Everyone’s skin is unique. If you have a darker complexion, then you may be wondering if aesthetic treatments, many of which seem to be marketed primarily to people with lighter skin, can work for you. In the medical aesthetic field, shades of skin are categorized into Fitzpatrick skin types I-VI, and this is what providers consider when recommending treatments to clients. Knowing your skin type can help you choose which aesthetic treatments are right for you. Read on to learn about Fitzpatrick skin types I-VI and which treatment technologies will give you the results you’re looking for while still being safe for your skin.
The Fitzpatrick skin phototype classification system is a way of determining skin type based on the levels of melanin pigment in the skin. Melanin levels correlate directly to how skin reacts to sun exposure and UV radiation, as well as other forms of irritation. For example, paler skin burns easily and tans poorly, while darker skin is less prone to sunburn but more likely to develop postinflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) marks after injury. Here are the Fitzpatrick skin types I-VI:
Skin Type |
Typical Features |
Tanning Ability |
I |
Pale white skin; red or blond hair; blue/green eyes; freckles |
Always burns, never tans |
II |
Fair skin; red or blond hair; blue, hazel, or green eyes |
Burns easily, tans with difficulty |
III |
Darker white; any eye or hair color |
Sometimes mild burn, gradually tans |
IV |
Light brown skin |
Burns only slightly, tans easily |
V |
Brown skin |
Rarely burns, easily tans darkly |
VI |
Dark brown or black skin |
Never burns, always tans darkly very easily |
*Source: https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/multimedia/table/fitzpatrick-skin-type-classification
Up until recently, medical aesthetic technology wasn’t as safe for Fitzpatrick skin types IV-VI, which includes many people of color. This has thankfully changed. The latest advances in technology have made the most sought-after treatments safer for a wider range of skin types. Still, you want to make sure that the technology powering your aesthetic treatments is the best one for your unique needs. Start by choosing a clinic or med spa that clearly demonstrates its knowledge when it comes to darker skin. They should mention whether their treatments are safe for all skin types in their marketing, and have testimonials and before-and-after photos from clients of color. It’s also important to do your own research to make sure the technology used is right for you.
All Venus Concept devices are designed to be safe for a wide range of skin types. Moreover, some of our technologies have made it possible for people with darker skin to get treatments they wouldn’t have been able to get before without incurring the risk of side effects like PIH. Read on to learn more about the science behind the devices making the most popular treatments safe for you.
An integral part of our Venus Legacy™, Venus Versa™, Venus Viva™ MD, and Venus Bliss™ machines, our proprietary (MP)2 applicator combines Multi-Polar Radio Frequency (RF) and Pulsed Electro Magnetic Fields (PEMF) with advanced VariPulse™ technology. Proven to be safe for all shades of skin, RF energy is color-blind and effective at tightening skin and reducing circumference for a smoother, more contoured appearance. The applicator’s VariPulse™ algorithm calculates a quick and safe buildup of heat, maintaining a therapeutic temperature throughout the treatment for a safe and comfortable treatment experience.
Backed by clinically validated effectiveness in fat reduction, cellulite reduction, skin tightening, and circumference reduction, the diode laser technology that powers our Venus Bliss™ treatments is a comprehensive non-invasive lipolysis solution that delivers powerful results. The 1064 nm diode laser applicators on Venus Bliss™ give you the ability to control the wavelength intensity of the treatment, making it safe for a broader spectrum of skin types than other fat reduction therapies on the market. Our Venus Bliss™ ambassador, Venus Williams, loves what Venus Bliss™ treatments have done for her—and you will, too.
Diode laser and Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) are both safe and effective technologies for hair removal, specifically IPL hair removal for Fitzpatrick skin types I-IV and diode laser hair removal for all skin types. Venus Versa™, Venus Velocity™, and Venus Epileve™ devices balance optimal melanin absorption with a real-time cooling system for combined comfort and efficacy. With versatile modes for adjusting the treatment based on your skin, Venus Concept hair removal treatments are powerful enough to deliver visible results while still being safe and comfortable for all skin types.
