and others) have an excellent safety profile and have been clinically proven to be effective for skin of color.
At BAXT CosMedical®, you can be reassured that all my skin care professionals have the education and experience in performing cosmetic enhancement treatments for various ethnicities that are effective for different skin types. You can also be assured that I perform all the injections at BAXT CosMedical®.
Call our office to set up an appointment with Dr. Baxt at (201) 265-1300 or contact us through our website at any time.
