Skin types are defined according to colour and sensitivity to sunlight. There are 6 broad types of skin ranging from pale white and very light sensitive, through to black skin which is the least reactive to sunlight. Your propensity to tanning is a good indication of your skin type. Find out yours.
Skin type, along with hair colour also determines whether you are suitable for laser hair removal. This is because laser will only react with a pigment. This is why Laser treatment is great for a patient with skin type 1 and dark hair as well as a patient with skin type 4 and dark hair. The temperature of the laser can be customised to suit the skin type, as long as the hair to be removed contains a pigment and the skins pigment is not darker than the hair to be removed.
Skin type 1
Unexposed skin colour – White
Sensitivity to light – Very sensitive
Sunburn and tanning history – Always burns, never tans
Suitable for laser hair removal? – Yes
Skin type 2
Unexposed skin colour – White
Sensitivity to light – Very sensitive
Sunburn and tanning history – Always burns, tans minimally & with difficulty
Suitable for laser hair removal? – Yes
Skin type 3
Unexposed skin colour – White
Sensitivity to light – Very sensitive
Sunburn and tanning history – Burns minimally, tans gradually & uniformly
Suitable for laser hair removal? – Yes
Skin type 4
Unexposed skin colour – Light brown
Sensitivity to light – Very sensitive
Sunburn and tanning history – Burns minimally, always tans well
Suitable for laser hair removal? – Yes
Skin type 5
Unexposed skin colour – Brown
Sensitivity to light – Moderately sensitive
Sunburn and tanning history – Barely burns, tans profusely
Suitable for laser hair removal? – Possibly (call 0113 380 0990 for more info)
Skin type 6
Unexposed skin colour – Black
Sensitivity to light – Insensitive or least reactive
Sunburn and tanning history – Never burns, tans deeply
Suitable for laser hair removal? – Not likely because the Laser will react with pigment only, in most cases with this skin type the skin tends to be darker than the actual hair growth, therefore the laser will react with the skin, rather than reacting with the hair follicle.
For more information on how to discern your skin type, and find out if you are suitable for laser hair removal, call Freedom on 0113 380 0990. For a limited time, we are offering a FREE consultation with our qualified, experienced laser therapists. Call or book online now.
