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Related Concept Videos

Changes in Skin Color: Clinical Perspectives01:14

Changes in Skin Color: Clinical Perspectives

The first thing a clinician sees is the skin, so the examination of the skin should be part of any thorough physical examination. Most skin disorders are relatively benign, but a few, including melanomas, can be fatal if untreated. A couple of the more noticeable disorders, albinism and vitiligo, affect the appearance of the skin and its accessory organs.
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Pigmentation01:19

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The color of the skin is influenced by a number of pigments, including melanin, carotene, and hemoglobin. Recall that melanin is produced by cells called melanocytes, which are found scattered throughout the stratum basale of the epidermis. The melanin is transferred to the keratinocytes via melanosomes.
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Skin Cancer01:30

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Skin cancer is a type of cancer that occurs when there is an abnormal growth of skin cells, usually triggered by damage to the DNA within the skin cells. It is primarily caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or artificial sources like tanning beds. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer worldwide, and its incidence continues to rise.
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A thorough assessment of respiratory health is paramount in clinical settings to identify and manage respiratory distress and ensure adequate oxygenation. This article elaborates on the critical aspects of respiratory evaluation, including airway assessment, skin color examination, and the observation of accessory muscle use, which are integral to effectively diagnosing and managing patients with respiratory conditions.
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Ethical Standards II01:23

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Assessment of the Cardiovascular System II: Inspection01:29

Assessment of the Cardiovascular System II: Inspection

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 29, 2026

Using a 1064-nm Picosecond Neodymium-Doped Yttrium Aluminum Garnet Laser for Periorbital Hyperpigmentation
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Special considerations for darker-skinned patients.

Henry H L Chan1

  • 1Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China; Wellman Center of Photomedicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass., USA.

Current Problems in Dermatology
|August 26, 2011
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Laser treatments for darker skin tones require careful parameter selection due to increased melanin. Optimizing laser settings and cooling is crucial to minimize side effects and achieve desired outcomes in ethnic skin.

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Published on: October 3, 2019

Area of Science:

  • Dermatology
  • Medical Aesthetics
  • Laser Physics

Background:

  • Lasers are increasingly used for medical and aesthetic treatments.
  • Skin of color presents unique challenges for laser therapies compared to Caucasian skin.
  • Higher epidermal melanin in darker skin acts as a competing chromophore, affecting light absorption.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the differences in laser treatment effects on darker skin tones.
  • To identify risks associated with laser treatments in patients with Fitzpatrick skin types IV and above.
  • To emphasize the importance of specific parameters for safe and effective laser application in ethnic skin.

Main Methods:

  • Review of laser treatment principles and their interaction with melanin.
  • Analysis of factors influencing light dosage and target penetration in darker skin.
  • Evaluation of established and potential risk mitigation strategies, including cooling and wavelength selection.

Main Results:

  • Increased epidermal melanin in darker skin reduces effective light dosage, necessitating higher energy levels (fluence).
  • Despite cooling and longer wavelengths, Fitzpatrick skin types > IV remain at significant risk of adverse effects.
  • Careful selection of laser parameters and effective skin cooling are critical for managing risks.

Conclusions:

  • Treating darker skin tones with lasers requires a nuanced approach due to competing chromophores.
  • Optimizing laser parameters, including wavelength and fluence, alongside robust cooling, is essential.
  • Achieving desirable clinical outcomes in ethnic skin necessitates a thorough understanding of laser-tissue interactions and risk management.