Fitzpatrick Skin Type vs The Monk Skin Tone Scale In Inclusive Skin Treatments?
- KL
- May 13
- 4 min read
Updated: Jun 30
Most people in the skincare world have heard of the Fitzpatrick Skin Type system. Developed by dermatologist Thomas B. Fitzpatrick in 1975, it’s been widely used to assess how skin responds to UV exposure—mainly to help determine sun sensitivity and risk of burning. But while it’s still used in dermatology and aesthetics today, it was originally designed with lighter skin types in mind and doesn’t fully reflect the range of skin tones we see in real life.
The Monk Skin Tone Scale, introduced in 2022 by Harvard sociologist Dr. Ellis Monk in collaboration with Google, offers a broader and more inclusive approach. It focuses on skin tone appearance and was created to reduce racial bias in tech and media. While it wasn’t developed for skin treatments, it’s become a helpful and more inclusive tool for evaluating treatment candidacy at OLIS SKIN.
Index
What is a Fitzpatrick Skin Type?
The Fitzpatrick Skin Type system was developed in 1975 by dermatologist Dr. Thomas B. Fitzpatrick. It classifies skin based on how it reacts to ultraviolet (UV) light—specifically, how likely it is to burn or tan.
The system includes six types:
Type I: Very fair skin, always burns, never tans
Type II: Fair skin, usually burns, tans minimally
Type III: Medium skin, may burn but tans gradually
Type IV: Olive or light brown skin, rarely burns, tans easily
Type V: Brown skin, very rarely burns, tans very easily
Type VI: Deeply pigmented dark brown or Black skin, never burns
This scale is still used in dermatology and aesthetics, especially for evaluating sun damage risk or planning treatments that involve light or heat. But it’s based on UV reactivity and doesn’t account for undertones or nuanced shades.
What is The Monk Skin Tone Scale?
The Monk Skin Tone Scale was introduced in 2022 by Harvard sociologist Dr. Ellis Monk, in partnership with Google. It was created to help reduce racial bias in technology by offering a more representative spectrum of skin tones across AI, digital platforms, and media.
The scale includes 10 distinct shades, from light to deep.
While it wasn’t designed specifically for skin treatments, we’ve adopted it at OLIS SKIN because it was created with inclusivity in mind. It helps us approach treatments more thoughtfully, especially when working with melanin-rich skin or evaluating whether a service may carry a higher risk of pigmentation changes.
It’s not perfect. No scale can capture every skin tone. But it gives us a more human-centered starting point for safer, more personalized care.
Why Adopting the Monk Skin Tone Scale Matters to Us
At OLIS SKIN, accurate skin assessments are crucial to recommend treatments that are not just effective, but safe. Some services, especially those that use light or heat like Fibroblast Plasma, can carry a higher risk of post-inflammatory pigmentation in melanin-rich skin.
We’ve adopted the Monk Skin Tone Scale because it offers a more inclusive way to assess tone. It helps guide our decisions when it comes to treatment safety, patch testing, and offering alternatives like Jet Plasma when needed.
This approach supports what matters most to us: providing care that is thoughtful, inclusive, and tailored to each client.
How We Use the Monk Skin Tone Scale at
OLIS SKIN To Support Inclusive Skin Treatments
We use the Monk Skin Tone Scale to help guide our treatment recommendations for services that carry a higher risk of pigmentation changes. One example is Fibroblast Skin Tightening, which uses heat to tighten skin and trigger collagen. For melanin-rich skin, this can increase the chance of hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation.
Here’s how we apply the scale:
For Monk Skin Tone Scale 1–4: A patch test is recommended four weeks prior to your appointment. If you do not want a patch test, we will have you sign a waiver.
For Monk Skin Tone Scale 5–6: A patch test is mandatory.
For Monk Skin Tone Scale 7–10: This Monk Skin Tone range is not safe for Fibroblast treatment due to the increased chance of healing with either hypo or hyperpigmentation.
If you're not a candidate for Fibroblast, we’ll walk you through other options. Cold Jet Plasma, for example, is a incredible, non-invasive alternative that’s safe for all skin tones.
Final Thoughts
At OLIS SKIN, we’ve chosen to adopt the Monk Scale where it makes sense for our treatments, especially when planning services like Fibroblast Skin Tightening, that carry a higher risk of pigment disruption. It’s part of how we make our care more informed, more intentional, and more aligned with the people we serve.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
OLIS SKIN in Long Beach is here to make the experience thoughtful, safe, and tailored just for you. Nurse Jen is a Registered Nurse with advanced certifications in Jet Plasma, Fibroblast Skin Tightening, and paramedical tattooing, specializing in Inkless Stretch Mark & Scar Revision, so you’re in expert hands from start to finish.
New to OLIS SKIN? Mention this article when you book your consultation and get 15% off your first treatment.
For our BIPOC and trans communities: We're committed to creating more accessible and inclusive care. Complimentary consultations and 25% off all services are available to you, always. Please reach out directly to Nurse Jen prior to booking: 310.846.3046
Reviewed and approved by Nurse Jen, Registered Nurse and founder of OLIS SKIN.
OLIS SKIN @ Salon Row
195 E 4th St, Suite 25
Long Beach, CA 90802
Visit www.olisskin.com to book online or call/text 310.846.3046
