Unique Characteristics of Southern Asian, Eastern Asian, Indian Skin

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Characteristics of Asian Skin

ASIAN SKIN
Asian skin is very sensitive. It discolors quickly and scars easily because of active melanin and hyper pigmentation. Because your skin is paper-thin, minor trauma causes deep full thickness injury to the layers of the skin. This may result in hyperpigmentation.

Brown skin, Black skin, Yellow skin and all the shades between. That diversity makes our society so appealing. In Souther Asia, India has been referred to as a melting pot of skin tones with the native inhabitants of Northern India having lighter skin tones compared to the darker skin tones of Southern India and Sri Lanka. Indian skin is a prime example of the differences skin types that require differing care strategies within the same race. 

Those differences in brown, yellow and black skin types present unique challenges that may be managed successfully when carefully considered. As co-founder of Shanti Medspa at The Institute for Advanced Skincare and Optimal Health, we recognize the need to celebrate our unique differences.

To achieve this goal, we carry unique skincare products and skincare lasers which permit treatment of these distinct differences. Our ability to treat brown skin, black skin or yellow skin is enhanced by these special tools. At Shanti Medspa at The Institute for Advanced Skincare, we are consistently able to treat these skin types safely and effectively

The Pigmentation in skin provides unique protection to the yellow, brown or black skin tone.

The presence of pigment is protective from the damaging effects of the sun. Brown, yellow and black skin types are also resistant to some of the wrinkle creating affects of sun exposure. Some common skin cancer types are relatively speaking, less common in brown skin, yellow skin or black skin individuals.

The Pigmentation in brown, black or yellow skin does respond to injury and stress in a slightly different manner. Lets look at the common disorder of acne. Over 60% of individuals suffer from some bout of acne after the age of 20. For most, it may be an occurrence that decreases in frequency with age, however the acute phase of acne may be physically and emotionally diconcerting. Black skin, brown skin and yellow skin tones respond to skin injury associated with acne differently. These skin types frequently develop hyperpigmentation as a response to acne injury. The hyperpigmentation/discoloration may be associated with acne scarring.

Our Pixel Resurfacing Laser is perfectly suited for the treatment of discoloration, hyperpigmentation, fine line and acne scarring. Another option for acne vulgaris or pustular acne is ALA (Amino levulonic Acic). Frequently, ALA allows us to get control over the acute acne flare in black skin, bron skin or yellow skin tones.

The most important means of avoiding the development of acne discoloration or hyperpigmentation is the aggressive treatment of bouts of acne. The common problem of acne treatment regimens is the propensity to over dry the skin. Poor hydration and drying of yellow skin, brown skin or black skin can worsen acne scarring and lead to more hyperpigmentation and discoloration. Its a viscious cycle. At The Institute, our Clear Skin System provides the appropriate balance of acne fighting treatment and moisturizing protection.  

At The Institute for Advanced Skincare, we recognize that no two skin types are ever alike. Our highly trained staff are experts in carefully identifying your skin type by our detailed Clear Skin System evaluation. It's our promise to you. So, if you have had failed at controlling your acne, please fill out our online acne questionnaire and submit it to get prompt, no obligation expert advice from our acne team. Dont let embarrassing Acne prevent you from living the life you want.

Get a free, no-obligation online consultation regarding your individual skincare concerns. Let our physician create a regimen that will address your unique concerns.

Characteristics of Asian Skin

The characteristics of aging in Asian skin are closely tied to the ancestry of the individual. There are several scientific studies from Asia that discuss the most prominent features of aging in various Asian populations. Several of these studies demonstrate discolorations as a major component of photoaging (aging due to the sun). These pigmentation problems include dark discolorations on the face, sun spots or liver spots (solar lentigines), and brown warty-growths (seborrheic keratoses). There are other studies that demonstrate wrinkling as a prominent feature of aging in the Asian population.

Dr. Goh studied a population of 1500 Chinese, Indonesians and Malaysians with brown skin who lived in Singapore. A prominent feature of aging in this population was increased pigmentation. However, unlike caucasian skin, coarse and fine wrinkles were not a prominent feature, and when they occured the individuals were well advanced in age.

The characteristics of aging in a population of 407 Korean men and women, who were ages 30-92 years old, was studied by Dr. Chung. He identified wrinkling and discolorations as the primary characteristics of aging in this population. The number of wrinkles increased as the age of the individual increased and as the individual spent more time in the sun. Wrinkles occurred in 19.2% of Koreans who spent 1-2 hours per day in the sun as compared to 64.6% of Koreans who spent more than 5 hours per day in the sun. There was a greater risk for the development of wrinkles in women than in men. Dr. Chung also reported that discolorations were another prominent feature of aging in the Korean population. The discolorations appeared as two distinct types: either dark spots on skin exposed to the sun and/or warty-growths called seborrheic keratoses. In Koreans greater than 60 years of age, seborrheic keratoses were more common in men than in women. In those 50 years and older, dark spots were found more frequently in women than in men. Women in their 30s began with an average of 4.3 dark spots on their skin, which increased to 23.5 by 70 years of age and 25.1 by 90 years old. With regard to both wrinkles and dyspigmentation, increased severity became apparent at 50 years of age. The effect of excessive sun exposure in those individuals that smoked cigarettes was dramatically multiplied.

Dr. Kwon in another study of the Korean population, reported that seborrheic keratoses on the face and the backs of the hands increased by age with 78.9% of Korean males having seborrheic keratoses at age 40, 93.9% at age 50 and 98.7% at 60 years and older. The mean overall prevalence of seborrheic keratoses in this study population was 88.1%. Both chronological aging and cumulative sun exposure were independent variables for the development of these seborrheic keratoses.

A study by Dr. Kotrajaras from Thailand, demonstrated very dramatic aging of the skin of individuals who had spent many hours in the sun. The onset of the aging changes occurred at age 40. The skin was deeply discolored and had both fine and deep wrinkles.

Bottom Line
As you can see, the manifestations of aging in Asian skin vary according to the ancestry of the individual as well as sun exposure. The most prominent features of aging in Asians are discolorations of the skin and benign growths, seborrheic keratosis. However, wrinkling, both fine and coarse wrinkling can also occur in Asian skin.