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Welcome to MHRW INTERNATIONAL - AFRICAN AMERICAN WORKSHOP - Black Skin Care

Dark Skin Care

In order to have and maintain healthy skin you must first understand why skin is healty and second you must know what is required to keep skin healty.

Knowledge
The first step to good skin health is being knowledgeable about your skin. We clearly know that the melanin in dark skin distinguishes it from other skin colors. There are several other distinctive characteristics that may be present in women with dark skin.

These include:

Self-Examination
The second step to healthy dark skin is to routinely do a thorough skin examination on yourself. Traditionally, dark skin is less susceptible to skin cancer, but when it does strike, it is often more deadly than compared to most other skin types. Women of color (and men) should be aware that they are indeed at risk for skin cancer and that early detection is very important. At the very least, you should examined your skin from head to toe once a month, paying particular attention to your hands, fingers, feet, toes, nails and mouth, where melanoma type skin cancers are more likely to appear in dark skin people. Look for dark brown or black skin spots in these areas no matter the size. Pay particular attention to new spots or spots that are becoming larger. The change can also be in shape or color or a raised bump that develops within the skin spot. A bump on the foot or toe that is sore or does not heal is another sign of skin cancer. Be on the lookout for dark streaks or lines along your fingernails or toenails. If you find anything unusual, any area that you think might have changed or any particularly dark or irregular spot, see your dermatologist as soon as possible.

The National Cancer Institute recommends the following steps for checking for signs of skin cancer. Use a mirror to check all areas including your hands, feet, nails, back, scalp, buttocks and genital areas as follows.

1. Check both the front and back of your body using a mirror, and then with your arms raised, check the left and right sides.

2. Carefully check your palms and forearms, including the undersides and your upper arms and arm pits.

3. Examine the back and front of your legs, as well as between the buttocks and around the genital area.

4. Examine your feet, including the soles and spaces between the toes.

5. Examine your face, neck and scalp.

Protection
The third step to ensure healthy dark skin is to insure that your skin has maximum protection from the sun. Though the average woman with brown skin has a natural SPF of 13 (which means you can stay in the sun without burning 13 times longer than a woman with white skin), we still need to include sunscreen in our daily skin care routine for healthy skin. Sunscreens work by absorbing the harmful ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays before they can affect the skin. Sunblocks create a protective barrier that reflects UV rays, causing them to bounce off the skin. For most women of color, a sunscreen with an SPF 15 (which means you can stay in the sun 15 times longer without burning) is sufficient, but if you have certain medical conditions, such as lupus, or take certain medications, or have dark marks or skin discolorations, you may need a sunscreen with an SPF 30. Look for broad-spectrum products containing ingredients that protect the skin from both UVA and UVB rays.

Sunscreen Tips

. Dark skin women (and men) should use sunscreen daily.

. Always apply sunscreen 20 minutes before exposing your skin to the sun.

. Apply sunscreen generously to skin (face, neck and hands).

. Reapply additional sunscreen after exercising or swimming.

. Do not use sunscreen after expiration dates or after one year.

. Apply sunscreen before applying makeup.

. Use a sunscreen that meets your personal preferences.

Sustenance
The final step to care for healthy dark skin is to nurture your skin. Use only the highest quality soaps, cleansers, toners, moisturizers, astringents, anti-aging products, and anti-acne agents available.

Avoid using:

. Cleansers, toners or astringents containing alcohol, propylene glycol, fragrance, or dyes.

. Products containing essential oils that are concentrated oil extracts from plants.

. Moisturizers containing fragrance, lanolin, dye, alcohol or propylene glycol.

. Sunscreens containing fragrance, oil, PABA.

. Makeups containing oil.

. Alpha-hydroxy acid in high concentrations or at certain pHs.

. Detergents and fabric softeners containing fragrance, dyes, or preservatives.

Now that you are aware of ingredients to avoid in maintaining your dark skin, you can concentrate on the proper cleansing technique for maintaining your skin. Many women with dark skin make the mistake of over-cleaning of the face, neck, elbows and knees. Mostly too often or too roughly. But most skin care problems like acne, dark marks, clogged pores are not caused by dirt. You do not need to use harsh products or rough cleansing techniques to clean your skin.

Use the following cleansing techniques for guidance.

. Cleanse your face daily to remove dirt, oil and makeup.

. Avoid abrasive cleansers or cleansing products, which tend to irritate your skin.

. Cleanse facial skin with your fingertips, massaging gently in a circular motion.

. Use products designed for your skin type only: oily, dry, normal, combination, sensitive, acne-prone or hyperpigmenting.

. Exfoliate if you need to remove dull, dead skin cells by using gentle exfoliating acids found in skin products-but test the product on a small patch of skin first or check with your dermatologist.

Conclusion
In conclusion, to properly care for dark skin requires knowledge of its unique structure and properties. Monthly self-examinations and protection from the sun are essential for the health of this skin type. Avoidance of products that irritate dark skin, and can lead to dark marks, is essential.

What you should know about: African American Skin Care & Brown Skin Care