Skin types

Skin types for facial treatments

Determining your skin type is fundamental for effective skincare and protecting skin health. Skin types are typically divided into five main categories:

1. Normal skin

Features : Uniform texture, few or no impurities, no sensitive areas and a healthy, matte finish.
Care : Requires balanced care to maintain its condition. Light moisturizers and gentle cleansing products are usually sufficient.

2. Dry skin

Characteristics : Rough, scaly, or flaky, often with a feeling of tightness, especially after cleansing. Prone to redness and itching.
Care : Products that provide intense moisture and strengthen the skin barrier are essential. Rich moisturizing creams and gentle, hydrating cleansers are recommended. Avoid hot water and frequent washing.

3. Oily skin

Characteristics : Shiny appearance, large pores, prone to acne and blackheads due to excessive sebum production.
Care : Cleansing with products specifically formulated for oily skin can help remove excess sebum. Lightweight, oil-free moisturizers and the occasional use of toners or exfoliating sheets are beneficial.

4. Combination skin

Characteristics : A combination of oily and dry areas on the skin, with the T-zone (forehead, nose and chin) usually being oily and the cheeks dry.
Skincare : Combination skin often requires a tailored skincare routine that combines products for dry and oily skin. The goal is to maintain the skin's balance by treating the respective areas appropriately.

5. Sensitive skin

Characteristics : Reacts easily to certain substances or environmental factors with redness, itching, burning or rash.
Care : Use products that are free from potentially irritating ingredients such as fragrances, alcohol, and parabens. Gentle cleansing and moisturizing are important to protect the skin barrier and minimize irritation.

Important to note

Skin can change over time and with age, and external factors such as climate, season, and lifestyle can influence its condition. Regularly assessing your skin's condition can help you adjust your skincare routine accordingly. It's also advisable to consult a dermatologist for persistent skin problems to receive specific treatment and recommendations.

Skin types for laser treatments

The Fitzpatrick skin type classification system is a scientifically recognized system for classifying different skin types based on their response to ultraviolet (UV) radiation and their ability to tan. Developed in the 1970s by Thomas Fitzpatrick, a dermatologist at Harvard Medical School, this system is widely used in dermatology to assess risks of sunburn and skin cancer, and to select appropriate sun protection measures. It also aids in choosing parameters for cosmetic procedures such as laser treatments.

The Fitzpatrick skin type classification system divides the skin into six types:

Type I

Skin color : Very fair or ivory
Reaction to the sun : Always burns, never tans
Characteristics : Often light eyes, red or blond hair, freckles
Risk : Highest risk of sunburn and skin cancer

Type II

Skin color : Light
Reaction to the sun : Burns easily, tans minimally
Characteristics : Often light eyes, light hair
Risk : High risk of sunburn and skin cancer

Type III

Skin tone : Light to medium
Sun reaction : Burns moderately, gradually tans to a light tan.
Features : Wider range of eye and hair colors
Risk : Moderate risk of sunburn, increased risk of skin cancer

Type IV

Skin color : Olive or medium
Reaction to the sun : Rarely burns, tans easily
Features : Dark eyes and hair
Risk : Lower risk of sunburn, some risk of skin cancer

Type V

Skin color : Dark brown
Reaction to the sun : Very rarely burns, tans easily
Features : Dark brown eyes and hair
Risk : Low risk of sunburn, but still a risk of skin cancer, especially certain types such as acrolentiginous melanoma.

Type VI

Skin color : Very dark brown to black
Reaction to the sun : Never burns, turns deep brown
Features : Very dark eyes and hair
Risk : Minimal risk of sunburn, but certain types of skin cancer may be harder to detect, delaying diagnosis.

The Fitzpatrick skin type classification is a useful tool for providing individualized recommendations for sun protection and skincare, and for assessing the risk of skin damage and skin cancer. It emphasizes the importance of sun protection for all skin types, although the risk of sunburn and skin cancer varies depending on skin type.