Fitzpatrick what?
The Fitzpatrick Scale is a method of skin classification that is based on your genetics, ethnicity, and more. The reason it’s important is that certain skin types react to acids differently.
Sidenote: If you want to follow along, grab your free goodies & worksheet so you can fill this out as your go!
Basically, the skin’s melanin content is a KEY factor when choosing the appropriate peel.
Mostly due to Pre & Post peel treatments that may be needed.
For those of us that are at more at-risk to temporary or permanent color changes in the skin it’s important we follow the right protocol.
Darker skin types are at a much higher risk of PIH (Post Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation), which is why they should always follow a pre-treatment regimen of an alpha arbutin or hydroquinone melanin inhibition therapy prior to any peels. This can greatly reduce the risk of any post peel issues.
We’ll cover that in more depth later in the lessons.
Which are you?
It’s actually very easy. There are six Fitzpatrick types. I, II, III, IV, V and VI.
There are many ranges of colors, so we are going to think about not only your skin’s color, but your eye and hair color, along with your heritage and even how susceptible you are to burn in the sun.
Let’s get started. Look at each column on the following chart and find out where you fit then move on to the next lesson!
23 Responses
What if you are a combination of Fitzpatrick types???
Hello Margaret thanks for your patience. We answered your question on our live event last Thursday. Check it out here and look for your time-stamped question at 6:48: https://peeluniversity.com/live-qa-september-9th-2021/
I am a red head with hazel eyes, but I tan 1 and 3 class
Hello Kathy, thanks for your patience. We answered your question on our live event last Thursday. Check it out here and look for your time-stamped question at 6:00: https://peeluniversity.com/live-qa-september-9th-2021/
This is deep.
I easily tan but if I am in the sun too long I will burn then tan. I have fair skin, normally I buy the 2nd lightest color in foundation. Brown hair , green/hazel eyes. I am confused about what skin type I have.
Hi Jen, we answered your question on the Live! Just look for your name in the timestamped area. https://peeluniversity.com/peel-university-live-qa-december-14th-2021/
Hi , I don’t usually burn, but if I’m out for an extended period of time directly in the sun I will burn. I have brown hair and hazel eyes. I’m not sure but I’m guessing I’m either a 3 or 4, I’m just not completely sure.
Try to find yourself on the chart here to pick your number.
Hello. I do not know exactly if my skin type is south european or mediterranean. how do I get the accurate one?
Just try to match up the closest coloring on the chart. If you have some pigmentation in there.. most likely you will need to pretreat. Ethnic skin can get PIH… and that is what we are trying to prevent by using the melanin inhibitors. Olive skin… skin that gets DARKER (brown) after a pimple or bug bite… that would need pretreatment.
Everyone has an ethnicity, so what does “ethnic” skin mean? “Colored people”?
Hello. Yes, we are referring to skin in the Fitzpatrick 4-6 categories. Olive and Darker skin coloring. 🙂 0
As everyone has an ethnicity, regardless of their skin colour, why does ‘Ethnic skin’ only refer to people who have dark skin?
Why not just say dark skin?
Hello. This is just meant to be an easier way than stating out all of the Fitzpatrick colors. When we are referring to darker skin types – then those that fall into the middle eastern range or Asian ranges think they do not have “darker skin”. … or they are “light for their heritage”… so we want to stress that even if your skin IS lighter … if you fall into the Heritage ranges we are suggesting, that you should still pretreat to help prevent PIH when using acids like peels. 🙂
I’m German in category 3 and am considered light olive toned skin. How should I prepare for a peel.
Hello. If you are doing the milder acids like lactic/mandelic/glycolic/salicylic .. then just the normal prepping is fine.
If you are wishing to do either TCA or Jessners, we suggest that anyone with olive+ skin use a melanin inhibitor for 3-4 weeks to help prevent PIH which is more prevalent in skin colors/heritages.
I am 72. Type 3. olive t-tone skin. I look like 45 to 50 years old. All I need to focus on upper lip lines, some wrinkles and I do not have brown spots on my face. Is dream peel is better for me.
Thank you
I generally like to suggest a few things. 1. Retinoids – but every day! So Dream Peel is 1x per month, and will be an Amazing addition to your regimen, but start with your daily retinoid first. 2. I would like to push you instead towards the TCA 13. OR even 7 if you are leery about using an acid. 7 is a great starter peel. TCA is going to really help to stimulate the collagen in the skin, and this is what we need for those tougher lines. You can do an allover face peel .. and even do an extra layer on those upper lip lines. In the future you can also do the TCA Peel + the Dream Peel in the same session for really boosted results.
Hi there! I’m keen to get started, the only thing is that I’m not sure which products I need. I tan easily, have medium olive skin naturally, green eyes, brown hair. I’m 43, with deepish marionette, neck and chest lines, AND some hyperpigmentation and melasma on my face and chest. (I do seem to have a permanently red nose, too, if that makes a difference.) I wear SPF 50 daily, and have always taken good care of my skin, use all good quality potions, which has helped maintain the health of my skin overall.
What do you recommend I use to knock out the deeper wrinkles as well as the sun/age spots?
With your skin color we want to prep well. Fade Bright (or another alpha arbutin or hydroquinone product) daily for 4 weeks. This will help with pigmentation now – and will help to prevent/lessen the chances of PIH moving forward with peels. You should also be using;
Acid – cleanser or serum daily.
Antioxidant
Moisturizer
SPF 50
Retinoid at night.
TCA 7 or 13 are great places to start off to really tackle deeper lines. 7 is super if this is brand new to you! Watch our TCA application video to see how simple this is.
Type 6
You are at the darkest range. That means that we wish for you to prep extensively prior to any peels. Use a melanin inhibitor for 4+ weeks and then choose a lower % of acid for safety and avoiding/lessening the possibility of PIH.