But what exactly is skin typing? And how do you find your skin type?
We’ve written a short but comprehensive guide with everything you need to know about skin typing below.
Let’s dive in!
Introduction to Fitzpatrick Skin Types
When we talk about skin typing in the aesthetics and skin care world, we often talk about the Fitzpatrick Skin Types (or Phototypes), which were developed back in 1975 in order to help determine how likely a person is to burn or tan from UV light.
The Fitzpatrick Skin Types (or Phototypes) are exhibited on a scale, ranging from Type I (always burns) to Type VI (never burns):
While the scale’s original purpose was to help determine a patient’s risk of burning or tanning when exposed to UV light, it’s often used for a number of other things as well.
It has been used by medical professionals to assess risk for sunburn and skin cancer, and most commonly in the aesthetics world, it’s used to determine the dose of photo-therapy, UV, or laser therapy a person can have to treat certain skin disorders.
For example, the PicoSure® laser doesn't work as well for tattoo removal on skin types above Type III.
And the amount of IPL sessions you need may increase or decrease based on your skin type, as well.
The Fitzpatrick Scale Classifications
So, what are the skin types, and what do they mean for you?
Here are the general classifications for each skin type:
- Type I: Always burns, never tans (high sensitivity).
- Type II: Burns easily, tans minimally.
- Type III: Burns moderately, tans gradually.
- Type IV: Burns minimally, tans well.
- Type V: Rarely burns, tans profusely.
- Type VI: Never burns (least sensitive).
And a visual guide to help you determine your skin phototype:
Understanding your skin type, whether through the FST or alternative scales, can be crucial for effective skin care and sun protection.
When it comes to sun damage, here is a general guide:
- Types I & II: Higher risk of sun damage and skin cancer; diligent sun protection is vital.
- Types III & IV: Moderate risk; consistent sun protection is still necessary.
- Types V & VI: Lower skin cancer risk but higher chance of late-stage diagnosis; awareness and protection are key.
Additionally, skin typing is very useful when it comes to skin treatment planning.
Here at West Wilson Aesthetics, we’ve included the Fitzpatrick scale on every service & laser page to help you determine the efficacy of the treatment during your research.
However, Dr. Lagueux and her staff are best to address any particular skin typing questions in person at your first consultation.
The Limitations of Fitzpatrick Skin Typing (FST)
Understanding your Fitzpatrick Skin Type (FST) can help in skin treatment planning and provide insights into potential skin cancer risks.
However, it's crucial to acknowledge the scale’s limitations.
The biggest limitation in the Fitzpatrick Scale is the scope for diverse skin tones.
Back in 1975, the FST didn’t include darker skin tones well, focusing mostly on lighter skin. And even though more categories were added later, the scale doesn’t fully capture the variety of skin tones in people of color.
There is also room for misclassification and misconception.
If a person misclassifies their race or skin type, they could subsequently underestimate their risk of skin cancer and in turn, lead to late diagnoses and treatments.
Which is why the Fitzpatrick Scale isn’t perfect.
It’s critical to discuss skin typing with your doctor when planning for sun damage prevention or before starting any laser treatment.
Alternatives to the Fitzpatrick Scale
To address the shortcomings mentioned above, researchers have created additional methods of determining skin tones in recent years.
If you fall in the skin tone classifications III - VI, you may find alternative scales helpful, which have been researched and introduced based on genetic and racial backgrounds.
A few examples include:
- Genetico-Racial Skin Classification: Six categories ranging from Nordics to Asians.
- Glogau Wrinkle Scale: Specifically for self-identified white individuals, focusing on photoaging.
- Goldman World Classification: Considers skin color and responses to burning, tanning, and hyperpigmentation.
- Lancer Ethnicity Scale: Used alongside or independently of the FST, it helps determine risks for specific cosmetic procedures.
Sun Protection for All Skin Types
Irrespective of skin type, everyone should practice diligent sun protection:
Here are our tips:
- Use broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 daily.
- Reapply sunscreen regularly.
- Perform self-examinations and schedule professional skin checks annually.
- Limit sun exposure and wear protective clothing.
Skin Typing: The Takeaway
While the Fitzpatrick Scale remains a valuable tool for skin type classification and treatment planning, it's essential to acknowledge and understand its limitations, especially for individuals with darker skin tones.
For personalized insights and understanding of your skin’s unique needs and risks, consultation with a skincare professional is key.
We recommend scheduling a consultation with our medically trained staff at West Wilson Aesthetics for a definitive skin type analysis, guiding you on how laser treatments and UV exposure might impact your skin.
You can book a consultation anytime by using the link here.
Until next time!
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