Laser Treatment on Ethnic Skin

Patients with ethnic skin have specific challenges that make laser treatments particularly attractive options. At one time, limitations in laser technology increased the risk of permanent skin damage in patients with ethnic skin. People with this skin were therefore advised to avoid laser treatments.

Advances

Newer lasers provide a longer wavelength that penetrates deeper into the skin and provide aggressive cooling. This lowers the risk of post-inflammatory hyper pigmentation that is often experienced in patients with ethnic skin tones.

Hair Removal

There is high demand for permanent laser hair removal in patients with ethnic skin because they are prone to Pseudofolliculitis barbae, inflamed ingrown hair. In a study of 1,000 women of ethnic skin color at Laserex Skin & Cosmology Clinic in Lahore, Pakistan, 95 percent of patients experienced 70% to 80% in hair reduction.

Melasma

Specific types of lasers have been proven effective in the treatment of this skin disorder that disproportionately affects women with ethnic skin.

Keloids

Laser surgery is used to remove this type of scar, which is more common in certain ethnic groups of dark skin color. Recurrence is reported in many cases, however.

Precautions

Classifying skin type and selecting the appropriate laser treatment is key in producing satisfactory results. The treatment should be administered by a physician skilled in the use of lasers and the treatment of ethnic skin.

References

• Dermatology Nursing; New Laser Techniques Advance Treatment of Ethnic and Black Skin; Rachel Franz; April 1, 2001
• Lumenis, Inc.
• American Health and Beauty