Their concerns are valid.

With less research from clinical trials to help gauge how lasers impact darker skin tones, patients of color have long believed that laser treatments weren’t an aesthetic option for them.¹

Dija Ayodele, skincare expert and author of Black Skin: The Definitive Skincare Guide, says this isn’t true. There are laser treatments appropriate for dark skin, but clinicians need the nuance and knowledge to apply the same laser treatments to different skin types.¹

The good news is there’s already been a major shift towards inclusivity in the aesthetics industry.

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons statistics report, an increasing number of Americans of diverse ethnicities are having cosmetic procedures. Data shows that 1.78 million African American patients had cosmetic procedures in 2020, rising from 1.62 million in 2018. Hispanic, African American, and Asian patients in 2020 also represented a greater proportion of the total patient numbers having cosmetic surgery compared to 2019.²

With this trend expected to continue, debunking popular myths about treating dark skin will be key to helping medical aesthetics practices unlock a diverse patient demographic.

Myth #1: Skincare issues manifest the same on darker skin

According to a New York Times article, Dermatology Has a Problem with Skin Color, common skin conditions often appear differently on dark skin, yet physicians are mostly trained to diagnose them on white skin.³

Although there’s been progress, most textbooks for diagnosing skin disorders have far fewer images of skin conditions as they appear on people of color. This can lead to misdiagnoses because many key characteristics of skin disorders—like red patches and purple blotches—appear differently in people with different complexions.³

For example, when most people think of eczema, they think of how it appears on light skin—as a red, dry, and itchy rash. However, in dark skin, this redness may be difficult to see. Eczema flare-ups look darker brown, purple, or ash grey in color. ³

Oftentimes, doctors miss rosacea in Black patients because clinicians expect to see redness and visible blood vessels on the face, but red is not seen as much if the background skin color is brown. ³

In the world of medical laser aesthetics, medical professionals must first recognize the disease process in darker skin to make appropriate treatment recommendations.

Myth #2: Light and dark skin patients have the same skin concerns

While light and dark skin patients may share some common aesthetic skin concerns, dark skin patients are prone to the following:⁴

Hyperpigmentation and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH)—Studies indicate a direct link between dark skin and the predisposition to develop PIH. PIH is significantly more frequent and severe in darkly pigmented skin.⁵

According to the Skin of Color Society, more than 65% of African American people experience symptoms of hyperpigmentation due to skin damage or irritation.⁶ Laser skin treatments such as HALO®, MOXI™, and ProFractional™ for skin types I-VI may be used alone or in combination to effectively address hyperpigmentation and other skin conditions in dark skin patients.

Melasma—Individuals of color, particularly women, are at increased risk for developing melasma. While clinicians know there is no cure for this skin condition, the visible signs associated with melasma can be treated with Sciton’s MOXI™ laser treatment for skin types I-VI. Clinicians typically recommend 3 MOXI treatments spaced 4 weeks apart and a skin maintenance regimen with Moxi.⁸

Keloid scars—Known for their dense, raised appearance, keloid scars tend to occur more commonly in skin of color, particularly in people of African descent. Laser treatments offer some of the best clinical responses in hypertrophic scars and keloids,⁹ including Sciton’s ProFractional laser for skin types I-VI. For dark skin types struggling with atrophic scarring from acne, studies have shown the efficacy of a YAG 1064 nm laser like Sciton’s ClearSilk® treatment in improving the appearance of scars.¹⁰

Dyschromia, alopecia, and seborrheic dermatitis—These skin conditions are found more frequently in patients with skin of color when compared with white patients. Dyschromia, or irregular skin discoloration resulting in either hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation and seborrheic dermatitis, a skin condition that causes scaly patches mainly on the scalp, may be treated with a skin resurfacing laser treatment for all skin types, such as HALO.

Myth 3 #: Dark skin patients don’t need to wear sunscreen

The American Academy of Dermatology’s official position on sunscreen, echoed by the Food and Drug Administration, is that ‘everyone, regardless of skin type, should wear sunscreen.’¹¹

Although dark skin is naturally more protective against harmful UV rays than fair skin—melanin provides a sun protection factor (SPF) of 13.4 in black skin, compared to 3.4 in white skin—people of all skin types can burn without sunscreen protection. The burn may not be visible, but it is still there. Dark skin patients can still get sunburn, skin cancer, and age prematurely. ¹⁰

All patients, including those with dark skin prone to dark spots and hyperpigmentation, are advised to stay out of direct sunlight and apply at least SPF 30 for the weeks preceding and following a laser treatment.

Myth # 4: Pre and post-care are the same for light and dark skin

The skin’s recovery process can look very different on skin of color. Clinicians need to be able to recognize these issues and tailor pre- and post-care appropriately.¹

Theresa Reynolds, a multi-ethnic medical laser specialist and founder of AllSKN Aesthetics, tailors her pre- and post-care for each individual patient because dark skin, she says, reacts differently from light skin.

