Customer Reviews

Acne in Black Women

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

No matter how old you are, if you're black and have acne, you'll find that there is very little medical information available for you. Everything is written for white skin, which reacts very differently than black skin.

I found that this book solves that problem. First of all, it clearly explains the differences between black skin and white skin (things like skin thickness, oil glands,and melanin formation), as well as problems such as dark spots, scars and holes which are caused by acne.

Best of all though, is that the book discusses a wide range of treatments along with the pros and cons of each one.

I found this book extremely informative. It discusses important information in a way that anyone can understand. I'm very thankful that this resource is finally available for me and my family.

I bought this book for my husband and daughter, both of whom are black.My husband suffers from ingrown hairs, plugged pores and different climate on his skin than where he grew up.This in turn creates skin problems for him. This book helped to explain to me how to help them achieve better skin, free of scarring or darkness.

This book has become my reference guide. As a blck woman, I was faced with the harsh reality that there is no material out there relevant to me. Now, at last, someone has had the insight to write a book about black skin - what a wonderful resource! I'd recommend this book to any black person who is having skin problems.

I thought this book would give more details on skin differences among different races. I didn't see much information on specifically black skin. There were few lines on black skin. The information on what type of medicines that could be used on colored skin was helpful. He was also helpful in describing some techniques and medications that are used by dermatologists.

I did not know that there were differences between black skin and white skin This book has a table which explains this perfectly and the author has gone to some effort to show that the reaction pattern with white skin is always different to that in white skin Now I understand why I get all those black spots on my face chest and back In addition the book told me what to do about these dark spots

this book is informative but some of the treatments are either outdated or not available in the u.s. there is some good info in the book but i prefer "breaking out" for good easy to understand information and treatments.

I did not know that there were differences between black skin and white skin This book has a table which explains this perfectly and the author has gone to some effort to show that the reaction pattern with white skin is always different to that in white skin Now I understand why I get all those black spots on my face chest and back In addition the book told me what to do about these dark spots

Acne in Black Women is an information guide for patients in which the author has taken great care to convert the terminology that dermatologists are trained to use into "plain and simple" terms used by the general population. In the preface it is noted that the purpose of this presumptuous booklet is to fulfill the need for an easily understood pamphlet about acne for black people. There is further definition of the term" black" as any skin type other than white, such as Indian, Spanish, Portuguese, and Asian.
The booklet is compact with a table of contents that allows for easy location of each specific topic and lists of medications in table format, providing a quick review of side effects and dosage frequency. In selecting language to explain acne concepts and treatments, the author has certainly achieved the goal of the booklet. The explanations are clear with the frequent use of the term "zit" rather than "comedone" in discussing different types of acne lesions.

The photographic section contains excellent examples of acne lesions and scarring in people of color. The organization of the information first presents acne as mild, moderate, or severe, and the following section on therapeutic options, organizes them based on the author's judgement of their usefulness in those grades of acne. Providing a chart to self-monitor acne organized into different facial zones (forehead, left cheek, right cheek, chin, nose) and types of lesions (whiteheads, blackheads, pimples, dark spots, scars) seems a useful way to involve the patient in a realistic assessment of their response to treatment.

The discussion of treatment options does include medications that are not yet available in the United States such as topical isotretinoin (topical Isotrex) and an oral contraceptive containing cyproterone (Diane). The scheduling and organization of office visits in different parts of the world may be more variable than the every-2-week frequency mentioned.

Overall, the author has understated his accomplishment. The book is a patient information guide that transcends color. "Plain and simple" language may also be appealing to white and male patients.
Reviewed by: Mary E. Shepherd, MD, PhD, Aurora, Illinois (February 2001 issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology)