So... you've finally decided that the hair on your chin or down the side of your face has to go! You've selected a medical spa that you feel comfortable using and determined what hair needs to be removed. Great! Ummm... Do you know what your skin type is? Do you know about the Fitzpatrick Typing? No... Well, here's some information I think is going to help.
The Fitzpatrick Skin Type was developed by Dr. Thomas B. Fitzpatrick of Harvard medical school in 1975. What he found was that most people, when exposed to the sun, seemed to fall into 1 of 6 different areas. Below are the results he found:
1. I: This first category is highly sensitive to the sun, seems to always burn and it never tans. Most people that fall into this category have pale white skin 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. Also, people with numerous freckles or are albino are in this classification.
2. II: This category of people is very sensitive to the sun and will easily burn. There is very little if any tanning when people in this classification have been exposed to the sun. Most people with fair skin and blue eyes would be characterized as having this Fitzpatrick type.
3. III: People being a darker shade of white would be classified into this Third (III) Area. Those in this category are usually sensitive to the sun. They will sometimes burn when they are exposed to the sun. There is some tanning involved but it's usually a slow tan and become a light brown. Examples of this would be people of European mix and darker Caucasians.
4. IV: Skin of this type will encompass a large part of our population. People with who fall into this classification are usually a light brown. They are minimally sensitive to the sun and usually have minimal sun burning. These people will tan to a medium brown. Most people that are classified as type IV have light brown skin. This is a very large group of people and part of one of these heritages: American Indian, Hispanic, Mediterranean, Asian or European. Like I said this is a very large part of our population!
5. V: Brown skin... The people in this group usually are not sensitive to the sun and they will very rarely get sun burns. They will also tan very well to a medium or dark brown. Most people that are in this group are Hispanic, Middle Eastern or Afro-American.
6. 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. These people have a very dark pigmentation and are usually from Afro-American, Middle Eastern or African heritage.
Why is this important? Because of the laser used and how much energy is applied. This will affect how the treatments go and what effect the laser may have on you. Make sure the technician has given you the Fitzpatrick Questionnaire so you are paired with the correct laser treatment. Remember; always ask questions of your practitioner so you feel comfortable with their expertise!
Carlos Geventa loves to write about and covers many different areas that he finds interesting. He also writes about his experiences from his adventures. His recent trip for laser hair removal while in Chicago was an inspiration for numerous articles nuumedspa.com/laser_hair_removal.htm Chicago Laser Hair Removal
No comments:
Post a Comment