A Comprehensive Guide:

Fitzpatrick Skin Type

In aesthetics, knowing your skin type helps you choose the appropriate laser therapies. Here is an overview of the six skin types in the Fitzpatrick comprehensive guidelines.

book now

Fitzpatrick Skin Types Defined

Type I: Very Fair Skin

Characteristics: Pale white or ivory complexion, often burns easily
Sun sensitivity: High risk of sunburn, minimal tanning
Common features: Freckles, red or blonde hair, blue or green eyes
Ethnicity: Caucasian (English, Scottish)

All devices are safe for this skin type.

Type II: Fair SKin

Characteristics: Fair skin with a light beige or peach undertone
Sun sensitivity: Moderate risk of sunburn, gradual tan
Common features: Light hair, blue or green eyes
Ethnicity: Caucasian (Northern European)

All devices are safe for this skin type.

Type III: Medium Skin

Characteristics: Light to medium brown complexion
Sun sensitivity: Mild risk of sunburn, tan developing steadily
Common features: Darker hair, various eye colors
Ethnicity: Caucasian (German)

All devices are safe for this skin type.

Type IV: Olive Skin

Characteristics: Olive or light brown complexion
Sun sensitivity: Minimal risk of sunburn, moderate tanning
Common features: Dark hair, brown eyes
Ethnicity: Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, Hispanic backgrounds, and mixed races

Nd:YAG, Alexandrite, Diode, Nonablative, Fractional CO2, Q-switch/Pico, thulium, RF Microneedling, Cold Fiber Lasers, Ultrasound Technology, Radio Frequency Skin Tightening, and Erbium are safe for this skin type.

Type V: Brown Skin

Characteristics: Dark brown complexion
Sun sensitivity: Rarely sunburns, significant tanning
Common features: Dark hair, brown eyes
Ethnicity: African American, Indians, and Middle Eastern

Nd:YAG, RF microneedling,Cold Fiber Lasers, Ultrasound Technology, Radio Frequency Skin Tightening, and Q-switch/Pico are safe for this skin type.

Type VI: Black Skin

Characteristics: Deeply pigmented black or dark brown complexion
Sun sensitivity: Almost sunburns, intense tanning
Common features: Dark hair, brown eyes
Ethnicity: African American and Middle Eastern

Nd:YAG, RF microneedling,Cold Fiber Lasers, Ultrasound Technology, Radio Frequency Skin Tightening, and Q-switch/Pico are safe for this skin type.

click to find fitzpatrick skin provider

Explore Procedures

Learn About Devices

Skin resurfacing: CO2/Erbium

Explore differences in treatment depth, downtime, and results….
Learn More

Fractional Non-Ablative Lasers

Cutting-edge lasers are used in dermatology and aesthetic medicine to resurface the skin with minimal downtime….
Learn More

Laser Tattoo Removal

Are you regretting a tattoo that seemed like such a great idea at the time? Fear not! Thanks to technology…
Learn More

Photofacial: IPL and BBL

IPL (intense pulsed light) and BBL (broadband light) are light-based technologies used for various skin treatments, including hair removal….
Learn More

Laser Hair Removal

Laser hair removal is a popular option for people who want a more permanent solution for facial hair, body hair,…
Learn More

Thulium Laser: LaseMD Ultra

Laser is designed to rejuvenate the skin by utilizing non-ablative, fractionated treatments….
Learn More

Pulse Dye Laser (PDL): V-Beam

It is primarily used to treat vascular conditions such as rosacea, spider veins, port-wine stains, and certain types of birthmarks….
Learn More

Cold Fiber: UltraClear Laser

Revolutionary technology introducing the first laser of its kind for all skin types….
Learn More

Radio Frequency Skin Tightening

Treatment involves heating the lower dermis layer to stimulate collagen production and dissolve fat….
Learn More

Vaginal Rejuvenation

Vaginal rejuvenation includes procedures to address issues like laxity and incontinence caused by childbirth, aging and genetics….
Learn More

