Laser Resurfacing: Q&A

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Best Laser Resurfacing Treatment for Asian Skin?

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Asian ethnic
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5 Doctor Answers | Asked by hana in tx
+4

Non-ablative fractional Erbium Laser Resurfacing is safer for Asian skin

The main risks of laser resurfacing Asian skin is the risk of post inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) and eventual hypopigmentation. CO2 lasers have a greater risk of post inflammatory hyperpigmentation and hypopigmentation than do Erbium lasers. Flat beam lasers have more risk of PIH and hypopigmentation than do fractional lasers. Ablative lasers generally have more risk of PIH and hypopigmentation than do non-ablative lasers. Therefore, if you need laser resurfacing I would use low... more
+3

There are different ways to treat Asian skin

Asian skin and other ethnic skin varieties are more likely to develop sun spots vs wrinkles. This is in contrast to caucasians. This predilection is related to varying degrees of skin color. People of color typically have different risks when it comes to anything done on their skin. They are more likely to get darker after any manipulation of their skin so you have to be very careful with ethnic skin. In general, I approach Asian skin conservatively. Laser resurfacing can be done, but the... more
+3

Experience more important than the laser!

Treating ethnic skin for scar, wrinkles or pigmentation issues is very demanding. You will want to work with either a dermatologist or plastic surgeon who has experience treating such skin types. You need to be extra concerned about the risk of burns and bad scar formation. In general, I always start with a low dose, test patch. I typically use a variety of topical medications to enhance the results and protect the skin. Remember, experience is far more important than the system!... more

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+3

It depends on what you are treating scarring or fine lines

It all depends on the level of scarring or fine lines. Textural changes do not need as much energy as deeper scars. All treatments have a risk of increasing Asian skin pigmentation and this can last for many months to more than a year, but usually is reduced with time and prescription creams.
+1

Best laser resurfacing treatment for Asian skin

The laser is only as good as the doctor using it. The most important part of choosing a procedure for a patient is to be evaluated by an experienced and knowledgeable dermatologist who discuss with the patient the areas of concern and what are the best options for treating those problems. If it does turn out that resurfacing is the best option, then there are many things to consider such as: How much downtime can you afford? What is your pain tolerance? Do you... more
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Comments (1)

I had laser skin resurfacing in October for acne scars. My doctor said she used erbium on my cheek where I had deeper scars and fraxel for the rest of my face. I was pretreated with hydroquinone to prevent hyperpigmentation which I was really concerned about. It's been 3 months and what a rough recovery. I did not expect the downtime to be so long. Going into it she said I would be presentable in a month. WRONG!The most troublesome side effects were redness and hyperpigmentation. Redness all over my face but especially on my cheeks and brownish discoloration on my cheeks,temples and mostly where she used the Erbium. I followed the after care instructions: wore sunscreen, stayed out of the sun and had to wear make up (which is very distressing for a guy). To say that it was very disruptive to my social and recreational life is an understatement. Long story short, it's been 3 months and while the redness started to subside, it was blotchy. I was more red in areas where she really went deep. The hyperpigmentation got lighter but still obvious. I was so sick of it so I consulted another clinic and they recommended Mealanage peel. It's been a week after the peel and so far I'm it looks like I will be HAPPY with the results. It did not hurt, but the first 3 days I was peeling like crazy and very red. This made me feel rather depressed and worried that I would have to go through more downtime. BUT after that the redness lessened and I could tell the brown discoloration has lightened significantly. I'm still peeling minimally and continuing with the creams they gave me. The results take up to 8 weeks for full effect. I'm very satisfied with the results so far. My skin looks more even, the pores are much smaller and the discoloration is lighter. In hindsight I'm still not sure if the laser surgery was worth the downtime. The scars have gotten shallower and my doctor says benefits from laser continue up to 6 months. I am certain though that I would not want to relive the past 3 months.
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These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.

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