INTRODUCTION
As the range of minimally invasive medical aesthetic treatments for facial rejuvenation has broadened over the past decade, so has their safety and applicability across a wider spectrum of skin types. Concurrently, demographic shifts in the U.S. and internationally have increased the racial and ethnic diversity of patient populations seeking aesthetic treatments. Over the past decade, the number of African American/Black patients receiving cosmetic procedures in the US increased by 76%, and in 2017 represented the second-greatest proportion of non-white cosmetic patients (9%) after Hispanic/Latinos (11%).1,2 Among aesthetic treatment options, there is an increasing trend toward minimally-invasive modalities (including injectable modalities) which has now grown to represent over 90% of all cosmetic procedures performed in the US.2 In addition, there is a much stronger emphasis on maintaining naturalness and preservation of ethnic characteristics with procedural outcomes. Racial and ethnic differences in skin type and facial structure impact the rate of photoaging and patterns of facial aging and contribute to different aesthetic concerns.3-5,7 Given that many published treatment algorithms are focused predominantly on facial aging patterns seen in populations of European ancestry, there remains a need to explore the aesthetic concerns and needs of African American/Black patients which are influenced by their skin biology, skin care needs and common anatomical features.3-5
The demographic terms “African American or Black†used by the U.S. Census Bureau encompasses multiple ethnicities, and in addition to African and Afro-Caribbean origins, this demographic may also be represented by a mixture of African, European, and Native American ancestry.6 Importantly, cultural influences also shape an individual’s perceptions of beauty, attitudes toward preserving aesthetic appearance, and the readiness to seek out interventional treatments.7 An understanding of not only the structural and cutaneous signs of aging but also treatment preferences and motivations reported by African Americans may help physicians in their selection of treatment plans focused on the goals and expectations of this patient population.
The demographic terms “African American or Black†used by the U.S. Census Bureau encompasses multiple ethnicities, and in addition to African and Afro-Caribbean origins, this demographic may also be represented by a mixture of African, European, and Native American ancestry.6 Importantly, cultural influences also shape an individual’s perceptions of beauty, attitudes toward preserving aesthetic appearance, and the readiness to seek out interventional treatments.7 An understanding of not only the structural and cutaneous signs of aging but also treatment preferences and motivations reported by African Americans may help physicians in their selection of treatment plans focused on the goals and expectations of this patient population.
