Eat your way to healthy skin

Good-looking skin has a lot to do with genetics, lifestyle and the skin care products an individual uses. However, what you eat can affect more than your waistline - it can also give you a brighter, more even complexion.

On the Huffington Post's Health blog, Marcelle Pick, OB-GYN, said that eating a diet rich in vitamins and antioxidants can help keep blemishes at bay and also brighten skin.

Whole foods like citrus fruits, berries, leafy greens, nuts, seeds, fish and herbs all contain the nutrients necessary for a healthy glow. Additionally, those seeking a more youthful look should look for food and supplements containing vitamins C and E, beta carotene, coenzyme Q-10, alpha-lipoic acid, dimethylaminoethanol, carotenoids and flavinoids, Pick suggested.

WebMD reports that low-fat dairy products can promote healthy skin since they are rich in vitamin A, and yogurt contains probiotics that may also help an individual glow.

Green tea contains polyphenols that may help prevent skin cancer, the source reports. The drink also has anti-inflammatory properties that can soothe redness.

Last, but certainly not least, those wanting better skin should be sure to drink plenty of water to keep hydrated and flush harmful toxins from the body.  

Hyperpigmentation may be easily treated

Patches or spots of dark skin known as hyperpigmentation can lead to an uneven skin tone and embarrassment, but they do not usually indicate more serious conditions and are often easily treated with liberal use of sunscreen and fade cream for black skin.

Causes of hyperpigmentation include inflammation, reactions to certain medications and excessive sun exposure. Additionally, hormonal changes - like those experienced during pregnancy - can lead to a condition known as melasma, which manifests itself as patches of darker skin.

Those who experience dark spots may want to consider avoiding the sun and using skin products for black women to even out skin tone.

While hyperpigmentation is not usually the sign of illness, it's important to consult your doctor or dermatologist if discoloration becomes a major concern, if the patches are persistent and unexplained, or if it appears that the spots are actually lesions that change shape or color, since this may be a sign of skin cancer.

By contrast, hypopigmentation occurs when the patches appear to be lighter than the rest of the skin. Causes and treatments are similar to those of hyperpigmentation.  

Cosmetic tips for dark-skinned beauties

Today, women with ethnic skin tones have many options when it comes to cosmetics, so it may be time to re-visit the rules for choosing products for African American skin.

Makeup expert Byron Barnes, of Iman Cosmetics, told Ladies' Home Journal that while it was once thought that darker skin has red undertones and therefore women should choose foundation with the same hues, many women with deep complexions actually have yellow or golden undertones. Foundation should only be used if an individual has uneven skin or dark spots to conceal, and powder varieties may work best, Barnes said.

Old school beliefs that those with dark skin need brightly colored blush are also outdated, according to the expert. Instead of oranges and fuchsias, African American women may want to opt for more natural-looking blush or bronzer.

For a fresh look, Barnes also recommended trying forest green or navy blue eyeliner accompanied by glossy lips.

Younger African American women may want to take advice from TeenVogue experts. In an article, their sources said shimmery, golden earth tones usually flatter ethnic skin. Instead of matte, opaque lipstick, the magazine suggested trying sheer lip tones in coral, caramel and berry hues.  

Treating acne scars on African American skin

Pimples and blemishes are bad enough when newly formed, but they have the added unfortunate effect of leaving behind scars that can last even longer than the original bout of acne.

To make matters even worse, risks of certain types of scars are five to 15 times higher in African Americans, and people of Asian descent are at a 3- to 5-fold increased chance of scarring from acne and blemishes, according to DermaNetwork.org. Individuals with ethnic skin are also more likely to experience post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, the source reported.

The good news is that these scars and conditions are treatable.

For raised scars, a dermatologist may recommend microdermabrasion, laser resurfacing, chemical peels or other in-office treatments. Severe, recurring hypertrophic scars may require topical or injected steroids administered by a healthcare professional.

Individuals with scars that are mere discolorations may have an easier time helping the dark spots fade. Livestrong.com recommends regular use of over-the-counter products for African American skin that can help to even out discolored areas.

Since excess sun can worsen scars, individuals should always wear sunscreen, especially when spending time outdoors.