Characteristics and management of Asian skin

Abstract

Color differences in skin are due to the amount and distribution of epidermal melanin. The number of melanocytes is almost the same in all skin types, but higher phototypes exhibit more melanocytes, which produce more melanin and melanosomes that are individually distributed throughout the keratinocyte layers. This characteristic ensures a natural, significant photoprotection in darker skins. Asians are a population with various skin phototypes, ranging from type III to IV Fitzpatrick's classification in Chinese and Japanese to type IV and V in Indian and Pakistani people. Asian skin tends to present postinflammatory hyperpigmentation, melasma, lentigines and freckles, nevus of Ota, and Hori nevus. The main skin diseases reported in Asians are acne, atopic dermatitis, and viral infections. Wrinkles and skin thickness, early signs of aging in Caucasians, are less evident in Asian skin. However, pigmentary changes occur earlier. Additionally, this ethnic population is increasing worldwide. The aim of this study is to show the importance of studying the characteristics of Asian skin for the better management of skin diseases in this population, which are being increasingly observed in doctor's offices. Based on a broad review of the medical literature, we report the characteristics of Asian skin, as well as some dyschromias and common skin disorders in this ethnic group. The objective of the article is to study the characteristics of Asian skin and differences in relation to other ethnic groups to achieve improved clinical and cosmetic management of diseases and other skin disorders. This article will discuss the concept of beauty in different ethnic groups, treatments with lasers and other light sources, and cosmiatric treatments in Asian skin. An extensive review of the literature was performed using the databases Scielo and Bireme, from Medline and Lilacs sources, over the last 50 years. The keywords used were as follows: Asian skin, ethnic skin, melanin. Due to the peculiarities of each ethnic group, this article demonstrates the importance of studying the characteristics of Asian skin to elucidate improved cosmiatric approaches for these patients.