To learn more about treating skin of color with Sciton lasers from Theresa and Dr. Karan Lal, DO, FAAD, a double board certified pediatric and cosmetic dermatologist in Scottsdale, AZ, watch the Treating Skin of Color with Confidence webinar here.

Myth #5: Keep your marketing messaging generic

As the aesthetics industry aims to recognize and promote diversity, companies need to realign their messaging to be inclusive of patients of color. ¹

According to Dija Ayodele, companies can use language in their marketing to let patients know laser treatments are appropriate for their skin with a simple statement like, “This laser treatment is suitable for dark skin. This is how [expectations, results, recovery, etc.] it will work on dark skin.” ¹

Proper training and education for treating skin of color, product testing on darker skin types, and inclusive marketing messaging will become increasingly important in promoting diversity in a fast-changing industry.

Which Sciton laser treatments are right for your patients’ skin type?

At Sciton, a rigorous testing protocol ensures the efficacy and safety of laser treatments for patients of all skin tones, including darker skin.

Sciton’s clinical educators provide pre- and post-clinical training with treatment protocols for skin types I-VI as well as advanced clinical preceptorships.

To learn more about Sciton treatments by skin type, download Sciton’s Which Fitz Fits brochure.

References:

¹Podcast 101: Dija Ayodele on why black skincare matters

²American Society of Plastic Surgeons, Plastic Surgery Statistics Report 2020

³New York Times: Dermatology Has a Problem With Skin Color

⁴How These 4 Skin Conditions Impact People of Color

⁵Markiewicz, E., Karaman-Jurukovska, N., Mammone, T., & Idowu, O. C. (2021). Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation in Dark Skin: Molecular Mechanism and Skincare Implications. Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 15, 2555-2565.

⁶Understanding How Hyperpigmentation Affects Black Skin

⁷Kauvar AN. Treatment of pseudofolliculitis with a pulsed infrared laser. Arch Dermatol. 2000 Nov;136(11):1343-6. doi: 10.1001/archderm.136.11.1343. PMID: 11074696.

⁸Vingan NR, Panton JA, Barillas J, Lazzarini A, Hoopman J, Kenkel JM, Culver A. Investigating the efficacy of a fractionated 1927 nm laser for diffuse dyspigmentation and actinic changes. Lasers Surg Med. 2023 Apr;55(4):344-358. doi: 10.1002/lsm.23653. Epub 2023 Mar 23. PMID: 36950878.

⁹Alster TS. Laser treatment of hypertrophic scars, keloids, and striae. Dermatol Clin. 1997 Jul;15(3):419-29. doi: 10.1016/s0733-8635(05)70451-4. PMID: 9189679.

¹⁰Badawi, A., Tome, M. A., Atteya, A., Sami, N., & Morsy, A. L. (2011). Retrospective analysis of non-ablative scar treatment in dark skin types using the sub-millisecond Nd:YAG 1,064 nm Laser. Lasers in Surgery and Medicine, 43(2), 130-136.

¹¹New York Times: Should Black People Wear Sunscreen?

The post Debunking 5 Common Myths About Treating Skin Of Color With Lasers appeared first on Sciton.

April 19, 2023—A report by the American Academy of Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery found that women under 30 comprise a growing percentage of those undergoing minimally invasive cosmetic procedures to help delay the appearance of aging skin.¹ This “millennial takeover” or “prejuvenation trend” has taken the aesthetics industry by storm.

More and more millennials are looking for minimal downtime treatments that offer natural results and help maintain a healthy complexion.

How can you capitalize on this demand if you’re an aesthetic practice?

With Sciton’s 1927nm fractionated non-ablative laser—MOXI

Fill the gap in your practice with the MOXI laser

MOXI opens the door to a new patient segment, allowing you to tap into the largest U.S. consumer group. Statistics show millennials’ global spending power was $2.5 trillion in 2020, with $1.4 trillion of disposable income from US millennials alone. ²

Celebrity demand for MOXI skyrockets brand awareness

It’s not just millennials who love MOXI.

Since its debut in June 2020, MOXI has attracted a celebrity clientele. Dubbed the Hollywood treatment and recently featured on an Oscar segment by Styled by Anya, MOXI has become the go-to laser treatment for helping stars get Red Carpet ready. Celebrities who’ve received MOXI have popularized the treatment and contributed to its brand recognition.

MOXI has also been featured in magazines such as New Beauty, New You, Cosmopolitan, and British Vogue and was the winner of the 2022 Best Beauty Award from Good Housekeeping.

As a result, MOXI’s brand awareness has grown immensely. According to Google Analytics, in 2022 there was a 900% increase in online search demand for MOXI, with keywords like “MOXI laser” and “MOXI facial treatment” taking the lead.

Who is the ideal patient for a MOXI face treatment?

MOXI is ideal for first-time laser patients searching for a preventative treatment to help delay the appearance of aging skin. It’s also perfect for those who want to maintain beautiful skin with little to no downtime or discomfort.

