Skin Types

SECTION 1 — Understanding Your Skin Type

A Clinical Overview of How Your Skin Behaves

SENSITIVE Skin

Sensitive skin is a reactive condition that can occur in any skin type. It requires gentle, barrier‑focused care.

How it behaves

• Reacts quickly to heat, friction, and active ingredients

• Barrier is often compromised

• Inflammation lasts longer

• Capillaries may be fragile

Prone to

• Redness

• Rosacea

• Stinging or burning

• Post‑treatment inflammation

What we assess

• Barrier strength

• Trigger patterns

• Vascular reactivity

• Fitzpatrick classification

****

DRY Skin

Dry skin lacks oil, not water.

How it behaves

• Reduced sebum

• Weaker lipid barrier

• Increased moisture loss

• Fine lines appear earlier

Prone to

• Flaking

• Rough texture

• Tightness

• Premature ageing

What we assess

• Barrier integrity

• Dehydration vs dryness

• Sensitivity to heat

****

NORMAL Skin

Balanced, resilient, and predictable.

How it behaves

• Stable oil and water levels

• Strong barrier

• Even cell turnover

Prone to

• Mild dehydration

• Early ageing

• Occasional congestion

What we assess

• Subtle texture changes

• Early laxity

****

COMBINATION Skin

Different behaviours in different areas.

How it behaves

• Oily T‑zone

• Dry or normal cheeks

• Pores vary in size

Prone to

• Congestion

• Dryness

• Makeup breakdown

What we assess

• Oil distribution

• Pore density

• Dehydration patterns

****

OILY Skin

Oily skin produces excess sebum.

How it behaves

• Enlarged sebaceous glands

• Thicker epidermis

• Slower cell turnover

Prone to

• Breakouts

• Blackheads

• Shine

• Texture irregularities

What we assess

• Type of oiliness

• Pore congestion

• Acne triggers

Fitzpatrick Skin Types I–VI

How Your Skin Responds to UV & Energy‑Based Treatments

Fitzpatrick I — Very fair, always burns

Fitzpatrick II — Fair, burns easily

Fitzpatrick III — Light–medium

Fitzpatrick IV — Olive/light brown

Fitzpatrick V — Brown

Fitzpatrick VI — Deep brown/black

Gendered Skin Biology & Treatment Response

Female Skin

• Thinner dermis

• Lower collagen

• More dehydration

• Hormonal sensitivity

Male Skin

• 20–25% thicker

• Higher collagen

• Larger pores

• Coarser texture

How Age Influences Skin Behaviour

Young Skin — high collagen, fast healing

Early Ageing — collagen decline, early laxity

Mature Skin — thinning dermis, crepey texture

Advanced Ageing — fragile skin, slow healing

All Skin Types

Skin behaves differently across the full spectrum of tones. Both lighter and melanin‑rich skin require tailored, inflammation‑aware, and barrier‑respectful treatment planning.

****

White / Light Skin

Specialist Care for Fitzpatrick I–III

White and light skin tones have lower melanin density and a different inflammatory profile, requiring careful management of sensitivity, redness, and barrier integrity.

How it behaves

• Lower melanin activity

• Higher UV vulnerability

• More prone to erythema and sensitivity

• Often thinner epidermis

Prone to

• Sunburn

• Diffuse redness / rosacea

• Photo‑ageing

• Barrier impairment

What we assess

• Sensitivity threshold

• Redness / vascular activity

• UV damage

• Barrier function

****

Skin of Colour

Specialist Care for Fitzpatrick IV–VI

Skin of colour requires melanin‑safe, inflammation‑aware treatment planning.

How it behaves

• Higher melanin activity

• Stronger inflammatory response

• Higher risk of pigmentation

• Often thicker dermis

Prone to

• PIH (post‑inflammatory hyperpigmentation)

• Melasma

• Keloid formation

• Uneven tone

What we assess

• Melanin density

• PIH history

• Heat sensitivity

• Hormonal pigmentation patterns

****

ETHNIC Skin

Understanding African, Caribbean, Asian, Middle Eastern & Mixed‑Heritage Skin

Ethnic skin is melanin‑rich, resilient, and ages slowly — but requires specialist, melanin‑safe treatment planning.

Your treatment plan is always tailored to your:

• Skin type

• Sensitivity

• Melanin level

• Fitzpatrick type

• Age

• Gendered biology

• Barrier health

• Lifestyle

• Medical history

• Treatment goals

Safe. Ethical. Clinically precise. Beautifully you.