Many lasers are only cleared for treating certain skin tones. The most common way to categorize skin for lasers is the Fitzpatrick Skin Type, which divides everyone into six groups based on sensitivity to the sun.
Laser use on skin types V and VI (5 and 6) should be done with extra caution if at all. These skin types are much more likely to get side effects like blistering, discoloration and scarring than types I and II.
The ideal laser candidate has Type I or II skin and dark brown or black hair.
Here’s a link to a nice online test to estimate your skin type (this is no substitute for a dermatologist assessment):
Sarah Alexander: Skin Type Test
Please note that I did not make up either the test or the Fitzpatrick scale.
[ September 04, 2002, 11:05 PM: Message edited by: Andrea ]