South Asian Skin Structure and Pigmentation

South Asian (India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh) skin is brown color

In India itself, the brown skin tone varies from light maple cream to deep chocolate brown color. North Indians are slightly lighter skin than the South Indian because of the distance from the equator.

Skin Structure

The upper most layer of the skin is called Epidermis. It has melanocytes cells that contain Melanin that gives the skin its color. The outer layer (basal cells) rise to surface with dead cells and naturally discarded off.

Underneath the epidermis is the Dermis layer. Dermis contains blood, nerves, sweat and oil glands. The dermis is more hydrated than Caucasian skin. It is made up of elastin that gives us the suppleness, and collagen to give the strength.

Underneath the dermis, lies a layer of fatty tissues completing the structure.

Distribution of color (Pigmentation)

The skin color of Indians varies from Fair to Wheatish to Brown. The genitals, elbows, knees, and knuckles are always darker. Indian skin shares some similarities with Blacks, Japanese, Puerto Ricans, and Mexicans in United States. Let us start at the top. The area around eyes is darker, the gums around the teeth are darker. The middle of the chest is light and gets darker as one moves to the sides. The upper arms have Futcher's or Voight's lines separating inside lighter skin from the outside darker skin. The creases in the palm of the hand are dark lines (Makes it easier for the fortune tellers !!). The palms may have small holes with dark cores. The finger and toe nails have dark streaks running from the cuticles to the end of nails.

The latest study (Somani VK, Razvi F, Sita VV. Pigmentary demarcation lines over the face. Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol) has documented three distinct areas on the face of some of the Wheatish color Indians: a V-shape between the temple and eye, a W-shape between the temple and eye, and a band under the lower lip.

Pigment Disorders

Pigment disorders are not easily accepted in Indian society. The worst case is Leukoderma, and Vitiligo. If the melanocytes (cells that make melanin) are destroyed, it appears as 'white patches'. Some are born with these white patches known as Leukoderma. If these cells are destroyed after birth, they are referred to as Vitiligo. In India, they are called 'White leprosy'.

Women get worried with Melasma even when it is temporary during pregnancy.

Skin Bleaching Agents

Indian women get obsessed with even a tiny brown blotch which has not yet faded away after the pregnancy. Skin lightening creams have become the most significant products at beauty salons and in the homes. Some of these creams contain corticosteroids with severe side-effects. Bleaching agents include about 4% hydroquinone, Tretinoin, Retin-A.

The best natural skin lightening agent is fresh lime juice. Lime may be mixed with honey for dry skin, otherwise mixed with cucumber.

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