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The Asian Dermatologic Patient

Review of Common Pigmentary Disorders and Cutaneous Diseases

  • Review Article
  • The Asian Dermatologic Patient
  • Published:
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The Asian patient with Fitzpatrick skin types III–V is rarely highlighted in publications on cutaneous disorders or cutaneous laser surgery. However, with changing demographics, Asians will become an increasingly important group in this context. Although high melanin content confers better photoprotection, photodamage in the form of pigmentary disorders is common. Melasma, freckles, and lentigines are the epidermal disorders commonly seen, whilst nevus of Ota and acquired bilateral nevus of Ota-like macules are common dermal pigmentary disorders. Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) occurring after cutaneous injury remains a hallmark of skin of color. With increasing use of lasers and light sources in Asians, prevention and management of PIH is of great research interest. Bleaching agents, chemical peels, intense pulsed light (IPL) treatments, and fractional skin resurfacing have all been used with some success for the management of melasma. Q-switched (QS) lasers are effective for the management of epidermal pigmentation but are associated with a high risk of PIH. Long-pulsed neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) lasers and IPL sources pose less of a PIH risk but require a greater number of treatment sessions. Dermal pigmentary disorders are better targeted by QS ruby, QS alexandrite, and QS 1064-nm Nd:YAG lasers, but hyper- and hypopigmentation may occur. Non-ablative skin rejuvenation using a combination approach with different lasers and light sources in conjunction with cooling devices allows different skin chromophores to be targeted and optimal results to be achieved, even in skin of color. Deep-tissue heating using radiofrequency and infra-red light sources affects the deep dermis and achieves enhanced skin tightening, resulting in eyebrow elevation, rhytide reduction, and contouring of the lower face and jawline. For management of severe degrees of photoaging, fractional resurfacing is useful for wrinkle and pigment reduction, as well as acne scarring.

Acne, which is common in Asians, can be treated with topical and oral antibacterials, hormonal treatments, and isotretinoin. Infra-red diode lasers used with a low-fluence, multiple-pass approach have also been shown to be effective with few complications. Fractional skin resurfacing is very useful for improving the appearance of acne scarring. Hypertrophic and keloid scarring, another common condition seen in Asians, can be treated with the combined used of intralesional triamcinolone and fluorouracil, followed by pulsed-dye laser. Esthetic enhancement procedures such as botulinum toxin type A and fillers are becoming increasingly popular. These are effective for rhytide improvement and facial or body contouring. We highlight the differences between Asian skin and other skin types and review conditions common in skin of color together with treatment strategies.

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Acknowledgments

No sources of funding were used to assist in the preparation of this review. Dr Chan has acted as a consultant to Palomar, Danish Dermatologic Development, and Thermage; has been an Advisory Board member for Laserscope, CureLight, Johnson & Johnson, and Galderma; has received clinical trial grants from Palomar, Danish Dermatologic Development, Candela, and Syneron Medical; and holds stock in Reliant Technologies and CureLight. Dr Ho has no conflicts of interest that are directly relevant to the content of this review.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, 13/F Club Lusitano, 16 Ice House Street, Central, Hong Kong SAR, China

    Stephanie G.Y. Ho &  Henry H.L. Chan

  2. Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

    Henry H.L. Chan

  3. Department of Dermatology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China

    Henry H.L. Chan

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  1. Stephanie G.Y. Ho
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  2. Henry H.L. Chan
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Correspondence to Henry H.L. Chan.

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Ho, S.G., Chan, H.H. The Asian Dermatologic Patient. Am J Clin Dermatol 10, 153–168 (2009). https://doi.org/10.2165/00128071-200910030-00002

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.2165/00128071-200910030-00002

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