First-Ever "Guideline for Laser and Aesthetic Medicine" Released in China: Establishes Evidence-Based Standards for 26 Common Conditions

The Guideline for the Diagnosis and Treatment in Laser and Aesthetic Medicine has been o published in the Chinese Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. "This is the first comprehensive guideline in China dedicated to standardizing the clinical practice of laser and aesthetic medicine," says Professor Xiaoxi Lin from Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital.

Jointly developed by the Chinese Society of Plastic Surgery of the Chinese Medical Association and the Chinese Society of Laser and Aesthetic Medicine of the Chinese Association of Plastics and Aesthetics, the guideline provides evidence-based recommendations for 26 diseases, ranging from pigmentary disorders to skin rejuvenation.

Filling the Gap in StandardizationThe field of laser and aesthetic medicine has experienced rapid growth over the past three decades. However, the lack of systematic, high-evidence-level clinical guidelines has led to inconsistent treatment outcomes and safety concerns. To address this, a scientific committee was established, and 26 separate working groups were formed to review the latest international literature. The resulting guideline is registered on the International Practice Guidelines Registry and Transparency Platform (PREPARE-2023CN047).

Key Recommendations by Disease Type

• Melasma: The guideline emphasizes that photoelectric technology is generally not recommended as a first-line treatment. For active-phase melasma, high-energy treatments should be avoided to prevent rebound. The low-fluence, large-spot Q-switched Nd:YAG laser is recommended as the preferred laser modality for stable-phase melasma.
• Dermal spots (Nevus of Ota & Hori's Nevus): Nanosecond and picosecond lasers are confirmed as the mainstay of treatment. The 755 nm picosecond laser is highlighted for its efficacy in Hori’s nevus, while Q-switched lasers remain highly effective for Nevus of Ota, especially in pediatric patients where earlier intervention is recommended.
• Tattoo Removal: The picosecond laser is recommended as the first-line treatment due to its superior clearance rates and reduced number of sessions compared to traditional Q-switched lasers.
• Scars (Hypertrophic Scars & Keloids): Monotherapy for keloids is discouraged due to high recurrence rates. The guideline advocates for multimodal therapy, such as combining fractional CO2 lasers with intralesional injections or radiotherapy, to minimize recurrence.
• Aging and Vascular Lesions: For facial wrinkles and laxity, non-invasive fat reduction, and vascular malformations like Port-Wine Stains, the guideline details specific parameters for ablative/non-ablative lasers and pulsed dye lasers.

Expert Insight

By strictly grading the quality of evidence, the guideline aims to lead clinicians away from empirical treatment towards precise, evidence-based medicine. The goal is to maximize efficacy while minimizing adverse reactions like post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

Future Implications

This guideline serves as a reference for clinical physicians, nursing staff, and researchers. It is expected to improve the standard of care in hospitals across China and provide a valuable reference for global practitioners treating Asian skin types.

Contact author:

Xiaoxi Lin, M.D., Ph.D.

Department of Laser and Aesthetic Medicine & Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine

Email: linxiaoxi@126.com

Conflict of interest:

The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

See the article:

Group for the Guideline for the Diagnosis and Treatment in Laser and Aesthetic Medicine, Chinese Society of Plastic Surgery of the Chinese Medical Association, Chinese Society of Laser and Aesthetic Medicine of the Chinese Association of Plastics and Aesthetics. Guideline for the diagnosis and treatment in laser and aesthetic medicine. Chin J Plast Reconstr Surg. 2026;8(1):1–56. doi: 10.1016/j.cjprs.2026.02.004.