ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION Acne is a common disorder affecting up to 45 million people in the United States (1) with a prevalence of 80% in people between 11 and 30 years of age and occurring in 5% of older adults.(2, 3) It is the skin disease most commonly treated by physicians (3) and occurs in people of all ethnicities and races. Currently it is accepted that the pathophysiology, presentation, and treatment of acne are similar in all skin phenotypes. However, acne in pigmented skin is distinguished by the higher incidence of postinflammatory hyperpigmentation and scarring. This chapter will focus on these two major acne sequelae occurring primarily in individuals of African descent.
