Utah Esthetics Written State Practice Exam

Which Fitzpatrick skin type is most prone to keloid formation?

1. Type I

2. Type IV

3. Type V

4. Type VI

The correct answer is: Type VI

The most prone skin type to keloid formation is Type VI, which represents individuals with dark skin, typically of African descent. Keloids are an abnormal response to skin injury where collagen forms excessively, leading to raised scars that can grow beyond the site of the original injury. In darker skin types like Type VI, the skin has a higher tendency to produce excess melanin and collagen in response to injury, which can contribute to the development of keloids. This happens due to the differences in the wound healing processes and the genetic predisposition to form these types of scars. On the other hand, lighter skin types like Type I, which includes fair-skinned individuals, generally have a lower incidence of keloid formation as their healing process tends to result in flatter scars. Understanding the characteristics of different Fitzpatrick skin types is crucial for estheticians, as it informs them of the potential skin responses to treatments and procedures, allowing them to take appropriate precautions based on the skin type.