ACNE IN BLACK WOMEN

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Author: Dr. Neil Persadsingh

Publisher: Dr. Neil Persadsingh

Reviewed by: Mary E. Shepherd, MD, PhD

Publication: Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology (Feb 2001)

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.

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Dr. Persadsingh has practised extensively in acne. He was trained at the University of the West Indies, Mona, graduating with an M.B.,B.S. in 1970. He did his post-graduate training at St. John's Hospital for Diseases of the Skin in London, graduating in 1975. He has worked in Canada, Trinidad and Jamaica. He is married and the father of four children.