Our skin is unique as we are, and each skin type faces its own set of challenges. When you’re searching for an African American dermatologist near me, you want to be sure that the doctor you find online will actually know about your skin concerns and be qualified to provide the help you need. At Vibrant Dermatology in Dedham, MA, Dr. Joyce Imahiyerobo-Ip has a passion for providing everyone in the Boston area with the best skincare, no matter their skin type.
Are You Being Adequately Served?
Much of traditional dermatology in the United States is aimed at Caucasian skin, and there are a number of cosmetic treatments, like certain laser and IPL treatments, that only work safely for those with lighter skin. Even many skincare products are designed only with lighter skin colors in mind and can cause hypopigmentation or hyperpigmentation in African Americans.
Surveys show that many people of color feel their skin conditions aren’t being accurately diagnosed or treated. That’s why it’s crucial that in your hunt for an African American dermatologist near me, you find someone who truly understands what your skin needs.
Challenges to African American Skin
Exogenous Ochronosis
If you’re experiencing discoloration of areas of your skin, especially around the face and eyes, you could be suffering from exogenous ochronosis. This condition can be caused by using skincare products that contain hydroquinone, and particularly products made to lighten the skin. In some cases, it can develop from spending too much time in the sun.
Hydroquinone should only be used sparingly, and if you’re currently using products that contain this ingredient—even if you don’t see any discoloration of your skin—talk to us. We can help you limit your use of these products while still getting the results you want through other treatments, like chemical peels or laser treatments.
Acne
Acne happens to nearly everyone at some point in life, and for African Americans, treating it can present unique challenges. Many of the products on the market are too harsh for ethnic skin and can lead to peeling, inflammation, drying, and darkening of the skin.
Acne manifests in many forms, and each needs to be treated in a specific way. It’s important to know, too, that acne isn’t just a “teenager” problem. It can appear in men and women well into their 30s, 40s, and beyond.
Options for Treatment
The right treatment for your acne will depend on what’s causing it, what type of acne you’re suffering from, and your skin type. At Vibrant Dermatology, we offer chemical peels, topical treatments, extractions, laser treatments, and prescription medications that can address your unique needs. We can also design a skincare routine that will help you get your acne under control.
Keloids
Keloids are a common problem for African American skin. Sometimes they appear in skin that’s suffered a trauma of some kind, but they can also appear in normal skin with no apparent cause. For African Americans, in particular, earlobe keloids are the most common issue.
A keloid is simply a type of thick scar. In some cases, they appear entirely spontaneously. In other cases, they form because the body is trying to close up a wound quickly to prevent infection. The body prioritizes keeping itself safe from infection over appearance, creating a large bump of scar tissue quickly instead of forming fresh, smooth new skin.
Options for Treatment
Dr. Ip is a specialist in the needs of ethnic skin, and she can help you understand your keloid issue and find the right treatment for your condition. Treatment options range from steroid injections to surgical removal: we will find the right treatment for your needs.
Seborrheic Keratosis
Seborrheic keratosis is most common in older people, but it can appear in nearly anyone. These are benign growths that are sometimes called skin tags. In most cases, they don’t pose any medical danger, but they can be unsightly and pose a risk of bleeding and pain if they’re in a spot where they can be torn or ripped. For those with darker skin, these growths are often smaller, but they’re very noticeable because they appear around the eyes and upper face.
Options for Treatment
We can offer a variety of ways to get rid of your seborrheic keratosis or other types of benign growths and skin tags. In most cases, the fastest and best way to get rid of them is either through cryosurgery, which freezes off the skin tags, or through electrodesiccation, which burns them off. Both treatments are fast, painless, and don’t involve extensive downtime or a long recovery period.
Psoriasis
In the past, it was commonly believed that psoriasis only affected those with fair skin. While the majority of people living with psoriasis do have lighter skin, we now know that it can affect skin of any type or color. Psoriasis is a tricky diagnosis for African Americans since it can present in a number of different ways and with different symptoms. You need a qualified, expert dermatologist to diagnose the issue and find the right treatment.
Psoriasis has to do with the immune system, and it also has a genetic component. If you have a family member with this skin issue, you are much more likely to get it yourself. The areas of red, scaly, and often itchy skin that characterize the condition come up as the body produces skin cells too quickly in that area. And even if you’ve gotten it under control in the past, it’s possible to have a flareup during times of stress or illness, after taking certain medications, or when the weather turns colder.
