IMCAS China 2026, Shanghai: From Light-to-Lift for Melasma in Asian Skin
On 27 August 2026, Dr Brian Hang Kin Chan (Dr Brian), Founder and Medical Director of Alluna Medical, delivered an oral presentation at IMCAS China 2026 in Shanghai.
Presented within the congress’s Melasma Focus Session, the lecture was titled:
From Light to Lift: Treating Melasma in Asian Patients with Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) and Collagen Biostimulation
IMCAS China brings together clinicians working in dermatology, plastic surgery and aesthetic medicine for professional education and exchange. This update records a completed professional educational activity and the clinical themes discussed; it does not imply endorsement by IMCAS of Dr Brian, Alluna Medical, or any treatment, device or product.
Melasma in Asian Skin: More Than Visible Pigment
Melasma is a common but complex pigmentary condition. It may present as uneven brown or grey-brown pigmentation, often on the cheeks, forehead, upper lip or jawline. However, visible pigment is only one part of the clinical picture.
For many patients, management also needs to consider factors such as:
Individual skin type and tendency towards pigmentation after inflammation
Ultraviolet and visible-light exposure
Heat, friction, irritation and skin-barrier disruption
Hormonal influences, medication history and previous treatment response
Vascular or inflammatory features that may be present alongside pigmentation
Work, travel, outdoor exposure and the practical ability to maintain photoprotection and follow-up
Previous treatments such as oral tranexamic acid or topical creams
This is particularly relevant for Asian skin, where pigmentary responses can be more reactive and where overly aggressive treatment may contribute to irritation or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
A meaningful melasma plan therefore begins with diagnosis and assessment. It should not start with the assumption that a device, injectable treatment or single procedure is appropriate for every patient.
From “Light” to “Lift”: The Importance of Sequencing
The presentation discussed a treatment-planning concept rather than a fixed recipe: considering what may need to be addressed first, and whether procedural treatment is appropriate at all.
In this context, “light” refers to the possible use of Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) in selected patients, with carefully chosen parameters and timing. IPL is an energy-based treatment that may be considered for some pigmentary, vascular or photodamage-related concerns. It is not a universal treatment for melasma, and it may not be appropriate for active, unstable or poorly characterised pigmentation.
“Lift” is a descriptive term used in the presentation title. In clinical practice, collagen biostimulation may be considered for selected patients as part of a broader discussion about skin quality, dermal support and, where relevant, facial structure. Injectable biostimulators are medical treatments with potential risks and are not a treatment for every patient with melasma. Their use requires appropriate diagnosis, informed consent, a discussion of alternatives and careful clinical judgement.
The central principle is sequencing. Where treatment is clinically appropriate, stabilising relevant skin concerns, supporting photoprotection and setting realistic expectations may be more important than attempting to combine multiple procedures quickly. Some patients may benefit from a gradual, staged approach; others may be better served by topical treatment, skincare, observation, medical treatment of an underlying condition, or no procedure at all.
At Alluna Medical, this approach is reflected in our Light-to-Lift Protocol for Melasma, an educational framework that explores the considered use of IPL and collagen biostimulation for selected patients. It is not a promise of outcome or a substitute for individual medical assessment. Alluna’s existing educational material similarly describes the protocol as a combined approach for selected Asian-skin patients rather than a universal treatment pathway.
What professional exchange means in practice
International meetings offer clinicians an opportunity to review evolving research, compare clinical perspectives and discuss the limits of established and emerging approaches. They do not provide a single answer for every patient, nor should information discussed at a congress be adopted without careful evaluation.
For Alluna Medical, ongoing professional education supports - but does not replace - the foundations of patient care:
Doctor-led consultation and diagnosis before treatment planning
Clear discussion of potential benefits, limitations, risks and alternatives
Consideration of individual skin characteristics, health history and lifestyle
Conservative, step-by-step planning where appropriate
Review over time, rather than pressure to pursue multiple procedures in one visit
These principles are also central to The Alluna Method, our framework for thoughtful, individualised aesthetic and medical care.
Professional Education and Patient Care
Dr Brian’s IMCAS China presentation follows his professional education engagement at IMCAS Asia 2026 in Bangkok. Together, these activities reflect an ongoing clinical interest in melasma, Asian skin, IPL and collagen biostimulation.
For patients seeking advice about melasma, hyperpigmentation, redness or uneven skin tone in Hong Kong, the appropriate next step is an individual consultation. An appropriately qualified doctor can assess the concern, discuss whether treatment is indicated, and explain the potential role - as well as the limitations and risks - of topical, lifestyle-based, medical and procedural options.
You may also view Dr Brian’s selected professional activities on our Awards & Recognition page.
Important information
This article records a completed professional educational engagement and is provided for general medical education only. It does not constitute personal medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It does not imply endorsement by IMCAS of Dr Brian, Alluna Medical, or any procedure, device, injectable product or treatment approach.
Melasma, pigmentation and other skin concerns require individual medical assessment. The suitability, possible benefits, limitations, risks, downtime and outcomes of any treatment vary between individuals. No treatment outcome can be guaranteed.
