Dry Skin
Dry skin can be defined clinically as skin that has lost its smoothness to the touch and to the sight, it has lost its water retention capacity.
The notion of dry skin is associated with a significant lack of hydration. The most obvious characteristic is certainly a rough touch and a roughness of the cutaneous surface, sometimes accompanied by irregular desquamation or cracks which gives it a dull and lackluster appearance. It can be fragile, which can lead to a feeling of discomfort, a tendency to eczema, sensitivity to the cold (chapping) or to dryness in the air, which can lead to tightness and itching of varying degrees. It is also subject to premature skin aging caused by a slowdown in the renewal of epidermal cells.
Lack of sebum: Dry skin has few protective lipids on its surface hydrolipidic film (FHLS) due to sebaceous hyposecretion, so it reacts more strongly to aggressions and its signs of aging (wrinkles, loss of elasticity, etc.) are more visible.
Lack of water: There is a decrease in the concentration of water in the stratum corneum, due to the alteration of the hydrolipidic film, the decrease in protective intercellular lipids (ceramides) and the slowing down of the synthesis of the components of the natural moisturizing factor (NMF) (Figure 1). These components are urea, uric acid, lactic acid, amino acids, sodium, potassium, etc. Located inside the cells of the stratum corneum (corneocytes) and on the surface of the epidermis, the role of this factor is to fix water in these cells. Dry skin is skin that lacks lipids (sebum), that lacks water or that lacks both. Other factors can also be important, such as ultraviolet radiation, pollution or climatic conditions.HyperpigmentationIn individuals with dark, matte skin, hyperpigmentation is visualized by a mottled, non-homogeneous skin (Fig.1 & 2). It can be the result of immune system activity in response to inflammation, infection and/or scarring, but also the result of daily use of topical lightening products containing substances now banned in cosmetics such as hydroquinone and/or dermocorticoids.
Hyperpigmentation
In order to reduce these dermatoses, it is essential to understand the mechanisms of melanogenesis. Thus, it will be easier for us to visualize at which level of the process we need to act, to stop and/or reduce its melanin production activity, in an efficient way and without side effects.
Melanogenesis takes place in the epidermis, the outermost layer of the skin, in particular dendritic cells: the melanocytes. The latter interact with the surrounding keratinocytes to evenly distribute the synthesized melanin. The melanogenesis process is carried out within specific organelles called melanosomes, organelles intrinsic to melanocytes. They are the support for the synthesis of different pigments (melanins), responsible for our specific skin color (we talk about phototypes).Oiler skinWe notice that a majority of black and dark women have a mixed to oily skin on the face, it is perhaps your case. So how is this phenomenon explained, and above all, how can it be avoided? The figures speak for themselves: according to several ethnic studies, more than 65% of black and dark-haired women have combination to oily skin on their face.
Melanogenesis takes place in the epidermis, the outermost layer of the skin, in particular dendritic cells: the melanocytes. The latter interact with the surrounding keratinocytes to evenly distribute the synthesized melanin. The melanogenesis process is carried out within specific organelles called melanosomes, organelles intrinsic to melanocytes. They are the support for the synthesis of different pigments (melanins), responsible for our specific skin color (we talk about phototypes).Oiler skinWe notice that a majority of black and dark women have a mixed to oily skin on the face, it is perhaps your case. So how is this phenomenon explained, and above all, how can it be avoided? The figures speak for themselves: according to several ethnic studies, more than 65% of black and dark-haired women have combination to oily skin on their face.
It is important to know that black and dark skin tends to produce more sebum, because in temperate climates like Europe, they have to fight against dehydration. They therefore synthesize sebum in greater quantities. This large amount of sebum on the surface of the skin gives a shiny appearance to the face. Black and dark skins do not acclimatize well to stress, pollution, limestone in the water, but especially to the lack of sunlight, humidity and wind. Excessive sebum production is a way for the skin to protect itself from external aggressions. This excess of sebum can be alone, but it is very often accompanied by acne for example, and leave hyperpigmentation spots.
Oilier Skin
It has been observed that a majority of black and dark women have mixed to oily skin on their face, and this may be your case. So how can this phenomenon be explained, and more importantly, how can it be avoided? The figures speak for themselves: according to several ethnic studies, more than 65% of black and dark-haired women have combination to oily skin on their face.
It is important to know that black and dark skin tends to produce more sebum, because in temperate climates like Europe, they have to fight against dehydration. They therefore synthesize sebum in greater quantities. This large amount of sebum on the surface of the skin gives a shiny appearance to the face. Black and dark skins do not acclimatize well to stress, pollution, limestone in the water, but especially to the lack of sunlight, humidity and wind. Excessive sebum production is a way for the skin to protect itself from external aggressions. This excess of sebum can be alone, but it is very often accompanied by acne for example, and leave hyperpigmentation spots.
Eczema
Eczema is a very common skin disease resulting in the appearance of inflamed patches on the skin accompanied by small pimples, called vesicles.In fact, there is not just one type of eczema. The best known is atopic eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis. Allergic contact eczema is also very common. Other types are rarer, such as dyshidrosis, nummular eczema or stasis eczema.
This group of pathologies represents 10 to 33% of the reasons for consultation of black skin patients, the same rate is found for white skin. Also, whatever their skin color, atopic dermatitis is the first cause of consultation of children in dermatology.
This article will help you understand atopic eczema more precisely. What are the causes of its appearance? What is its medical treatment and especially, what are the good gestures to adopt when one is reached by this dermatosis?
The black, dark and mixed skins have particular specificities, which it is obviously necessary to take into account to fight effectively against the appearance of new plates.
Cleaning must be gentle. To avoid excessive dehydration, showers should be preferred to baths with warm water, around 34°C.
For soaps, it is important to use non-aggressive agents: syndets, lotions or shower oils are a good choice. Finally, to scrub, the hand will be softer than a glove. For children, it is recommended to give a shower only every other day, except for the face and intimate parts which should be cleaned daily.