Asian skin may benefit from a combination of laser and non-invasive treatments like chemical peels, RF Microneedling, IPL, topical medications and topical lasers that use Q-switched laser technology for pigmentation reduction. Such lasers are known for lightening sun spots and other forms of discoloration effectively.
Other techniques for pigment removal may include using bleaching creams or retinoids regularly to promote new skin growth and suppress melanin formation.
Laser Treatments
Asian skin may be known for its porcelain doll-like complexion, yet it may still be vulnerable to pigmentation and discoloration. Melanocytes – cells responsible for producing pigment and helping maintain an even skin tone – may become overstimulated due to inflammation, acne, hormonal fluctuations or simply getting older, leading them to produce too much melanin that causes dark spots or other discolorations on the surface of their skin.
Now, thanks to advances in skin-lightening technology, it is possible to reduce dark marks and improve skin tone without resorting to bleaching creams that may cause irritation. A few key treatments will help you achieve the results you are after:
Laser treatments may be one of the best options available to Asian skin to address hyperpigmentation and melasma, however it’s essential that you visit a specialist who uses high-quality equipment approved for use on darker skin tones. At Este Medical we ensure each laser we offer has been rigorously tested to be safe for all skin types.
Nonablative laser treatment works by passing over the outer layers of skin and targeting only inner layers where pigment concentration occurs, without harming any of these outer layers. Instead, this treatment merely targets pigment molecules which will then be broken down by your body into waste products that can be eliminated naturally by your system. Nonablative lasers are safer for people with darker skin tones as compared to ablation treatments which may lead to pigmentation irregularities (PIH).
Chemical peels can help clear away dead skin cells and promote cell turnover to reveal fresh, smoother skin. A chemical peel may be used alone or combined with noninvasive therapies like microdermabrasion or IPL. If your treatment plan includes deep peels, however, be sure to discuss sun protection measures with your physician in order to avoid hyperpigmentation or discoloration during recovery.
IPL (intense pulsed light) laser therapy is a noninvasive solution to all forms of skin pigmentation, from brown spots, blotches and redness. IPL works by emitting wavelengths across its spectrum in short bursts to target pigmentation directly and damage cells that contain its molecules.
Chemical Peels
Chemical peels are another popular solution for Asian skin pigmentation issues, serving to penetrate both epidermis and dermis layers to effectively address melanin pigment. A chemical solution used during a peel targets nerve endings, sweat glands, and hair follicles; disrupting their structure so as to deprive melanin-rich cells of melanin pigment. Once damaged cells have been eliminated from your system naturally regenerate new healthy tissue replacing damaged ones.
Different kinds of peels can help address various skin problems, from acne to wrinkles. Salicylic acid peels are great at targeting blackheads, oily skin and congestion; glycolic and lactic acids work better at providing overall skin rejuvenation and cleansing of pores; AHA peels also offer great solutions for reducing fine lines and wrinkles while brightening complexion and shrinking pores.
Before your treatment, ensure your face is cleansed using non-residue soap and moisturized with light cream. Make sure your practitioner knows if you have sensitive skin, are taking medications or have had previous procedures on it. Suitable eyewear must be worn for deeper peels while neutral paste will be applied around their perimeter as protection from further inflammation. In addition, relaxing medications or anti-inflammatories may be given beforehand to further ease anxiety levels during the procedure.
Chemical peels are generally safe, but to maximize safety it is crucial that you find a practitioner with extensive experience performing the type of peel you desire. Look for someone listed on an approved register demonstrating they meet set standards of training, skill and insurance coverage so as to lower the risk of complications.
Chemical peels tend to work best on lighter-skinned patients due to the greater potential for aesthetic side effects in darker skin tones, including an abrupt change in tone after the peel. Darker-skinned patients may still benefit from chemical peels depending on what problem is being treated; deep wrinkles, for instance, may not respond as effectively and would likely require another approach such as facelifting or filler injections instead.
Topical Medications
Hyperpigmentation is a skin condition which results in uneven skin tones. It may be brought on by various factors including sun exposure, hormonal shifts, inflammation or certain medications; or as the result of genetic disease or trauma to the skin.
Asian skin phototypes are especially prone to pigmentation problems due to how their bodies produce and absorb pigments, as well as having larger sebaceous glands which produce excess body oil that leads to acne scarring and can even result in scarring itself. Therefore, it is crucial for them to apply sunscreen daily and limit sun exposure as much as possible.
Treatments for Asian skin hyperpigmentation may include topical creams, chemical peels and laser therapies – these methods have proven to be successful at eliminating or diminishing existing spots and dark patches and can be used alone or combined with other procedures.
Chemical peels can remove the upper layer of skin that has become discolored from unwanted pigmentation, while medical-grade peels use exfoliating acids to speed up its shedding process and promote new cell renewal. They also can reduce superficial epidermal pigmentation as well as freckles and blotches on your face.
Apart from chemical peels, laser treatments such as Fraxel and Piqo4 lasers may also help to address pigmentation problems. These lasers can help remove or minimise sun damage as well as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH).
Lightening serums offer another viable treatment option, featuring ingredients that inhibit enzymes that produce melanin while increasing skin turnover to minimize existing pigmentation. They are typically available at pharmacies as over-the-counter whitening products but can also be found through specialist clinics and with a valid prescription.
Compounding pharmacists specialize in creating topical medications to provide faster relief from hyperpigmentation than over-the-counter options, with appropriate concentration applied directly to the skin without going through liver metabolism and thus decreasing side effects and potential gastrointestinal upset.
RF Microneedling
RF microneedling is the safest and most effective treatment available for pigmentation on Asian skin. A painless nonsurgical procedure, it employs microneedles to create microscopic wounds in the top layers of skin before targeting radiofrequency energy directly at water molecules in these tiny needle holes – sparing other sensitive areas from damage and making this treatment suitable for all skin types – including those with darker tones and darker tans.
At an RF microneedling session, a technician will apply numbing cream to your face and neck before beginning. When your area has become numb, multiple microneedles will be moved across its affected areas several times before being stopped by any resistance from your microneedles.
As microneedles penetrate deeper, RF energy heats the skin and activates collagen production – helping reduce fine lines and wrinkles, tighten skin and minimize pores; reduce acne scarring; even out skin tone and scarring; eliminate acne scars and uneven tone. Microneedling with RF energy is particularly effective on darker skin types since there won’t be any unwanted hyperpigmentation or redness caused by it.
Uneven and excess melanin production is a common skin concern for darker complexions, often following injury such as sunburns or acne. Hormonal changes and ageing can also contribute to its formation, as can the breakdown of its natural barrier function caused by hormone fluctuations. Melanocytes regulate melanin production; when excess amounts are produced it may give skin an unnatural patchy or blotchy look.
Medical aesthetic practitioners employing various techniques can successfully treat various hyperpigmentation problems common among Asians, including melasma, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), freckles, Hori’s Nevus and solar lentigo. Treatment options available to them may include lasers, chemical peels or topical medications; all can provide effective solutions.
When treating hyperpigmentation, only qualified medical aesthetic practitioners should be used. Michele Green is an award-winning cosmetic dermatologist known for her experience treating all skin tones – including Asian. With her vast knowledge and MGSKINLABS products to aid her patients, Michele ensures safe and successful results for each one of her patients.
