title: Theoretical review of the treatment of pigmented lesions in Asian skin.
abstract: Asian skin has a higher epidermal melanin content, making it more likely to develop adverse pigmentary reactions following laser surgery. The nanosecond lasers are the gold standard for the treatment of pigmented lesions, but the risk of complications, such as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, is increased in dark-skinned patients. Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) or long-pulsed lasers are available for treating superficial pigmented lesions, and fewer complications are seen when using these devices compared to the nanosecond lasers. Nanosecond lasers are essential in the treatment of dermal melanosis. Recently, picosecond lasers have been investigated. Picosecond lasers will also play an important role in the treatment of pigmented lesions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, Tokai University.
authors.forename: Taro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kono
authors.affiliation: Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, University of Hong Kong, Department of Medicine/Therapeutic and Pediatric, Chinese University of Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Samantha Y
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Shek
authors.affiliation: Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, University of Hong Kong, Department of Medicine/Therapeutic and Pediatric, Chinese University of Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Henry H L
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.affiliation: Cosmetic Laser Dermatology, San Diego.
authors.forename: William F
authors.initials: WF
authors.lastname: Groff
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, Tokai University.
authors.forename: Kotaro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Imagawa
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, Tokai University.
authors.forename: Tadashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Akamatsu
keywords: Asians; Q-switched laser; complications; long-pulsed laser; nanosecond laser; picosecond laser; pigmented lesions