The Asian Skin

Asians comprise a diverse group of people from South Asia, which includes Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka, South-east Asia (Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines), and North Asia (Japan, Korea and China). In these regions, the Fitzpatrick skin types III, IV, and V predominate. Similar dermatoses involving the Asian skin often take on a slightly different clinical appearance from those affecting the Caucasian skin which is predominantly Fitzpatrick skin types I and II. This is mainly due to the inherent differences in melanin content and its distribution in the different races. The different pigmentary response following skin inflammation and injury also contributes to the variation in the clinical picture of dermatoses encountered in Asians. In addition, inherent genetic differences and unique cultural practices may also result in a different spectrum of skin conditions seen in Asians. This comprehensive atlas of dermatology contains more than 1000 high-quality clinical photographs on dermatoses affecting the Asian skin. Conditions unique to Asians such as naevus of Ota, Hori’s naevus, Ofulgi’s disease, progressive macular confluent hypomelanosis and reticulate acropigmentation of Kitamura as well as conditions with a geographical Asia bias such as chronic arsenic poisoning and cutaneous meloidosis are well illustrated in this atlas. This compilation will undoubtedly serve as a valuable reference atlas and an essential companion to the dermatology textbook to all dermatologists managing patients of Asian descent.