Common Conditions

Photo before and after treatment for acne. A young girl with a problem skin. Skin treatments. Cosmetology and professional skin care.
Acne Scars
Acne scars are permanent textural changes that occur on the…
woman asymmetric lips as a result after lip augmentation with hyaluronic acid filler entered incorrectly, bad result, cosmetologist's mistake, contour lip plastic surgery.
Aesthetic Complications
Complications can arise during or after a treatment by any…
close-up of the face of a middle-aged woman
Age Spots
Age spots are flat, brown, or grayish patches that appear…
leg lady problem, a Broken Capillaries detail
Broken Capillaries
Blood vessels, specifically capillaries, are tiny blood vessels that connect…
Woman with cellulite problem on dark background
Cellulite
Cellulite is a prevalent skin condition primarily affecting women. It…
Forty years old woman looking at wrinkles in mirror. Plastic surgery and collagen injections. Makeup. Macro face. Selective focus on the face
Collagen Depletion
Collagen is a vital protein found abundantly in the body….
Mature woman with double chin receiving injection in clinic
Double Chin
A double chin refers to the accumulation of excess fat…
genderaffirm-compressed
Gender affirming services
Care designed to support and affirm an individual’s gender identity….
Caucasian man checking his hair. Hair loss problem
Hair Loss
Hair loss refers to excessive shedding or thinning of hair…
cropped shot of hair removal procedure
Hair Removal
Practitioners can eliminate unwanted hair from the body through various…
hands filler-compressed
Hand rejuvenation
Procedures to improve the appearance of the hands by restoring…
Compare man's eye before and after a blepharoplasty. Man aging problem eyes with wrinkle , big bag under eye and crow's feet in caucasian man middle age.
Hooded Eyes
Hooded eyes refer to an eye shape characterized by an…
Comparison Portrait of Beautiful Asian woman. Dark spots and new skin, Before - After skin care and clean concept, Beauty treatment process of aging for rejuvenation.
Hyperpigmentation / Pigmentation
Pigmentation refers to the coloring of the skin, which is…
Ingrown Hair Problem. Portrait Of Unshaved Black Guy Touching Neck With Bristle While Standing Near Mirror In Bathroom, Unhappy African American Man Making Morning Beauty Routine At Home
Ingrown Hair
Folliculitis, or ingrown hairs, is a dermatological condition characterized by…
Jowls Edit
Jowls
Jowls refer to the sagging skin and flesh along the…
three pictures compared effect Before and After treatment. skin with problems of freckles , pore , dull skin and wrinkles before and after treatment to solve skin problem for better skin result
Large Pores
Large pores refer to visible openings on the skin surface,…
homme senior vie quotidienne
Libido
Libido, the desire for sex, varies among individuals and can…
Face with open pores and melasma before and after make up or treatment concept.
Melasma
Melasma is a chronic skin disorder that causes brown or…
menopause-compressed
Menopause
Menopause is the natural biological process marking the end of…
Medicine and cosmetology. Portrait of a young beautiful brunette woman with rosacea on her cheeks. Copy space
Rosacea
Rosacea is a chronic skin condition that primarily affects the…
Woman with a scar on her shoulder over white background
Scars
Scars are visible marks that result from the skin’s natural…
A flabby wrinkled excess skin on the neck of a senior woman close up.
Skin Laxity
Skin laxity refers to the loss of elasticity and firmness…
A young girl with a problem skin. Photo before and after treatment for acne and Demodecosis. Skin treatment, spa treatments. Cosmetology and professional skin care.
Skin Redness
Skin redness refers to the visible flushing or reddening of…
Tranquil female patient lying with closed eyes during the laser treatment in a beauty clinic
Skin Resurfacing
Skin resurfacing refers to improving the skin’s texture and appearance…
Stunning woman with flawless facial care, radiant Indian model with impeccable eye makeup, isolated on white. Spa treatment for women's beauty, rejuvenating face lift and filler cosmetics.
Skin Texture
Skin texture refers to the overall smoothness, evenness, and quality…
Cropped shot of young woman in white panties demonstrates stretch marks from a weight loss or weight gain on her thigh isolated on a white background. Body changes. Cosmetology, beauty concept
Stretch Marks
Stretch marks, or striae, are visible lines or streaks on…
Man with sunburn on skin at home
Sun Damage
Sun damage refers to the harmful effects that prolonged exposure…
Naturally strong portrait half-sided of a woman without make-up with sun spots on her face
Sun Spots
Sun spots are flat, brown, or dark spots that appear…
thin eyebrows-compressed
Thin Eyebrows
Eyebrow hair loss can affect anyone, regardless of gender, impacting…
Brunette woman in her 50s in the studio with a pink background with TMJ issues
TMJ
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a hinge joint that connects…
varicose veins-compressed
Varicose Veins
Varicose veins are a common issue due to weak or…
Woman gets volume to chin, reshapes with filler, injection. White female lying on couch. Beauty physician holds syringe near girl's face.Chin reshaping, augmentation.Cosmetologist, aesthetic medicine.
Volume Restoration
Volume restoration refers to replenishing lost volume in specific areas…
Forty years old woman looking at wrinkles in mirror. Plastic surgery and collagen injections. Makeup. Macro face. Selective focus on the face. Realistic images with their own imperfections.
Wrinkles
Wrinkles are visible lines and creases that appear on the…
click to find fitzpatrick skin provider
List Your Practice