Which laser wavelength is generally safer for Fitzpatrick skin types IV–VI?

• A. 755 nm Alexandrite
• B. 810 nm Diode
• C. 1064 nm Nd:YAG
• D. 694 nm Ruby

Answer: (C)

Choosing a laser wavelength for darker skin hinges on how much epidermal melanin will absorb the energy. The safer options are those that the epidermis absorbs less, so heat stays in the hair follicle rather than the surface. The 1064 nm Nd:YAG wavelength does just that: its longer wavelength is absorbed less by epidermal melanin and it penetrates deeper, so you can heat the follicle with a lower risk of burns or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation in Fitzpatrick skin types IV–VI. Shorter wavelengths, like 755 nm or 694 nm, are more strongly absorbed by surface melanin, increasing the chance of epidermal injury in darker skin. The 810 nm diode sits between these in terms of absorption and risk, but it doesn’t offer the same level of safety for high-mmelanin skin as 1064 nm. So, 1064 nm Nd:YAG is generally the safer choice for these skin types because it minimizes epidermal heating while effectively targeting the hair follicle.