Customer Reviews

Brown Skin : Dr. Susan Taylor's Prescription for Flawless Skin, Hair, and Nails

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I am a black women who decided to get my look together before I turned 30. I dont have tremendous skin problems but I just want my skin to look youthful and vivacious. I found out how to get that type of skin by reading Dr. Taylor's book. It was so helpful that I could have cried. The section on how to remove/prevent the dark marks that are sometimes left behind after having a blemish was exceptional. In only a month, my skin has never looked or felt better. I dont feel the need to wear makeup anymore. She also gives very good product recommendations based upon your skin type. You can tell that her advise comes from research and experience. I highly recommend this buy.

I found this book to be easy to read (not a lot of dermatologist language) and with helpful advice. I gave five stars because of the accessibility of the products Dr. Taylor prescribes, most generic brands or simple home-remedies, that are affordable and also because she didn't push me to make an appointment or to buy expensive, designer products. Most solutions are common sense, but with a little extra advice and steps to follow that makes purchasing the book worthwhile. Dr. Taylor gives examples of actual clients that makes me feel comfortable that I'm not the only one going through problems with my hair and skin. My husband was also able to get sound advice for his acne-prone, oily skin. There are also helpful hints for children...there's something in this book for everyone to maintain healthy skin, hair and nails!

The book would probably be informative to some people. Overall, I didn't learn a single thing. THE BOTTOM LINE: If you don't know anything about hair and skin care, if you are starting from scratch, then this book might be helpful. If you are like me, and you already read Essence or already have some knowledge of how and when to wash your hair and face, then the book will seem like a waste of money.

Another drawback --most of the advice is incredibly general. A woman of color with skin or hair problems would be better advised to make an appointment with Dr. Taylor or another black dermatologist to get specific advice to help your specific problems. If you have health insurance, one appointment with a dermatologist should not cost to much more than the book.

Unfortunately most people do not understand that people of African decent have unique dermatological challenges that do not affect other races. Dr. Taylor has done a phenomenal job of both publicizing this and addressing things that we need to do to improve the health of our skin. I don't agree with everything she says 100%, particularly as it relates to diet and acne, but she has done a better job of addressing dermatology for people of color than anyone else I have seen or read to date.

In addition to really enjoying her book I travel from NYC to Philadelphia to receive treatment from her for a unique acne condition that predominantly affects black men (Acne Keloidalis Nuchae). Over the course of 15 years I have seen 3 Dermatologist and 2 Doctors who have told me that there is no way to treat it. To end a long story after one treatment from her and some topical ointments the condition is 97% gone! I giver her business card to black men that I see on the street who have really severe baldness and razor bumps due to this condition.

In summary: A great book; A great Doctor and something that all people of African decent should have in their library.

In the midst of the summer's challenges for skin and hair,I am thrilled to have found Dr. Taylor's book. Dr.Taylor has included so much valuable information in a very accessible format. She appeals to our common sense which makes her suggestions palatable and easy to follow. The reader does not walk away feeling bad about choices previously made in the area of hair and skin care. Rather you feel motivated to succeed in moving in a new direction. So often advisors in these areas relish giving advice with out regard for the client. Dr. Taylor's approach is quite different. Her specific suggestions along with product names leave the reader feeling capable. Finally, the fact that Dr. Taylor is a physician gives this reader greater confidence in her advice. Additionally as a woman of color and mother of two girls, I know she can relate to my experiences. Thank you Dr. Taylor for walking us through the maze!

A MUST FOR THE HOLIDAY LISTS!

This book is so clear and concise that anyone can understand it. If you want to have beautiful hair, skin and nails at any age, you must have this book! I have already started using most of the principles included in the book and I have notice a complete difference already ...and it's only been 1 month since I got the book. This is a great read for ANY woman or man of color!

I met the author at a book signing on Saturday and I was thoroughly impressed with her knowledge and her ability to speak frankly and plainly about all topics concerning skin care. The book contains lots of practical advice and the product information is certainly of great value. The book has prompted my 13 year old daughter to go online and check out the various products that Dr. Taylor names as solutions to her skin problems.

I also like the fact that she addresses our skin care needs at each phase of life. It is so rare that African-Americans can find information on skin care that is specific to our needs. I applaud the Dr. and I recommend the book highly!

This is the only book I know of that deals with the dermatological issues that black people face. It is clear, and uses language that is easily understood by laypeople. Dr. Taylor gives an introduction to common skin concerns like vitiligo and papalusa. She also gives a huge amount of information about hair and why so many of us have fried, broken tresses. One thing I really appreciated was that she doesn't just tell you to buy such and such product but gives you an actually name. Most of what she recommends can be purchased from the grocery store. This is a book worth buying.

After seeing Dr. Taylor on a talk show discussing her book, I ordered a copy. What a disappointment! She mentioned on the talk show that this book was targeted for people with "brown skin" from various ethnic backgrounds whose unique skin coloring, hair, nail issues are often overlooked in the "mainstream" media. She glossed over this topic big time and I found the information bland, the pictures basic, and a lot of the same information repeated throughout the book. Unfortunately she is not telling the "intelligent and well informed" reader anything new. Her marketing spin is that she is a Doctor who happens to be a woman of color.

Dr. Susan Taylor is an internationally renowned aesthetician and dermatologist, with expertise and knowledge in the area of African American women's skin care. In BROWN SKIN: DR SUSAN TAYLOR'S PRESCRIPTION FOR FLAWLESS SKIN, HAIR AND NAILS,
she provides an abundance of information that focuses on the overall health and beauty of the skin, hair and nails of women of color.

BROWN SKIN dispels many of the beauty myths and misconceptions that have long permeated The African American community. It explores the efficacy and dangers of many skin care products readily available on the market, but that come without much guidance. It further outlines the latest advances in skin care, ranging from acid peels to laser surgery, and provides information on a host of dermatological manifestations in a wide range of medical conditions.

In a nutshell, BROWN SKIN is a complete guide for women of color, on how to enhance and protect their outer beauty. Dr Taylor does a fascinating job of demystifying the scientific facts concerning this topic, and presenting them in layman's terms, readily understandable by her audience. This book is a must read for women of color concerned with their physical appearance.

Reviewed by Autumn
of the RAWSISTAZ reviewers