The 5 BEST treatments for DARKER skin | Dr Davin Lim

Ethnic skin is not immune to conditions such as freckles, age spots, wrinkles, poor skin texture & pigmentation. There are however several skin conditions that are more common in Asian skin types. These include-
Skin pigmentation / Melasma- this skin condition is much more common in Indians, Fijians, Pacific Islanders, Sri Lankans as well as Caucasian. Melasma presents are patchy areas of skin darkening around the eyes, forehead, and upper lip. Bleaching creams, and Q Switch laser can help reduce pigmentation by 80%.
Age spots and sun spots - these can also occur on Asian skin. The use of erbium laser, Q Switch laser, LaseMD, Pico or Fraxel can reduce pigmentation, rejuvenate skin and improve wrinkles. The 1927 wavelength is my preferred laser as the chances of skin darkening is very low with this machine. I also combine Pico lasers (not the older Picosure laser, but the Picoway)
The fundamental difference between dark and lighter skin types include-
.
Melanocytes; same number, but larger and bigger, and more active, receptor differences including OPSN 1 receptors in dark skin. Tyrosinase activity increased in darker skin types compared to lighter skin
.
Melanin- or pigment. This gives skin colour (genetics), tanning or post inflammatory pigmentation. This is key as melanin is photoprotective as it reduces UVB and UVA. The later is the responsible to elastosis, photo damage and wrinkles (extrinsic ageing).
.
Melanin facts;
1. Concentration is double in darker skin types (within melanosomes)
2. Degradation is slower
3. Melanosomes are larger
4. Melanin in darker skin offers SPF 15
.
Underneath the skin - is where the differences of laxity, wrinkless, volume
Dermis - thicker , better elastic recoil in darker skin types.
Fibroblasts- More in number, multinucleate, larger, reactive. This means more potential to generate collagen, and a denser amount of collagen, but the flipside is also more potential to develop keloid and hypertrophic scars.

[@vivixwaldo4227]

No no no RF made my hyperpigmentation much worse! I had to stop. I am italian with olive color skin Type 3. Any heat makes melasma worse on my kind of skin….

[@KingKikikoi]

What kind of RF did you get?

[@sadiacheema4942]

So true

[@ebonya8629]

Same here

[@nashitaramkissoon6297]

RF made my acne worse... and it used to be so painful

[@micdeleon]

In your description you didn't mention African descent but you mentioned many others. Does that mean that the average African skin tone can't benefit from these treatments?

[@db-gb5xi]

I might check channels that deal in black skin like Dr Alexis Stephens who does have at least one video on laser. I might also check out Dr. Caroline Robinson who does have a video Q&A where laser comes up (like Pico). I'd also check out Danielle of the Style and Beauty Doctor (not a derm) who takes you through her laser treatments with her derm Dr. Michelle Henry. I might also check out Brown Skin Derm but not sure if she's covered laser. Dr Simi Adedeji (UK) has covered laser hair removal.

[@elizabethwilk9615]

Southern Europeans can tan easily and can darker or not fair let’s say

[@evadamonte3409]

I had PICO and it made my skin worse. I am Italian with tan skin and my understanding is that any kind of laser treatment creates heat and causes more pigmentation in dark skin.

[@kimdahyun2893]

Why are you creating panic with no proof

[@ozy7777]

It does. I did on nasal area and it got so worse than it was before

[@Ra-fb6gx]

Mi scusi se l’ha fatta il trattamento laser in Italia .. posso sapere quanto ha pagato ? Grazie

[@zeynand4039]

They probably lied to you about the laser. Salons often lie. You need to see if the brand logo is on the machine of picoway.

[@Ra-fb6gx]

you need to go to the ''medicina estetica'' ... you need a proper cosmetic surgeon or at least a dermatologist,avoid going to beauty salons

[@germanalonsorodriguez1918]

Dr. Lim! I have your skin type color... What kind of treatments you think is better for this kind of skin?

[@victoriawheeler5445]

Omgeeee your the best at explaining exactly what I wanted to know! I have been researching laser powered devices for skin esthetic for long time . I have medium skin tone that can get very dark and I get very dark pigment when my skin is damaged.... I needed to figure out which laser is best for my skin and learned that the METHOD of power delivery is key. I didn't know why insulted needles do better for darker skin but cuz of YOUR explanation I know now....all I want to do now is find a doctor in my area I can trust to do my treatments without leaving me with worse hyperpigmentation then I already have and knowing what questions to ask your doctor is key as well ty Dr. Davin!

[@KingKikikoi]

Amazing Thankyou I was worried about Morpheus 8 but I feel confident to try it after watching this

[@meilu1997]

Have you tried Morpheus8? I am also considering it but worry about it will make my skin worse.

[@vinoto]

Awesome! Would love to see an in-depth video on melasma and EDP (erythema dischromitans)

[@beautyonthespot4612]

Yes please

[@christinenguyen2530]

very informative video. i am glad you are back on youtube. pico laser works wonder on my asian skin. thank you dr. lim.

