Black skin is darker due to the increased amount of melanin. Melanin pigment protects it from sunlight and slows down the aging process. This keeps black women looking younger than those who are white skinned. However, black women need to be very conscious of darkening because their skin can scar easily. It is necessary to understand the particular issues and ways to protect yourself.

Unique Problems with black skin

• As black skin ages, it becomes irregularly pigmented, marking dark patches
• Similarly it can be irritated and may at times result in producing more melanin, thus creating dark spots
• Generally black-skinned women tend to have oily facial skin, which can be compounded by adding more than just the skin's natural oils
• Ironically, although black women are prone to excessive facial oils, they also have dry, ashy body skin
• African American skin tends to lose elasticity very easily resulting in loose skin, stretch marks and fat globs around the waist, thighs, stomach, breasts and face and neck area
• Black skin is prone to getting irritated quickly, be it with plucking, squeezing blemishes or shaving. This can result in dark spots
• Pregnant women may develop hyper-pigmentation around the neck due to pregnancy

Natural skin care techniques

• Black skin requires heavy oil to penetrate deep. It must leave it well hydrated but not overly oily
• Daily use of sunscreen is an essential ritual. This can prevent irregular pigmentation
• Do not use lighteners or bleaching creams containing steroids. These can cause permanent damage including permanent redness, thinning and blood vessel streaks
• Also avoid skin lighteners or bleaching creams containing mercury as this is a poison
• Creams containing Tretinoin are recommended for tackling hyper-pigmentation
• Products which contain hydroquinone will lighten dark areas
• Women of color must be careful before using skin-peeling agents. It might leave their skin with pigment changes
• It is important to recognize your own skin tone and choose shades that best complement your natural tone
• Choose makeup products carefully or you might be left looking ashen when you want to sport your best face
• Post inflammatory hyper pigmentation is quite common in dark skinned individuals, even after minor trauma. An area may darken after an injury such as a cut or a scrape, or after certain disorders such as acne. To avoid or reduce post inflammatory hyper pigmentation, avoid picking, harsh scrubbing, and abrasive treatments
• Darkened areas of skin may take many months or years to fade, although topical bleaching agents may help. Also chemical peels and microderm abrasion can be helpful.