5 Psoriasis Treatments Black Sufferers Should Avoid

A chronic autoimmune condition impacting the skin, psoriasis can be quite an unsightly eyesore. But did you know that psoriasis may present much differently in darker skin? While red scaly patches are the typical manifestation, these scales may actually look purple, brown, or silvery in Black patients. Science doesn’t lie. The physiology of Black skin — from its structural characteristics to its biochemistry — requires a unique approach to treatment. Lighter-skinned individuals face different symptoms, presentations, and clinical outcomes than many darker-skinned patients. Given these unique challenges, Black psoriasis sufferers should know exactly which treatments work and which don’t.  Let’s cover five psoriasis treatments that all Black individuals with psoriasis should avoid, based on the research. 1. Hydroquinone A common ingredient in skin-lightening creams, hydroquinone is applied to treat all kinds of skin conditions. Whether it’s used to fade age spots, treat melasma, or address post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), hydroquinone has many applications.  However, this broad-spectrum ingredient has a drawback. While it is useful for lightening skin, this can cause pronounced issues in darker skin. Many Black psoriasis sufferers struggle with post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation — dark spots remaining after lesions heal.  Unfortunately, hydroquinone may worsen this condition. In darker skin, the ingredient...