Cosmetic Pigmentary Concerns in Singaporeans (For Professionals)

Cosmetic Pigmentary Concerns in Singaporeans (For Professionals)

differences between Asian vs European skin (a/e):

• avoids sunlight / loves sunlight
• skin type III to VI / skin type I to III
• post inflammatory hyperpigmentation +++ / + or –
• solar induced changes + / +++
• Ageing:

1. wrinkling + / +++
2. pigmentation +++ / +
3. Telangiectasia + / ++

how to classify the lesions in an easy way:

• lentigines/ephelides
• dermal melanocytosis of Hori
• melasma superficial/deep.

• Most are a combination of the above three.

Which lasers for which condition:

• Lentigene: Q-Switched Nd-YAG or IPL
• Hori’s nevus: Q-switched Nd-YAG
• Melasma: no laser is really useful. Topical bleaching begin may help to improve the condition

Consultation process:

• define location of pigment
• define nature of pigment
• check if congenital vs acquired
• Give the EBM (evidence-based medicine) of lasers
• With the treatment, give topical adjuvants to prevent post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH)

Contributors:

Dr Christophe HSU – dermatologist. Geneva, Switzerland

Bibliography: Goh CL, The Many Faces of Asian Dermatology – 22nd World Congress of Dermatology (WCD) – Seoul, South Korea