Why Industry Standards Need to Change:

Introducing the Siemens SAFE Process™

When I first entered aesthetic medicine nearly a decade ago, I, like most providers, relied on the Fitzpatrick Skin Type Scale (FSTS) to guide my laser treatments. It was what every textbook and device manual pointed to.

But over time—and with countless patients in my chair— I realized something: the Fitzpatrick scale wasn’t built for the work we’re doing today.

Where Fitzpatrick Falls Short

The Fitzpatrick scale was developed in 1975 to classify how skin responds to sun exposure. Useful at the time as a dermatology tool, but limited for modern laser medicine.

Here’s why:

• It focuses on UV response, not laser energy.

• It accounts for baseline skin color, but not underlying pigment variations or current skin conditions.

• It over-simplifies ancestry, assuming people who burn or tan similarly will react the same way to laser treatments.

• Most importantly—it fails to guide device or setting selection. It tells you a “type,” but not how to safely adjust fluence, wavelength, cooling or pre/post care.

As a result, providers are left to guess. And guessing with lasers can mean burns, higher incidences of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), or underwhelming results.

The Moment I Knew We Needed Something Better

I remember treating patients who technically “fit” into a Fitzpatrick type but behaved completely differently under laser.

Some had a history of PIH that Fitzpatrick couldn’t capture. Others had mixed ancestry that changed their risk profile. Some had skin barrier issues or recent treatments that made them more reactive. Fitzpatrick had no room for any of that nuance.

The reality was clear: if the system we’re using doesn’t help us predict laser safety and settings, then it’s not enough.

Introducing the Siemens SAFE Process™

That frustration is what led me to create the Siemens SAFE Process™: Skin Assessment for Fluence & Energy.

Unlike Fitzpatrick, SAFE was designed specifically for laser medicine. It doesn’t just categorize—it guides.

SAFE takes providers through five critical factors before selecting laser settings:

• Ancestry – genetic background and its impact on melanin response.

• Skin Response to Heat & Light – not just tanning history, but thermal reactivity.

• Current Skin Presentation – what’s happening today with barrier function, vascularity, or sensitivity.

• Background Pigment Density & Color – beyond surface tone, evaluating deeper pigment risks.

• Response to Treatment History – past healing patterns, history of PIH, or complications.

Together, these factors create a risk profile that’s actionable—helping providers choose the safest fluence, energy, and cooling strategies for each patient for each treatment.

Why SAFE Raises the Standard

SAFE bridges the gap Fitzpatrick leaves wide open. It:

• Provides practical guidance for device settings.

• Reduces the risk of burns, scarring, and PIH.

• Supports personalized treatment planning across diverse patient populations.

• Gives both new and experienced providers confidence in their decision-making.

It’s not about abandoning clinical judgment—it’s about giving us a stronger foundation for it.

The Path Forward

The Siemens SAFE Process™ is more than a new tool—it’s an invitation to elevate our field. Through Kairos Aesthetic Training, I’m teaching providers how to integrate SAFE into their consultations and treatment planning.

Because patients deserve better. Providers deserve better. And our industry deserves to hold itself to a higher standard. SAFE isn't just about safety-it's about confidence, excellence, and transformation.

We've outgrown the limitations of Fitzpatrick. The future of laser medicine demands a better standard-and the SAFE Process was built for that future.

To help you get started, we've put together free training resources you can use right away in your practice! Click here to access them, and let's work together to make laser treatments safer and more effective for every patient we serve.

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Why Industry Standards Need to Change:

Introducing the Siemens SAFE Process™

When I first entered aesthetic medicine nearly a decade ago, I, like most providers, relied on the Fitzpatrick Skin Type Scale (FSTS) to guide my laser treatments. It was what every textbook and device manual pointed to.

But over time—and with countless patients in my chair— I realized something: the Fitzpatrick scale wasn’t built for the work we’re doing today.

Where Fitzpatrick Falls Short

The Fitzpatrick scale was developed in 1975 to classify how skin responds to sun exposure. Useful at the time as a dermatology tool, but limited for modern laser medicine.

Here’s why:

• It focuses on UV response, not laser energy.

• It accounts for baseline skin color, but not underlying pigment variations or current skin conditions.

• It over-simplifies ancestry, assuming people who burn or tan similarly will react the same way to laser treatments.

• Most importantly—it fails to guide device or setting selection. It tells you a “type,” but not how to safely adjust fluence, wavelength, cooling or pre/post care.

As a result, providers are left to guess. And guessing with lasers can mean burns, higher incidences of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), or underwhelming results.

The Moment I Knew We Needed Something Better

I remember treating patients who technically “fit” into a Fitzpatrick type but behaved completely differently under laser.

Some had a history of PIH that Fitzpatrick couldn’t capture. Others had mixed ancestry that changed their risk profile. Some had skin barrier issues or recent treatments that made them more reactive. Fitzpatrick had no room for any of that nuance.

The reality was clear: if the system we’re using doesn’t help us predict laser safety and settings, then it’s not enough.

Introducing the Siemens SAFE Process™

That frustration is what led me to create the Siemens SAFE Process™: Skin Assessment for Fluence & Energy.

Unlike Fitzpatrick, SAFE was designed specifically for laser medicine. It doesn’t just categorize—it guides.

• Ancestry – genetic background and its impact on melanin response.

• Current Skin Presentation – what’s happening today with barrier function, vascularity, or sensitivity.

• Background Pigment Density & Color – beyond surface tone, evaluating deeper pigment risks.

• Response to Treatment History – past healing patterns, history of PIH, or complications.

Together, these factors create a risk profile that’s actionable—helping providers choose the safest fluence, energy, and cooling strategies for each patient for each treatment.

Why SAFE Raises the Standard

SAFE bridges the gap Fitzpatrick leaves wide open. It:

• Provides practical guidance for device settings.

• Reduces the risk of burns, scarring, and PIH.

• Supports personalized treatment planning across diverse patient populations.

• Gives both new and experienced providers confidence in their decision-making.

It’s not about abandoning clinical judgment—it’s about giving us a stronger foundation for it.

The Path Forward

The Siemens SAFE Process™ is more than a new tool—it’s an invitation to elevate our field. Through Kairos Aesthetic Training, I’m teaching providers how to integrate SAFE into their consultations and treatment planning.

Because patients deserve better. Providers deserve better. And our industry deserves to hold itself to a higher standard. SAFE isn't just about safety-it's about confidence, excellence, and transformation.

We've outgrown the limitations of Fitzpatrick. The future of laser medicine demands a better standard-and the SAFE Process was built for that future.

To help you get started, we've put together free training resources you can use right away in your practice! Click here to access them, and let's work together to make laser treatments safer and more effective for every patient we serve.

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