A well-known classification of skin type is the Fitzpatrick scale, which was developed in 1975 by a dermatologist, Dr. Thomas Fitzpatrick. This classification system for human skin types is based on the response to ultraviolet light. The type of skin varies from skin type 1, which always burns and never tans, to type 6, which never burns but always tans darkly. The Fitzpatrick skin type classification is now a recognized tool in dermatology for understanding skin pigmentation, predicting sun damage risk, and guiding treatment decisions, especially the laser skin treatments and laser hair removal.

Type 1: Very pale skin, often with freckles, always burns, never tans.

Type 2: Fair skin, often with freckles, burns easily, tense minimally.

Type 3: Fair skin, tans after initial burn, may freckle.

Type 4: Light brown skin that tans easily and rarely burns

Type 5: Medium brown skin dances easily and rarely burns.

Type 6: Dark brown & black skin, never burns, tans darkly

• Observe your skin’s reaction to sun exposure. Do you burn easily or tan readily? How long does the tan last?
• Consider your skin color, hair color, and eye color.
• Are your creases in the palm darker? Then it might put you in a darker Fitzpatrick.
• Please refer to the pictures shown on the table in this article and see which of the person’s skin is closest to your skin.
• Consult with a physician knowledgeable in understanding the Fitzpatrick skin types.

• Knowing your skin type helps the physician to select the right cosmetic procedures and also to choose the right lasers for hair removal and skin rejuvenation.
• This knowledge also helps choose the appropriate sun protection measures and pretreatments for certain procedures.
• Fitzpatrick skin types can also help predict skin cancer risk.

• The side effects with laser treatments and other minimally invasive cosmetic treatments are significantly higher in darker skin types than in lighter skin types due to the presence of excessive melanin in the skin.
• Fitzpatrick skin types could vary in different areas of the body in the same person.
• Certain lasers like Alexandrite and IPL devices cannot be safely used in darker skin types due to high attraction to melanin by Alexandrite lasers.
• For certain laser procedures in darker skin types, it may be beneficial to pretreat for a few weeks with prescription melanin suppressing agents to minimize side effects and get better results from laser and other minimally invasive cosmetic procedures.