What's the Best Way to Get Rid of Age Spots on Asian or Ethnic Skin?

Indeed most lasers are potentially harmful to darker skin. Skin coloration and age spots are made of a pigment called melanin. Melanin tends to absorb laser energy very easily. So patients who have more melanin (hence darker skin tone) will absorb more of the laser energy than those with very fair skin. 

This can pose the risk of overheating and scarring, which develops as a result.


However, there are some lasers that use very specific wavelengths which are relatively more resistant to being absorbed by melanin in the surrounding areas. They will target the problematic melanin in age spots, but not so much the melanin that gives your skin its color.


Fraxel Dual is an example of a laser that is actually very safe for ethnic skin. It uses the 1550nm wavelength and the 1927nm wavelength. When addressing age spots the 1550nm wavelength will break up the organelles in your skin containing the melanin.

And the remains are carried away by your lymphatic system. Here is a video of an Asian patient who underwent Fraxel Dual.

 

Fractional laser is an amazing and highly effective treatment in our office. We use the laser treatment to help with acne scars, large pores, fine wrinkles, tissue collagen loss, scars, sebaceous hyperplasia, active acne, and for brightening dark pigmentation. Although there are very strong fractional lasers such as CO2 laser, we use lighter treatments for corrective skincare and maintenance of results. Our Thulium fractional laser, clear and brilliant laser, and Ultra Thulium laser are excellent options in our clinic. We also perform CO2 fractional and erbium depending on skin tone and tolerance for downtime. Patients do have to use a Melarase cream before and after treatment to help further reduce pigmentation after laser. Dark spots can improve with these treatments. I recommend fractional laser for incisional scars as well, especially after plastic surgery.

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Thank you for your photo. I would use the Picoway Resolve on your skin to fair on the safe side. We do have a microfractional Co2 Laser which is lesser invasive than the fractional laser, but should require an in person consultation.  All the best.