(BlackDoctor.org) -- Does skin of color age differently? This is an interesting question, since most people do believe that Black skin "doesn't crack." In general, the process of aging for skin of color is indeed slower, and typical signs of aging, such as fine lines and wrinkles, tend to occur 15 to 20 years later than what is seen with other groups.
But this is not to say that Black skin doesn't show its age - it just shows it a little differently. So while my patients with darker skin may not complain as much about wrinkles and fine lines, they do discuss the following five issues that are associated with aging skin of color:
Flesh Moles Also known as dermatosis papulosa nigra (DPN), these are flesh colored bumps that start in late 20’s and early 30’s. Most people of color will develop these on their face, neck, chest and back. Patients will continue to grow them as they have more and more birthdays. While these these fleshy bumps are easily removed, removal will not prevent the growth of more moles.
Discoloration/Uneven Skin Tone This is a major issue for patients of color and can occur for many reasons. But
