On January 31, 2026, the 27th IMCAS Annual World Congress in Paris opened grandly. As one of the world’s leading academic conferences in dermatology, plastic surgery, and anti-aging science, IMCAS is often regarded as the “Oscars” of aesthetic medicine. The congress is dedicated to advancing the translation of interdisciplinary research into clinical practice.
At this year’s congress, CHANDO unveiled a breakthrough in root-cause brightening research for Asian skin — the new pigment-management mechanism of 577. This milestone marks that Chinese cosmetics companies are now at the forefront of global basic research in precision skin brightening.
Taking the Global Academic Stage, CHANDO’s Research Gains International Recognition
IMCAS is a top international medical research conference for plastic surgeons, dermatologists, and aesthetic medicine professionals. It has long served as an authoritative platform for the release of cutting-edge medical technologies and scientific innovations. Through the sharing of evidence-based techniques and interdisciplinary advances, IMCAS aims to support professional development and help achieve better patient treatment outcomes.
The 2026 Paris congress featured 225 scientific sessions and attracted 21,764 professionals from around the world. After a rigorous and anonymous review by the congress’s academic review committee, CHANDO Group’s research was selected for a keynote presentation at the main forum.
At the congress, Dr. Youssef, Skin Research Scientist at CHANDO Group, was invited to deliver a presentation titled “Epigenetic Skincare: A New Root-Cause Brightening Mechanism of 4-Butylresorcinol (577) Through microRNA Regulation in Asian Populations.” The presentation systematically showcased the team’s exploration and findings in epigenetic regulation of Asian skin.
Dr. Youssef, Skin Research Scientist at CHANDO Group, was invited to deliver a keynote presentation
Decoding the “Signals” of Asian Skin and Opening a New Path for Brightening Intervention
CHANDO’s research team found that Asian skin commonly faces three core concerns: stubborn pigmentation, a tendency toward dull yellow tones, and a fragile skin barrier that is prone to post-darkening. Traditional brightening ingredients often take a “one-size-fits-all” approach, making it difficult to meet consumers’ specific brightening needs.
Based on this insight, CHANDO Group focused its research on the deeper level of epigenetics. Addressing the brightening challenges of Asian skin, as well as its unique physiological structure and pigment metabolism characteristics, the Group carried out more than a decade of systematic research.
In his presentation, Dr. Youssef explained that since launching epigenomic research in 2014, CHANDO’s research team has used high-throughput sequencing and bioinformatics analysis to identify a specific microRNA as a key regulatory factor in UV-induced pigmentation in Asian skin. This miRNA is closely related to the synthesis of three key enzymes involved in melanin production: MITF, TYR, and TYRP1.
Experiments showed that UV exposure can significantly upregulate the expression of this miRNA, thereby activating the melanin-production pathway and leading to a significant increase in melanin content (+222%). [1]
The key breakthrough of this research lies in the experimental confirmation that 577 can effectively inhibit the abnormal expression of this microRNA, blocking excessive melanin synthesis at its source. This discovery not only reveals a new mechanism that differentiates 577 from traditional brightening pathways, but also provides an epigenetics-based precision intervention strategy and product development direction for pigmentation concerns in Asian skin caused by sun exposure or post-aesthetic procedures.
In addition, extensive experimental validation has shown that 577 is highly gentle. It causes extremely low irritation to sensitive Asian skin with weaker barrier function. While helping block melanin formation and improve dull yellow tones, it also effectively avoids common issues associated with traditional brightening ingredients, such as redness and post-darkening.
It is worth noting that CHANDO had previously been recognized by the professional research institution Chnbrand Consulting as the “Global 577 Brightening Leader” for this ingredient technology and its product application. [2] CHANDO’s appearance at IMCAS further validates the scientific rigor and innovation of its research. It also shows that skin concern insights and solutions originating from the Chinese consumer market are now entering world-class scientific dialogue platforms.
A Decade of Research on Asian Skin, Driving Precision Skincare Through Science
Over the past decade, CHANDO Group’s research team has remained focused on the fundamental characteristics of Asian skin, continuously deepening basic research, innovating technological pathways, and upholding rigorous validation standards.
For Asian consumers seeking healthy, luminous skin, 577 represents more than a high-performance ingredient. It is a precision scientific solution based on epigenetics and aligned with the intrinsic mechanisms of Asian skin.
Today, 577 has been successfully applied in CHANDO’s Brightening Snow Skin series, transforming the scientific concept of “intervening in pigmentation at the source through epigenetic regulation” into a daily precision skincare solution.
Looking ahead, CHANDO Group will continue to deepen its commitment to skin science. With more robust research achievements that can stand up to international academic scrutiny, the Group aims to provide Chinese consumers with skincare solutions that are safer, more effective, and more forward-looking.
Notes
[1] Data sourced from CHANDO’s internal research.
[2] Data source: Chnbrand Consulting Group. Through interviews with industry experts and companies, and by comparing the overall business performance of facial brightening products across global, omnichannel markets with 577 as the main brightening ingredient, Chnbrand Consulting concluded that Shanghai CHANDO Group Co., Ltd. is the global 577 brightening leader. Facial brightening products with 577 as the main brightening ingredient refer to facial brightening products containing 4-Butylresorcinol (577) as the main brightening ingredient. “Leader” refers to a brand that holds a leading position globally in market performance, technology, and product strength, while also demonstrating industry influence. The statistical period was from January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024. This certification was completed in April 2025.
