Page 264 - Blog Posts v1

Torstensson, designed such a device a few years ago using two laser diodes to make such measurements.
The concentration of melanin is the real issue here. Melanin absorbs light across the full visible spectrum resulting in heat generation. Obviously, the higher the melanin concentration, the more heat is generated in the basal layer, and, hence, the more likelihood of epidermal damage.
Another important issue is that the skin colour usually varies across a client/patient’s body – this means we must use different parameters if treating different body areas. Of course, their Fitzpatrick number is the same across the body...
The bottom line is that you must always base your laser/IPL treatments on the skin colour on the day your client/patient is being treated! If their skin is darker, use a lower fluence with more epidermal cooling.
Their Fitzpatrick Skin Type is irrelevant!!
Ciao for now, Mike.
Mike’s Blog Posts 264