Refining the Ideas of "ethnic" Skin

Overview

Journal An Bras Dermatol

Specialty Dermatology

Date 2017 May 25

PMID 28538883

Citations 8

Authors

Vicente Torres

Maria Isabel Herane

Adilson Costa

Jaime Piquero Martin

Patricia Troielli

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Skin disease occur worldwide, affecting people of all nationalities and all skin types. These diseases may have a genetic component and may manifest differently in specific population groups; however, there has been little study on this aspect. If population-based differences exist, it is reasonable to assume that understanding these differences may optimize treatment. While there is a relative paucity of information about similarities and differences in skin diseases around the world, the knowledge-base is expanding. One challenge in understanding population-based variations is posed by terminology used in the literature: including ethnic skin, Hispanic skin, Asian skin, and skin of color. As will be discussed in this article, we recommend that the first three descriptors are no longer used in dermatology because they refer to nonspecific groups of people. In contrast, "skin of color" may be used - perhaps with further refinements in the future - as a term that relates to skin biology and provides relevant information to dermatologists.

Citing Articles

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