Did you know that dermatologist actually caterogize people by their skin type? I didn’t… Why you might ask? Because (especially if they are using laser hair removal) the machines they use are calibrated by your skin type.
So what are the skin types? Well, first let me tell you a little about who discovered them.
A gentleman by the name of Dr. Thomas B. Fitzpatrick of Harvard medical school developed this rating scale in 1975. What he found was that almost all people, when exposed to the sun could be grouped into 1 of 6 different groups. These are labeled Skin Type I-VI.
Skin Type I: This group usually consists of people who have very pale skin and are very sensitive to the sun. This skin type always burns when they are out in the sun. Eye and hair color seems to be an indicator as well. Those with red or blond hair and blue/hazel eyes usually are of type I skin. Also, people with numerous freckles or are albino.
Skin Type II: Skin of this type is usually very sensitive to the sun and burns easily. There is none to very little tanning with this skin type. Most people with fair skin and blue eyes would be characterized as having skin type II. But they do make good candidates for laser hair removal as the lasers can discern betwe
en the skin and the darker hair follicle!
Skin Type III: Darker white skin will normally fall into this group. They are sensitive to the sun and will sometimes burn. They do tan but is a slow tan and the skin will become a light brown color. Examples of this skin type would be people of European mix and darker Caucasians.
Skin Type IV: People with this skin type normally have a darker skin color and they are minimually affected by the sun. There is very little sun burning and they readily tan to a medium brown. This is a very large group of people in our society and they usually are part of one of these heritages: American Indian, Hispanic, Mediterranean, Asian or European. You see… this is definitely a large part of our population today.
Skin Type V: Skin Type V: Brown skin… The person with this skin type usually is not sensitive to the sun and they will very rarely get sun burns. Their skin also tans very well to a medium or dark brown. Most people that are in this skin type are Hispanic, Middle Eastern or Afro-American.
Skin Type VI: Skin Type VI: The last but not the least is the skin type that is not sensitive to the sun at all and it never sun burns. This skin has a very dark pigmentation and is usually from Afro-American, Middle Eastern or African heritage.
I guess you are probably wondering why I’m telling you this… It’s because when you go to get laser hair removal whether it’s in Chicago or another city, they should have you fill out a questionnaire. This questionnaire is what’s used to determine you Fitzpatrick Skin Type. This is important because the technician will use your skin type to help set up the laser’s energy level! The laser needs to pass through your Skin and target the hair follicle underneath. Now you can see why it’s a good thing thing to know your skin type. You can ask intelligent questions of your technician and hopefully understand his answers when he talks about your skin type of how he came up with your skin type using the Fitzpatrick Skin Typing!
Come back again as i discover and learn more about laser hair removal in all cities including Chicago…