[@romyxx71]

We didn't get any info on cooling times or methods for these devices. For more details, check out Dr V's videos on laser, radiofrequency and red light devices. She covers the need for cooling mechanisms due to the heat emitted by all these devices, which can be particularly harmful for darker skin types.

[@sheisawarenow3753]

Very helpful video. Thank you!👍🏽

[@mariettapoole5752]

Excellent video explaining what are out there. Thank you.

[@boralim1982]

Hi Davin, I’m in NZ and very limited to options! I’m wondering what your thoughts are on Lumenis PiQo4 Laser Treatment for pigmentation removal for South East Asian Dark pigmented skin? Apparently there are different strengths that can be used on Skin of colour patients, would be great to get your advice. TIA, Bora

[@mariaelenafrias6679]

I am dark but also have melasma with rosacea what you recommend

[@user-ni6ho9yw6i]

Which one worked for you mam

[@hinabarron3842]

Loved this one so much! Very informative. Thank you!

[@Indian_swan]

Hi doctor! You're so knowledgeable.

[@brittnijohnson4113]

Thank you for this video I’ll be glad when the come out with a laser for dark skin

[@kiranwingelaar7009]

PICO 11 laser, fine lines and skin tones, Kojic acid for pigmentation and combined with Arbutin, Citric acid, Glycolic acid, Lactic acid, Low dose salicylic acid. He suggest RF but an Italian woman in the comments below said her pigmentation became worse after RF. I summarized what was relevant for me.

[@missdhara6434]

Very informative, and very clearly explained

[@Ianzky28]

Hello doc hoping you could answer my question. Im just wondering Why my acne scar (quite wide, deep rolling scars) on my left and right cheek (front lower) keeps coming back even after my 2nd session. The procedures done were (air subcision and ha fillers). I have quite chubby cheeks btw. Hope you could answer my question doc. Thanks a lot

[@sandradosscomedy]

Can you recommend a Dr that uses your approach to treatment of dark marks and scars in the US? Thanks!

[@sarat8577]

Pico laser changed my (brown) skin! Sunspots begone!

[@salomeakandu8729]

How did you use the pico laser pls

[@awakenthegreatnesswithin]

What skin type are you? How many sessions did you do?

[@simonac688.]

Glad your back Doc 👍

[@davidrosales4255]

Dr what do you think about tixel?

[@CiselCarda]

Can you do this for light skin types? thank you

[@emilywood6830]

When will Winlevi cream/clascoterone be coming to Australia? 🇦🇺

[@supercharger5727]

Are y’all trying to lighten darker skin or treat darker skin safely I’m getting confused

[@tanyathaakur3893]

Treating dark skin safely because most of the treatments are for fair skin tone which can result in pigmentation or so for the dark skin tone

[@papojaeger5483]

Do you like secret Rf or Morpheus8 better? Heard Morpheus8 gets better results?

[@rachelmathew2240]

Can you please tell me how good is lasemd laser for hyperpigmentation. Im Indian with darker skin tone. Is lasemd or nd Yag laser better for pigmentation?

[@rodzdiaz7677]

Salicylic acid good for sensitives skin..?

[@done.bytonya3091]

He literally stated darker skin types is the phrase African-American really necessary

[@qurat-ul-ainshafqat1983]

Hi Can u reccomend any dr who deal with aesthetic like you in Melbourne Victoria

[@kuljeetkaurmakkar]

And in Perth , Western Australia please 🙏🏻

[@biancaushe4606]

Dr Michelle Rodrigues. Fern tree Gully

[@jayg6138]

Is resveratrol bad for people with vitiligo?

[@skbskb7596]

Is PICO II treatment for dark skin, is it permanent ? How expensive is this?

[@mercymutasa]

thank you dr lim

[@mikewyatt3894]

Hello sir do you light the skin I have black skin I was looking for skin lighting

[@rabia5928]

Can you please make a video about discovery pico laser. Pls

[@sukhvindertiwana586]

Heat from laser can cause pigmentation in skin of colour. I have got pigmentation from laser rejuvenation.

[@awakenthegreatnesswithin]

Did your skin heal? What laser did you do?

[@sukhvindertiwana586]

It's been more than 10 years now since I got the laser burns. My pigmentation has not reduced. I can't recall what laser it was but I do recall it the treatment was called rejuvenation.

[@awakenthegreatnesswithin]

@@sukhvindertiwana586 that's why I'm paranoid to do any laser. Try particle men scar gel, it gets rid of pigmentation, takes about 2-3 months to start seeing results

[@laplace1623]

​. Hey i got co2 fractional.laser and made my skin black ,brown on legs i have huge hyperpigmentation looks like a burn 4 months is about to complete nothing seems to reduce..how many shades darker u went..??

[@awakenthegreatnesswithin]

@@sukhvindertiwana586 sorry to hear that, there are things online you can try to remove the marks all the best with it

[@wisdom1870]

Merci 😉

[@neenee5198]

He said nothing about African American skin 😢

[@Chase77776]

That our responsibility we can't expect other people to take care of our needs

[@hanianouhaili4742]

👍