Acne vulgaris in skin of color

In the 21st century, individuals with skin of color, including those of Hispanic, Asian, and African American descent, will account for more than half of the US population. Consequently, those individuals Will constitute a significant patient Population for the dermatology community. Dermatologists in major metropolitan centers as well as those in rural communities need to meet the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges posed by these patients by becoming familiar with dermatologic disease prevalence and presentation in skin of color. Commonly occurring cutaneous diseases, such as acne vulgaris, display histological and clinical differences in people with skin of color compared with Caucasians (whites). Additionally, the response to therapeutic agents may vary in people with skin of color. This article reviews data derived from a survey of skin of color patients With acne vulgaris seen at the Skin of Color Center, Department of Dermatology, St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital, in New York City, This information should help clinicians in their diagnosis and treatment of acne vulgaris for these patients.