Latin skin — Fitzpatrick phototypes IV, V, and VI — has a key particularity: more melanin, higher risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) when heat is applied. That's why NOT all lasers are safe on darker skin. Wrong technology can leave spots that take months to fade. Here's the clear guide: what to use, what to avoid, how to mitigate risk.
Fitzpatrick scale applied to Latin America
Most Peruvian patients fall between phototypes III (light skin that tans), IV (medium/mestiza), and V (distinctly darker). It's essential that the clinician correctly identifies your phototype before any laser procedure — parameters shift significantly.
Safety by technology
| Technology | Phototype I-III | Phototype IV | Phototype V-VI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Picosecond laser 1064 nm | Safe | Safe | Safe |
| Diode laser hair removal | Safe | Safe | Safe |
| Morpheus8 (radiofrequency) | Safe | Safe | Safe (RF doesn't affect melanin) |
| HIFU (ultrasound) | Safe | Safe | Safe |
| Picosecond 532/755 nm | Safe | With caution | With caution |
| IPL (intense pulsed light) | Safe | Risky | Avoid |
| Fractional CO₂ laser | Safe | With caution + prep | Avoid, use picosecond |
| Alexandrite 755 nm | Safe | Risky | Avoid |
Why some lasers are risky on darker skin
Lasers targeting melanin (IPL, Alexandrite, some picosecond wavelengths) can't distinguish between melanin in a sun spot you want removed and the natural melanin in your darker skin. In phototypes I-III, the contrast is large, the laser absorbs selectively into the target pigment. In phototypes V-VI, natural melanin also absorbs — and burns, leaving lighter or darker marks.
That's why at Elyzea, for darker-skin patients:
- ✦ Spots and melasma: picosecond laser 1064 nm (penetrates deep, doesn't affect epidermis)
- ✦ Hair removal: diode laser with cold handpiece (reduces epidermal temperature)
- ✦ Texture rejuvenation: Morpheus8 (RF doesn't affect melanin) or HIFU
- ✦ Acne scars on phototype V-VI: we prefer deep Morpheus8 over CO₂ due to PIH risk
How to prevent post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation
- ✦ Prep: 2-4 weeks before laser, apply gentle topical depigmenting agents
- ✦ Strict sun protection 2 weeks before and 4-6 weeks after
- ✦ Conservative parameters: lower fluence, lower density
- ✦ Sessions spaced farther apart (6 weeks vs 4 weeks)
- ✦ If PIH appears, treat quickly with depigmenting agents and strict sun protection
At Elyzea
Dra. Geldres evaluates every phototype from the start. We don't use generic "for Latin skin" parameters — each patient has their specific skin. In 5 years we haven't had a single burn case on phototype V patients thanks to consistently applied technical judgment.
Explore our picosecond laser treatments and diode laser hair removal safe for all phototypes.