Enhancing the care and treatment of skin of color, part 2: understanding skin physiology.

Cutaneous diseases in patients with skin of color frequently present differently than in individuals with white skin. Increased understanding of skin physiology including skin lipids and barrier function, as well as documentation of common issues such as ashy skin, has been the focus of researchers. New insights into the effects of UV radiation in skin of color and the increasing incidence of malignant melanoma heighten awareness of the need for new initiatives directed at education and further research, despite previous views about photoprotection for this population.