New JDD Study Explores Aesthetic Motivations of African American Women

A new survey-based study published in Journal of Drugs in Dermatology examines the cosmetic concerns, motivations, and skincare behaviors that shape the aesthetic journey of African American (AA) women, highlighting hair loss and hyperpigmentation as leading priorities in this population.

The Institutional Review Board (IRB)-approved, single-center study surveyed 144 AA women aged 20 to 80 years from Maryland and Washington, DC, between September 2021 and January 2022. More than half of respondents (53.5%) were between 41 and 60 years of age, and nearly two-thirds (65.3%) reported a history of dermatologic or cosmetic procedures. Among those without prior procedures, 24% indicated willingness to pursue one.

Primary motivations for seeking aesthetic care were internally driven, with respondents citing reduction of visible aging (62.5%), maintaining appearance as part of their lifestyle (50.0%), and improved self-confidence (43.8%). External influences, including social media and recommendations from others, were reported far less frequently. Hair loss emerged as the most commonly reported cosmetic concern (54.2%), followed by dark spots (51.4%), unwanted facial hair (49.3%), dark circles (45.1%), and uneven skin tone (43.8%).

Skincare was viewed as a critical component of aesthetic maintenance. Nearly 60% of respondents reported using anti-aging products, and half believed such products should be initiated before age 30. Most participants (61.8%) reported using or planning to use skincare products to maintain results from cosmetic procedures. While sunscreen use was high overall (80%), more than one-third of respondents expressed dissatisfaction with available products, most commonly due to poor shade matching and white cast.

According to the authors, these findings suggest that hair loss and facial hyperpigmentation may serve as important entry points into aesthetic care for AA women and underscore opportunities for innovation in both procedural and skincare solutions tailored to this population.

“The results of this study highlight the differences in cosmetic concerns in African American women compared with other ethnic groups and represent an untapped market for innovation in cosmetic procedures,” the authors concluded.