We all know that we should choose beauty products that complement our skin tone, but few of us are aware that our skin type can affect how prone we are to wrinkles and visible signs of ageing, the likeliness of getting acne and even how well our scars heal. In fact, a recent survey commissioned by KELO-COTE®, found that 59% of people are not aware that different skin types (e.g. pigmentation) and particular hair colours are more likely to scar than others.
We spoke to Dr Conal Perrett, Medical Director and leading Consultant Dermatologist at The Devonshire Clinic, to find out how your skin pigmentation type impacts your risk of scarring and how you can best care for your skin:
What is the Fitzpatrick scale?
Dr Perrett explains; “The Fitzpatrick skin types are grouped according to your genetic predisposition to melanin (pigment) found in your skin cells. The scale is widely used by dermatologists and aesthetic practitioners to determine ethnic risk factors to treatments, potential hazards for sunburn, skin cancer, hyperpigmentation and scarring risks. When identifying your skin type, I would suggest looking at the shade of skin not regularly exposed to the sun, such as your stomach, to determine your true skin tone”.