Fitzpatrick Skin Type Classification for IPL Laser Treatments

Everyone that has ever worked with IPL equipment worker or is considering including it in their spas or clinics should know the importance of understanding and recognise the skin types they will be treating.

Below you will find useful information on the importance of knowing and using the Fitzpatrick Scale.

The skin typing system was developed in 1975 by Harvard Medical School dermatologist Thomas Fitzpatrick. This system classifies complexions based on their tolerance to sunlight. Since then it has been used by many skin care professionals to determine how people will respond to facial treatments. 

This scale focuses on potentials for irritation such as burns and hyper-pigmentation. Both are good indicators for treatment choice. For instance, a client with skin type I on Fitzpatrick scale has a greater tendency towards irritation, but less for developing hyperpigmentation. Conversely, the client with skin type VI will not be easily irritated but will have an extremely high tendency towards pigmentation.   

Here is the classification of skin types on Fitzpatrick Scale:

Type I

Features - extremely fair to pale skin, red or blonde hair and blue or green eyes. Skin tanning response – highly sensitive, always burns but never tans.

Type II

Features – fair skin, and blue, green or hazel eyes. Skin tanning response – very much sensitive, burns easily but tans poorly.

Type III

Features – normal to white skin, no particular eye or hair colour associated. Skin tanning response – sun sensitive skin, tans after initial burning.  

Type IV

Features – light brown to olive skin, usually dark coloured hair and brown eyes. Skin tanning response – minimum sun sensitivity, burns minimally but tans easily. 

Type V

Features – brown to dark olive skin, almost always have black to dark brown hair and brown eyes. Skin tanning response – usually insensitive to the sun, does not burn but readily tans.

Type VI

Features – dark brown to black skin, black hair and dark brown eyes. Skin tanning response – sun-insensitive and deeply pigmented, never burns but always tans. 

Knowing this is essential in order to treat patients safely and effectively.

AustralianAesthetic Devices provides high-quality equipment at affordable cost and also offers training on laser hair removal to properly address patients of varying skin types.