“Black don't crack.” “Black people don’t need sunscreen.” “Black people can't get skin cancer because we have melanin.” As a black woman and experienced licensed aesthetician, I can’t tell you how many times I have had to educate my clients, family, and friends of all races, but specifically my black clients, about the skin myths in our communities. They are hurting us beyond measure. I give the example of Bob Marley’s death; he had a very aggressive form of melanoma that affects people of color primarily. Being that he is from Jamaica, it’s possible and probable that he didn’t realize that the sun he loved so much was harming his skin due to a lack of knowledge around skin health and sun damage. Studies have shown that people of color have the lowest survival rate for melanoma of any racial group, which is why we need more professionals of color practicing aesthetics, and that begins with educating the black community.

HYPERPIGMENTATION & DARK SKIN

What is hyperpigmentation and why is it so common in darker skin types? Hyperpigmentation is the excess production of melanin that becomes more noticeable with exposure to the sun. It is more of a problem in darker skin, I believe, because people of color have been given misinformation, or no information at all, about the sun, melanin, and black skin. Therefore, they often do not take measures to prevent hyperpigmentation. Studies have shown that black people are not warned as much as other racial communities to wear sunscreen, and it is no secret that we have not received the best medical care compared to others. Dermatology and aesthetics are no different. If perpetuated and left unhandled, myths like black people don’t need sunscreen can be the rise of more cases of skin cancer.

PROFESSIONALS’ RESPONSIBILITY

What can we do as professionals to change the narrative of these skin myths? Professionals of all races and ethnicities have a duty to stay well informed and educated on all skin and should do more to change the skin narrative, especially when not doing so can result in major consequences for black, indigenous, and people of color. As professionals, our clientele should be inclusive and diverse so that we are gaining an extensive knowledge of all skin colors and types and how different conditions and disorders affect them.

Studying and choosing the right product line for my practice has helped me gain so much more knowledge in melanin production and alteration; knowledge that is invaluable in the fight for equal treatment of dark skin in the aesthetic environment.

The dangerous lack of knowledge and misinformation surrounding skin health and sun damage is an issue that impacts everyone but is especially detrimental to the darker skin community. Spreading this information is important to implement a shift in the aesthetic industry towards a more well-rounded and accessible space for anyone.

References:

1. NCI Dictionary of Cancer terms. National Cancer Institute. (n.d.). Retrieved March 17, 2022, from http://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/hypopigmentation
2. Bob Marley should not have died from melanoma. The Skin Cancer Foundation. (2022, February 18). Retrieved March 17, 2022, from https://www.skincancer.org/blog/bob-marley-should-not-have-died-from-melanoma/
3. Licensed esthetician demographics and statistics ... - zippia. (n.d.). Retrieved March 17, 2022, from https://www.zippia.com/licensed-esthetician-jobs/demographics/
4. Bryn Mawr Communications. (n.d.). Diversity and inclusion in dermatology: The impact of systemic racism in dermatology and opportunities for change. Practical Dermatology. Retrieved March 17, 2022, from https://practicaldermatology.com/articles/2021-mar-supplement/diversity-and-inclusion-in-dermatology-the-impact-of-systemic-racism-in-dermatology-and-opportunities-for-change