New Hyde Park, New York (PRWEB) May 16, 2009 — People of African, Asian, Latin and Native American backgrounds know that their skin, hair and nails are subject to conditions that do not affect lighter skinned people. “While most of these are not serious, they may be disturbing, troubling or unsightly,” says Joshua Fox, MD, a leading dermatologist, founder of Advanced Dermatology and an official spokesperson for the American Academy of Dermatology and the American Society of Dermatologic Surgery.

“Fortunately, your dermatologist is well acquainted with these conditions and can help people with dark skin to diagnose and treat their concerns early and quickly,” says Dr. Fox. He offers the following listing of the top skin conditions faced by people of color and how it differs from lighter-skinned individuals.

1. Acne - Many dark skinned women suffer from acne vulgaris, sometimes combined with hyper pigmentation, or skin darkening in spots or patches, which occurs in response to the outbreak of acne. Unlike fairer-skinned individuals, the discoloration plays an integral role in treatment. Surprisingly, these patients are more bothered by the discoloration than the acne itself. Treatments may include topical skin lightening creams for dark spots, sunscreen and topical, prescription acne medications. Read more »

Growing long curly hair takes more patience than growing straight hair. The curl shrinkage can make it difficult to determine the true hair length. Some curlies feel like their hair never grows. A few may be right because of breakage.
Can Curly Hair Grow Long?

Yes, curly hair can grow long just like any other hair type. On average, all hair grows half an inch a month. Curly hair can appear shorter because the strands curl up or appear to “shrink”, making the monthly growth less obvious. Curlies must gain at least a few inches before the curls appear longer.

Why Does Curly Hair Break Off Easily?

Curly hair is more fragile than straight or wavy hair because the cuticle naturally remains somewhat raised. When a hair cuticle is raised, the strand is more vulnerable to split ends and breakage.

According the curly hair expert Ouidad, the majority of curlies have fine hair. Fine hair is fragile and more prone to damage without the right care.

Unfortunately, many curlies believe they have coarse hair because the raised hair cuticle feels rough and frizzes issues. This leads to the use of harsh hair products for a stronger hair type.

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