Your heritage affects how and when you'll show signs of aging. Canada's leading dermatologists advise on the best fixes.
East meets West
If your family hails from China, Japan or Korea, your skin has its own specific traits and special needs. While you have more pigment and less sensitivity to the sun, you still require protection to ward off sun damage and skin cancer. Like black women, those of Asian descent are prone to uneven skin tone. And of all the skin types -- for reasons still unknown -- Asians have the lowest sebum excretion. This may explain why you are more likely to experience dry skin and sensitivity to certain soaps or fragrances.
Star products
Dermatologists suggest avoiding foaming facial cleansers or gels, which can strip skin of natural oils, and using gentler cold creams, cleansing milks or cleansing oils. And if you're experiencing uneven skin tone or a darkening of pigment (which is common as women of Asian heritage get older), look for products designed to even out sensitive skin. Products containing soy reduce inflammation and are effective in preventing discoloration.
Dermo cure
Laser resurfacing or peels may help to smooth uneven skin tone, says Dr. Leslie Baumann, director of the University of Miami Cosmetic Center and author of The Skin Type Solution, but these procedures may be too aggressive for your skin type and might actually lead to more problems. "Some Asian skin is quite dark and not as sensitive, but, for the most part, the less melanin Asian skin has, the more sensitive it tends to be." Kellett recommends consulting with a dermatologist to find a program that will work best for you.
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