Options for Treatment
In most cases, the first treatment for psoriasis is a topical steroid. There are also prescription medications that can address the problem. At Vibrant Dermatology, we also use the Aerolase laser as a treatment. The laser can close down the blood vessels feeding the psoriasis plaques and stop the skin from growing too quickly.
Melasma
Melasma can appear in anyone, but it’s more common in women than in men and found more often in those with darker brown skin. It often appears in places where you’ve gotten a lot of sun exposure, but it can also be triggered by hormonal changes. For many women, these happen during pregnancy or while taking birth control. The condition presents as blotchy areas of pigmentation in the face.
Options for Treatment
The first step to getting treatment is to understand your unique skin issues. We may recommend topical creams, alternate birth control methods, laser treatments, chemical peels, or particular skincare products that can help the issue. It will all depend on your needs and goals.
Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation
Again, hyperpigmentation can happen to anyone, but post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation is more common in those with darker skin. This type of hyperpigmentation usually appears as a result of acne scarring, but it can appear at any time the skin is injured. The good news is that these spots are almost always benign, but that doesn’t make them any easier to live with.
Options for Treatment
Dr. Ip has special expertise in treating African American and other ethnic skin types, and she will work with you to determine the precise cause of your hyperpigmentation and the best treatment. Treatment options include chemical peels, facials, cosmeceuticals, and laser treatments.
Dermatosis Papulosa Nigra (DPN)
This noncancerous skin condition is most often seen in people of African American heritage, though it can affect others with darker skin. It presents as small, hyperpigmented, asymptomatic papules that grow on the face. The papules are usually about 1-5mm in diameter, smooth, and black or dark brown.
DPN has a strong genetic component, and 40% to 50% of those who have it come from a family with a history of the condition. The condition has to do with a developmental defect in hair follicles. These papules are most often found on the cheeks and forehead, but occasionally they appear on the upper back and chest or on the neck.
Options for Treatment
While DPN isn’t a danger, many people would prefer to be rid of their papules if possible. If you’re unhappy with your skin, come talk to us at Vibrant Dermatology. We offer cryotherapy, electrodesiccation, curettage, and laser therapies that may be right for your condition.
Vitiligo
Vitiligo can appear in men or women, and it’s often most distressing when it manifests in children. It can happen to people of any skin color, but it’s often most noticeable, and hence most troubling to the patient, in African American skin. This autoimmune disorder tends to run in families.
As with other autoimmune conditions, the body attacks its own cells—in this case, the cells that produce the pigment for your unique skin tone. The result is areas of drastically different pigmentation. These areas can be generalized and appear everywhere, or they may concentrate in areas like the lips, fingers, and toes.
Options for Treatment
This is one of the most challenging skin conditions to treat because it’s poorly understood. While we know what causes the condition, we don’t know how to stop the autoimmune disorder or all the triggers that can set it off. Dr. Ip will work closely with you to understand your needs and find ways to stop or slow further depigmentation.
Options for stopping the condition include corticosteroids and calcineurin inhibitors. Laser and light therapies can also help. This is a particularly distressing condition, so if you’re suffering from vitiligo, don’t wait to seek help also 5-minute nose job can help a lot.
Shingles
Shingles are caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox: the varicella-zoster virus. While chickenpox is typically a mild disease for children, shingles in adults can be very painful, and anyone who has had chickenpox is at risk for this disorder. It’s simply a re-activation of virus cells that have been hiding in the nervous system since the original chickenpox outbreak.
The first sign of this issue is burning or tingling or numbness, followed by blisters and a rash. This rash appears most often around the waistline. The pain of shingles varies from mild itching to intense pain even from a light tough.
Options for Treatment
Unfortunately, ti’s impossible to prevent shingles, but a varicella-zoster vaccine can provide the protection you need. If you’re over 50 and have ever had chickenpox, it’s a good idea to get the vaccination to prevent the virus from becoming active again.
If you already have shingles, we can help. We can offer antivirals and other medications that can make the outbreak shorter and less severe. The earlier you get treatment, the better the outcome, so come to see us as soon as you notice any new skin sensitivity like tingling, burning, pain, or numbness.
Find an African American Dermatologist You Can Trust
If you’ve been hunting for an African American dermatologist, your search is over. Come visit Dr. Ip at Vibrant Dermatology in Dedham, MA today. Dr. Ip has the expertise and experience needed to diagnose your unique skin issues and help you achieve the smooth, beautiful skin you deserve to have.
