Microsoft Word - July 2020 - COMP 721 - proof - returned.docx


SKIN 
	

July 2020     Volume 4 Issue 4 
 

Copyright 2020 The National Society for Cutaneous Medicine 391 

COMPELLING COMMENTS 
 

 
To Our Brown Skin Girls 
 
Padmavathi V. Karri, BSW1, Datonye O. Charles, MD1, Brina V. Bui, MD1 
 
1UTHealth McGovern Medical School, Houston, TX 
 

	
Melanocytes are a type of skin cell in the 
epidermis that produce melanin, which is what 
gives skin its color. The more melanin 
someone has the darker their skin. Far too 
often darker skin is thought to be unattractive 
or of lesser value.1 The alarming number of 
skin lighteners and bleaching treatments in 
Asian and African cultures are proof of skin 
color hierarchy.1,2 In 2017, the global skin-
lightening industry was worth several billions 
with as much as 61% of women in India use 
skin-lightening cream and 77% in Nigeria.1–3 
Instead of pointing fingers at those choosing 
to lighten their complexion, we must instead 
bring awareness and change to the society 
that discriminates against darker skin.  
 
In recent years multiple social media 
movements have made strides to dismantle 
the notion brown is not beautiful. Popular 
Instagram hashtags to celebrate dark skin are 
“melaninpoppin”, “melaninqueen”, and 
“blackgirlmagic” with over 20 million tags. 
Most recently, Beyoncé’s song “Brown Skin 
Girl” celebrates the enormous beauty inherent 
in brown and black skin that is often maligned 
and overlooked—this message is one that can 
be amplified by physicians.  
 
Dermatologists have a unique and relevant 
role in supporting patients in their journey to 
love the shade of their skin. An essential part 
of that is preventing and stopping unsafe skin  
 
 

 
lightening and bleaching practices. These 
colorism-promoting products are a public 
health concern as they propagate an 
unhealthy obsession to chase fairer skin using 
dangerous, unregulated ingredients.1,3 Our 
population is more diverse than ever, and the 
messaging and language dermatologists 
employ in their practice can empower and 
influence patients’ perceptions of what it 
means to have beautiful, healthy skin.   
 
Conflict of Interest Disclosures: None 
 
Funding: None 
 
Corresponding Author: 
Padmavathi V. Karri 
UTHealth McGovern Medical School 
6431 Fannin Street  
Houston, TX 77030 
Phone: 469-939-8673 
Email: padmavathi.v.karri@uth.tmc.edu  
	
References 
1. Shroff H, Diedrichs PC, Craddock N. Skin Color, 

Cultural Capital, and Beauty Products: An 
Investigation of the Use of Skin Fairness 
Products in Mumbai, India. Front Public Heal. 
2018. doi:10.3389/fpubh.2017.00365 

2. Sagoe D, Pallesen S, Dlova NC, Lartey M, 
Ezzedine K, Dadzie O. The global prevalence 
and correlates of skin bleaching: a meta-analysis 
and meta-regression analysis. Int J Dermatol. 
2019. doi:10.1111/ijd.14052 

3. Akiibinu MO, Bob Soile O, Akinade LE, Akiibinu 
SO. Levels of Toxic Metals in Skin Lightening 
Agents Commonly Used in Lagos, Nigeria. J Adv 
Chem. 2019. doi:10.24297/jac.v16i0.8317