Not all skin is the same! We all have varying shades of pigmentation, textures and moisture levels. Because of this, skin treatments must be approached with this delicate understanding in mind. With different skin types, comes different methods for keeping your skin healthy. At Hall and Wrye, we understand this and treat everyone’s skin with the unique attention it deserves.
Fitzpatrick Scale for Skin
Why should I know my skin type?
Knowing your skin type ensures you are getting the proper products and treatments for your skin. Using the wrong products or treatments can cause damage to your skin that takes additional time and effort to resolve. When finding your skin type, it is wise to visit a professional that can accurately help you determine where your skin lands on the scale. This is something we do every day for our clients.
What is the scale?
The Fitzpatrick Scale is a system created in 1975 to help determine skin type for health and treatment purposes. The classifications of the scale help you identify your skin’s reaction to sun exposure based on your skin’s pigmentation. The scale is clear with basic distinctions separated into 6 categories.
Type 1
Type 1 on the scale encompasses very light pigment in skin, eyes, and hair. The skin color could be classified as ivory with light eyes whether blue, green, or gray, and light hair. With hair it does not only consider light blonde hair, but red hair as well. This skin type skin almost always has freckles and burns without holding on to a tan.
Type 2
Skin type two considers fair skin that is still more on the paler side. Eyes color will fall under blue, green, or gray with a neutral blonde hair color. This usually freckled skin type is characterized as being prone to peeling or burning with a higher possibility of tanning, but leaving a tan is comparatively rare.
Type 3
Skin type 3 moves towards more tan skin types. Skin will move from pale and be beiger with golden undertones. The eye color will range from hazel to light brown. Freckles may be seen on this skin, which occasionally burns, but sometimes tans.
Type 4
At this point, the skin types take a turn towards darker tones. Type 4 skin would have an olive complexion or light brown with dark brown eyes and hair with the ability to tan often.
Type 5
At skin type 5, the skin is dark brown with eyes and hair that are dark brown or black. This skin type rarely has freckles, rarely burns and almost always tans or darkens.
Type 6
Type 6 is characterized as being the richest, deepest dark brown pigmentation. The eyes will be dark brown leaning towards black with black hair and zero freckles, no burning, and always tans.
Once your skin type is settled it may reveal a higher risk for skin conditions if you fall into types 1 or 2. For all skin types it is important to remember to protect yourself from the sun! Between using sunscreen, wearing protective clothing, or avoiding sun exposure during times of day when the sun is at its peak, it is important to protect your skin.
Determining your skin type is a critical aspect of skin treatments! At Hall and Wrye, we have the expertise to determine what tools will get you the best results for your skin in the most efficient way possible.