Six Skin Types - Hair Removal And Your Skin Type

When we are talking about some forms of hair removal methods, your skin type can help to determine which method will work on you specifically.

In 1975, Thomas B. Fitzpatrick devised a classification system for skin typing. This system was based on a person's physical attributes and response to sun exposure. Today, this system is also used to aid practitioners in the care of their patients. For a successful therapy, especially laser and light hair removal, it is necessary to determine your correct skin type.

The classification system consists of 6 different skin types:

Skin Types

Skin Type

Description

Hair Color

Candidacy

White, always burns easily and severely, painful burn,
tans little or none.

Black

Brown

Red

Blonde

Grey

Excellent

Difficult

Poor

White, usually burns easily and severely, tans minimally.

Black

Brown

Red

Blonde

Grey

Excellent

Difficult

Poor

III

White, tans moderately, tans about average.

Black

Brown

Red

Blonde

Grey

Excellent

Difficult

Poor

White rarely burns, tans easily, exhibits IPD
(immediate pigment darkening).

Black

Brown

Red

Blonde

Grey

Excellent

Difficult

Poor

Brown, rarely burns, always tans and exhibits IPD.

Black

Brown

Red

Blonde

Grey

Difficult

Black, never burns, always tans, exhibits IPD.

Black

Brown

Red

Blonde

Grey

Poor

Find out your skin type

Natural hair color? 0. Sandy red 1. Blond 2. Chestnut or dark blond 3. Brown 4. Black	Do you have freckles? 0. Many 1. Several 2. Few 3. Rare 4. None		How brown do you get? 0. Never 1. Light tan 2. Good tan 3. Great tan 4. Deep dark
Eye color? 0. Light colors 1. Blue, gray, or green 2. Dark 3. Brown 4. Black	When you stay in the sun too long..? 0. Painful blisters, peeling 1. Mild blisters, peeling 2. Burn, mild peeling 3. Rare 4. No burning		Is your face sensitive to the sun? 0. Very sensitive 1. Sensitive 2. Sometimes 3. Resistant 4. Never have a problem
Your skin color? 0. Reddish 1. Pale 2. Beige or olive 3. Brown 4. Dark brown	Do you turn brown? 0. Never 1. Seldom 2. Sometimes 3. Often 4. Always		How often do you tan? 0. Never 1. Seldom 2. Sometimes 3. Often 4. Always
When was your last tan? 0. +3 months ago 1. 2–3 months ago 2. 1–2 months ago 3. Weeks ago 4. Days	The result:
	0–6	Skin Type I
	7–13	Skin Type II
	14–20	Skin Type III
	21–27	Skin Type IV
	28–34	Skin Type V
	35+	Skin Type VI