Melanin-rich skin is not a contraindication — it is a specialty. Practices that build the protocols to serve Fitzpatrick IV–VI patients gain a defensible position in nearly every U.S. market.
The five pillars
1. Six-week pre-treatment tyrosinase management.
2. Device selection informed by wavelength and pulse duration — not brand loyalty.
3. Intra-treatment endpoint discipline; conservatism compounds.
4. Structured post-treatment inflammation control.
5. Long-term maintenance protocols that prevent recurrence.
The full clinical deep-dive lives on our Skin of Color Institute page.