Ethnic differences in skin structure

There is little consensus about differences in skin structure between ethnic groups. It is commonly thought that Afro-Caribbean skin is drier than Caucasian skin. Researchers differ in their views on this. Wesley and Maibach (2003) found that there was greater transepidermal water loss in black skin whereas Grimes et al. (2004) found that there was no difference. Both authors agreed, however, that there was no difference in the water content of the epidermis. One explanation as to why it is commonly thought that black skin is drier than white skin is that when skin cells shed, they are more noticeable against black skin than white, giving an ‘ashy’ tone to the skin. What does seem to be true is that desquamation is greater in black skin than white skin (up to 2.5 times) (Wesley and Maibach, 2003).

There is debate, also, around whether black skin has a higher pH than white skin. Wesley and Maibach (2003) arguing it is the case and Grimes et al. (2004) that it is not. One suggested mechanism for a higher skin pH in people with black skin is that they have more active apocrine glands, the secretions from these may explain a more acidic skin pH.

Whilst keloid scarring occurs in all racial groups, it is more common in those of Afro-Caribbean descent. Afro-Caribbean men are more likely to suffer from ingrown hairs following shaving. The hair follicle is curved and as the hair (which has been made pointy by shaving) grows, it is more likely to grow back into the skin, thus causing an inflammatory reaction; this may be misdiagnosed as acne. It is known as pseudofolliculitis barbae. Post-inflammatory and/or post-traumatic hyperpigmentation is more commonly seen in darker skins. This will usually fade, but may be the source of considerable concern.

Subcutis
Lying beneath the dermis, this layer of fat provides padding and insulation. It varies in its thickness across the body, and this varies depending on the sex of an individual. Women tend to have thicker fat layers around the hips and bottom whereas men tend to develop it around their abdomen.

Appendageal structures
Whilst these emerge from the skin through the epidermis and are considered epidermal appendages, most of them lie within the dermis or the subcutis. As such they include hair, nails, sebaceous and sweat glands.