Treating acne in fair skin

Overview: Acne is an extremely common skin disorder in both Caucasian adolescents and adults. According to Cutis, a peer-reviewed clinical journal for dermatologists, "During visits by white patients, the...most common [diagnosis] recorded [was] acne." Upwards of 95% of Caucasian people experience acne at some point in their lives.

What is unique about white skin: People with lighter skin tend to have a higher incidence of nodules and cysts, the more severe types of acne lesions. Caucasian people also tend toward dryer skin, making drying and peeling medications sometimes more of a challenge. White people must also contend with more noticeable lesions when they do break out. The acute redness and inflammation that directly surround an acne lesion stand in stark contrast to light skin tones. However, when it comes to the red spots that acne leaves behind, white people tend to have less of a struggle. While white people do experience post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation—a fancy term for these marks—they experience them less often than their darker-skinned counterparts. Also, these marks tend to fade more quickly on lighter skin. However, while Caucasian people are blessed with more quickly fading hyperpigmentation, Caucasian skin, just like any other ethnicity, can scar.

How to treat acne in white skin: No matter the ethnicity, acne develops and is treated the same way, and with proper medication is easily treatable. Options include topical treatment as well as Accutane. From my own experience, proper application of generous amounts of 2.5% benzoyl peroxide is our best bet. I outline this regimen here on Acne.org.

The bottom line: Prevention is key. Preventing acne will not only improve quality of life, it will help prevent potential scarring.