J&J Conducts Forum on Skin of Color

Moderator Warren Wallo, associate director of scientific affairs, Johnson & Johnson Consumer Products Company, welcomed Marta Rendon, MD, clinical associate professor of dermatology, University of Miami School of Medicine; Heather Woolery-Lloyd, MD, director of ethnic skin care, University of Miami Cosmetic Center; Rebat Halder, MD, professor and chairman, department of dermatology, Howard University Hospital; and Jeanine Downie, MD, assistant attending physician, Mountainside and Overlook Hospital, in a presentation titled, “Key Insights on Women With Skin of Color.”

Rendon addressed “Anti-aging: Dispelling Myths and Legends,” emphasizing the intrinsic factors, such as those birth characteristics and the extrinsic factors, for example, UVB and UVA radiation effects, geography, and environmental damage, and their affects on the way skin ages. She cited the appearance of deeper nasolabial folds, hollowness around the eyes and pigmentary alterations among the most prominent signs affecting women of color as they age; and discussed some of the new soy products being found to be particularly good for ethnic skin and pigmentary alterations.

Woolery-Lloyd zeroed in on sun protection, noting that ultraviolet light is the culprit, causing inflammation and collagen breakdown, and recommending some of the new ingredients such as feverfew extract and soy isoflavones for skin tone and texture. She noted in particular that black skin overexpresses melanin in the summer.

Halder addressed “Pigmentation: the Beauty Marks,” noting that pigmentary disorders in skin of color is the third most common concern reported by black, Hispanic and Asian individuals. He addressed melanocyte differences, skin sensitivity and exaggerated responses to skin incidents, and discussed the increased use of natural ingredients as skin lighteners and brighteners, including kojic acid, a natural product derived from a fungus, as well as the inhibition of melanosome transfer via soy proteins. He cited some ingredients in Ambi products, including vitamins A, C and E to lighten skin pigments; and the effect of feverfew, contained in Aveeno Ultra Calming Daily Moisturizer, to calm inflammation.

Finally, Downie, addressed “Eczema: Soothing the Itch,” which she noted affects 35–40 million Americans, and causes severe pain and intense itch. Triggers for eczema include extremes of temperature, emotions, excessively dry skin, irritants and allergies, with a higher incidence in skin of color.

Aveeno’s Eczema Care Moisturizing Cream and Eczema Care Body Wash launched last month, and are formulated with active naturals, including ceramides and colloidal, shown to improve the symptoms of eczema.

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