The same laser that works beautifully on pale skin can burn or discolor darker skin if the settings are wrong. The reason is melanin. This article explains how your Fitzpatrick skin type changes your risk, which laser choices are safer for brown and black skin, and the exact questions to ask so you are treated safely rather than becoming a cautionary tale.
Why skin type changes everything
Many lasers target pigment or are absorbed partly by it. Melanin in the skin competes for that laser energy. In darker skin, more melanin sits in the epidermis, so more of the laser’s heat can be absorbed where you do not want it. That mismatch is what causes burns, blistering, and pigment changes.
The Fitzpatrick scale in plain terms
| Type | Skin | Laser risk profile |
| I to II | Very fair, burns easily | Lower pigment risk; many devices suitable |
| III to IV | Olive to light brown | Moderate risk; settings and device matter |
| V to VI | Brown to deep brown/black | Higher risk of burns and hyperpigmentation; device choice is critical |
This scale,