I've been a caretaker of an elderly woman with dementia for over two years. I've seen the effects of this mental affliction, and how devastating it can be to loved ones. This is why I am a firm believer in seeking a professional diagnosis, so the patient may receive necessary care and treatment. Once diagnosed at the onset of symptoms, a plan can be devised. Through social interaction and daily care, my charge has achieved a higher quality of life. If your loved one has been diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimer's disease, you can make a difference. Love will find a way.
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Dementia and Your Loved One
Why Does Fitzpatrick Skin Type Matter For Skin Rejuvenation Treatments?
Vickie Armstrong
The Fitzpatrick skin type scale was originally developed to help doctors determine a person's risk of burning when exposed to UV light. While dermatologists may refer to this scale to assess the risk of sunburn and skin cancer, this scale is also an important tool for skin rejuvenation treatments. The Fitzpatrick scale measures how much melanin, or pigment, a person has.
Why Is It Used for Skin Rejuvenation Treatments?
This scale is helpful in certain skin rejuvenation treatments, such as intense pulsed light (IPL) treatments and ablative laser treatments (CO2 lasers, fractional, etc.) where the outer layers of skin are removed to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, discoloration, and rosacea. The laser dosage may be different from person to person depending on their skin type.
Besides looking at the Fitzpatrick scale, a doctor may also consult other scales, such as the Lancer Ethnicity Scale and the Roberts Skin Type System, to assess the side effects of chemical peels, such as burns or inflammation.
Does the Scale Limit Certain Skin Rejuvenation Treatments?
The Fitzpatrick scale doesn't inherently limit certain treatments; rather, it provides health providers with useful data so that they can reduce the risk of side effects. For example, patients with more melanin in their skin may absorb more laser energy, so a low-dose laser may be ideal to reduce the risk of epidermal injury. Some people may need to take a hydroquinone cream to reduce the risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Non-ablative, non-fractured lasers can also reduce the risk of injury for certain skin types since they only affect the upper layers of skin rather than the epidermis.
Like laser rejuvenation skin treatments, some skin types may be sensitive to chemical peels. Chemical peels are popular because they are affordable and can treat a wide variety of skin issues, such as acne scars and photoaging. Like laser treatments, chemical peel dosages can change depending on skin type. Your doctor can change or adjust the acid concentration of the chemical peel and the number of coats applied. One study found that chemical peels could be very safe for Fitzpatrick skin types 1 through 4.
If a patient isn't a good candidate for chemical peels or laser therapy, that doesn't mean they can't undergo skin rejuvenation treatments. They could opt for treatments such as Botox or mechanical ablation (microneedling or dermaplaning).
Contact a med spa to learn more about skin rejuvenation treatments.
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