One of the most sought-after aesthetic treatments today, skin resurfacing helps reduce the appearance of acne scars, stretch marks, rosacea, deep wrinkles, enlarged pores, uneven skin texture, and hyperpigmentation for all skin types. Our Venus Viva™ MD skin resurfacing device allows complete control of the resurfacing process so that your provider can customize the treatment based on your skin’s unique needs. Venus Viva™ MD treatments have a lower incidence of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, or PIH, which can be a cause for concern among side effects of skin resurfacing for people with Fitzpatrick Skin Types IV-VI, making it a safe solution for patients of all skin types.
Find these and more aesthetic treatments that are safe for your skin type at a clinic near you by clicking the button below.
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REGULATORY CLEARANCES [ More ]
Venus Versa™ has CE Mark as a multi-application device intended to be used in aesthetic and cosmetic procedures. The SR515 and SR580 applicators have CE Mark for the treatment of benign pigmented epidermal and cutaneous lesions and treatment of benign cutaneous vascular lesions. The HR650/HR650XL and HR690/HR690XL applicators have CE Mark for the removal of unwanted hair and to effect stable long-term or permanent hair reduction for Fitzpatrick skin types I-IV. The AC Dual applicator has CE Mark for the treatment of acne vulgaris. The DiamondPolar™ applicator has CE Mark for non-invasive treatment of moderate to severe facial wrinkles and rhytides on females with Fitzpatrick skin types I-IV. The OctiPolar™ applicator on the Venus Versa™ system has CE Mark for temporary body contouring via skin tightening, circumferential reduction, and cellulite reduction. The NanoFractional RF™ (Viva) applicator has CE Mark for dermatological procedures requiring ablation and resurfacing of the skin.
NeoGraft® 2.0 has CE Mark and TGA with indication for use in suction-assisted follicular extraction and re-implantation for males and females.
The ARTAS iX™ from Restoration Robotics® is indicated for harvesting hair follicles from the scalp in men diagnosed with androgenic alopecia (male pattern hair loss) who have black or brown straight hair. The ARTAS iX™ from Restoration Robotics® is intended to assist physicians in identifying and extracting hair follicular units from the scalp during hair transplantation; creating recipient sites; and implanting harvested hair follicles.
Venus Epileve™ has CE Mark for hair removal, permanent hair reduction (defined as the long-term stable reduction in the number of hairs re-growing when measured at 6, 9 and 12 months after the completion of a treatment regimen), and the treatment of pseudofolliculitis barbae for all Fitzpatrick skin types. Venus Epileve™ is also CE-Marked for hirsutism.
Venus Legacy™ has CE Mark for the temporary increase of skin tightening, circumferential reduction, cellulite reduction, and wrinkle reduction.
Venus Velocity™ has CE Mark for hair removal, permanent hair reduction (defined as the long-term stable reduction in the number of hairs re-growing when measured at 6, 9 and 12 months after the completion of a treatment regimen), and the treatment of pseudofolliculitis barbae for all Fitzpatrick skin types.
Venus Viva™ has CE Mark for the use in dermatologic and general surgical procedures requiring ablation and resurfacing of the skin, and the treatment of moderate to severe facial wrinkles and rhytides in Fitzpatrick skin types I-IV with the DiamondPolar™ applicator.
Venus Freeze Plus™ has CE Mark for treatment of moderate to severe facial wrinkles and rhytides using the DiamondPolar™ applicator, and CE Mark for the treatment of cellulite reduction, increase of skin tightening, and temporary circumferential reduction on the OctiPolar™ applicator.
Venus Freeze™ has CE Mark for treatment of moderate to severe facial wrinkles and rhytides using the DiamondPolar™ applicator, and CE Mark for the treatment of cellulite reduction, increase of skin tightening, and temporary circumferential reduction on the OctiPolar™ applicator.
Venus Glow™ provides a dermal rejuvenation treatment that works to open up and deep-clean pores. Venus Concept is the exclusive distributor for Venus Glow™.
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