But MOXI isn’t just a prejuvenation solution.

It’s also a solution for skin revitalization, light correction, and overall skin health maintenance for patients of all skin types and ages. This also includes men who want a facial laser treatment that won’t damage hair follicles.

What skin conditions does the MOXI laser treat?

MOXI delivers non-ablative laser energy to gently correct the initial signs of sun damage and aging for a glowing and clear complexion. The MOXI laser allows both low and high-density treatments for patients who are looking to:

• • Improve skin tone and texture
  • Remove precancerous cells (actinic keratosis)
  • Reduce unwanted pigment
  • Minimize the appearance of pores
  • Treat pigment associated with melasma

How long does the MOXI laser treatment take?

Typically, providers can treat a full face between 6-15 minutes—requiring only topical anesthetic and a Zimmer chiller. MOXI can be performed anywhere on the body, including the face, hands, neck, and decollete.

Can I effectively treat darker skin tones with MOXI?

The MOXI wavelength targets water, allowing clinicians to treat all skin tones, including darker skin types. This also means MOXI can be performed any time of year, including summer without concern for recent sun exposure. However, it is recommended for patients to stay out of direct sunlight after treatment.

What is the expected downtime with the MOXI laser?

Greater downtime doesn’t necessarily mean better results—and MOXI proves this.

Recovery time can vary depending on the level of treatment and each patient’s desired downtime. Typically, a patient receiving a mid-range MOXI treatment will be slightly red and swollen. Patients can return to their normal activities immediately after treatment and can wear make up the following day.

By day 3-4, small dots on the skin called MENDs (Microscopic Epidermal Necrotic Debris) will appear, which will begin to slough off, revealing new skin underneath. Between days 5-7, patients experience beautiful, smooth skin.

Does the MOXI facial treatment address melasma?

Among 20-40-year-olds, melasma is one of the most common skin disorders.³  Most often triggered by hormones, sun and heat are also contributing factors.

While MOXI can’t treat the underlying cause of melasma, it can address the associated dermal pigment. The MOXI laser targets water within the cell, which causes the cell to denature. The body then removes this cell and replaces it with one without pigment buildup.

While clinicians know there is no cure for melasma, the visible signs associated with this skin condition can be treated using 3 MOXI treatments spaced 4 weeks apart and a skin maintenance regimen that includes MOXI.⁴

One reviewer on RealSelf.com, a popular review site for cosmetic procedures, writes, “MOXI is one of the best treatments I’ve ever tried. This was my first laser treatment … As I’ve gotten a little older, I have noticed sun damage and melasma. I’m exactly a month post my 1st treatment, and I can tell a huge difference with the pigment of my face! Scheduling my next treatment asap!”

• How much can I earn with MOXI?

  MOXI is a great add-on for patients receiving other treatments, such as HydraFacials, micro-needling, light peels, Botox, or fillers. It’s another way to add a lucrative revenue stream to your aesthetic practice.

  The mJOULE system features esteemed power brands for skin revitalization, including MOXI and BBL® HERO™—Sciton’s acclaimed BroadBand light procedure for targeting brown spots, pigmented lesions, redness, hyperpigmentation, and more.

  Customers with an mJOULE with BBL HERO and MOXI earn an average monthly revenue of $16,290—5.3 times their monthly payment.⁵

  

  Looking for one more reason to upgrade with Sciton?

  When you become a Sciton customer, you gain access to our exclusive roster of programs, including educational preceptorships with world-renowned practitioners, specialized comprehensive clinical training, and access to our practice marketing support team with Concierge Marketing by Sciton.

  Sciton’s Concierge Marketing program gives you access to dedicated and experienced marketing professionals that help build your brand, revamp your branding materials, increase your social media reach, and generate more leads for your practice. Providers who subscribe to Concierge report a significant increase in Sciton laser appointments. Learn more today.

  Schedule a demo and see if MOXI is right for your practice

  Fill out this short form, and a local rep will be in touch to schedule your MOXI demo. You can also reach us by phone at +1.888.646.6999.

  References:

  ¹American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Inc Survey Results: A Look at How COVID-19 Disrupted Facial Plastic Surgery & Aesthetics

  ²100+ Millennial Spending Power & Habits Statistics (2023)

  ³Cleveland Clinic: Melasma

• ⁴Vingan NR, Panton JA, Barillas J, Lazzarini A, Hoopman J, Kenkel JM, Culver A. Investigating the efficacy of a fractionated 1927 nm laser for diffuse dyspigmentation and actinic changes. Lasers Surg Med. 2023 Apr;55(4):344-358. doi: 10.1002/lsm.23653. Epub 2023 Mar 23. PMID: 36950878.
• ⁵Sciton iQ data

The post Healthy Skin Is In: How To Meet The Booming Demand For Prejuvenation Treatments With The MOXI™ Laser appeared first on Sciton.