Taneesa Williamson How can you ensure safety when treating higher Fitzpatricks?
When it comes to treating patients of a higher Fitzpatrick skin type, understanding your settings and how they impact various skin tones is crucial to ensure safety. But what is the Fitzpatrick system and what can you do to ensure you treat each Fitzpatrick type (especially those that are higher on the scale) safely?
In short, the Fitzpatrick scale is a numerical scale that measures the amount of melanin in the skin after exposure to the sun. The scale was developed to measure how skin reacts to ultraviolet light, or sun exposure, and determines in clinical practice (especially when it comes to Laser or light-based therapies) what settings to use with safety of the patient in mind.
SPA+CLINIC spoke to leading Dermatologist, Dr Michelle Rodrigues from Chroma Dermatology, who specialises in treating patients of colour. We asked her on her insight of treating higher Fitzpatricks and what her pieces of advice are for practitioners.
What is a common observation in your practice as a Dermatologist when it comes to higher Fitzpatricks?
With higher Fitzpatrick skin types I see more hyperpigmentation, higher risks of keloid scars and some really interesting and unique conditions that occur uniquely in certain cultural groups. Unfortunately, I also see many complications from laser and energy-based device therapies. Everything from burns and hypo- and hyperpigmentation to permanent scarring is all too common in those with darker skin types.
How can practitioners ensure safety when it comes to treating various Fitzpatrick types?
The most important thing is getting the diagnosis right first. Because the diagnosis will dictate what treatment options are best. If in doubt, an opinion from a dermatologist should be sought.
Think about the wavelengths you use, turn the fluence of the device right down and make sure you don’t blindly follow manufacturer or company guidelines as this can get you and the patient into trouble very quickly.
When purchasing a new device, what is your advice for practitioners on what to consider before purchasing?
Go with a device that caters for the most common issue you are trying to treat first up. Then it is important to consider not only the overall cost of the device, but the cost of servicing and maintenance each year as well as any associated consumables. Space, electrical requirements and customer service is also important to look into before you purchase any device.
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