THE FITZPATRICK SKIN TYPE SCALE
The Fitzpatrick scale is a numerical classification for human skin color. Developed in 1975 by Thomas B. Fitzpatrick, a Harvard dermatologist, as the way to estimate the response of different types of skin to ultraviolet (UV) light. It remains a recognized tool for dermatological research into human skin pigmentation. Your Skin type is also used to determine your candidacy for lasers, chemical peels, and skincare ingredients.
The spectrum of the Fitzpatrick Scale encompasses all skin colors/types, and ranges from very fair —skin type 1(I) to very dark —skin type 6 (VI)
Factors that influence skin type
The three main factors that influence skin type are:
Genetic disposition: Your skin type is determined by your genetics and is one of the many aspects of your overall appearance, it can dictate your eye color, hair color/type, the depth of your capillaries, the thickness of your skin, and your body’s ability to produce melanin.
Reaction to sun exposure and lasers: The way your skin reacts to sun exposure is another important factor in correctly assessing your skin type, as well as the safe start settings for laser treatments.
Tanning habits: How often do you tan? How easily do you tan? Do you still go in the sun and tan?
Time's up
Skin type features: • Red or blond hair • Blue or green eyes • Very light skin
Skin always burns and never tans in the sun. Seek the shade whenever out in the sun. Is extremely susceptible to damage as well as cancers like basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Skin is also at very high risk for melanoma, the deadliest type of skin cancer. Check skin head-to-toe each month, paying careful attention to any suspicious growths. Have an annual professional skin checkup.
Schedule a FREE skin analysis to learn more about your skin type
Skin type features: • Blonde, light to medium brown hair • Light to medium eyes • Light skin
Skin almost always burns and rarely tans in the sun. Seek the shade whenever out in the sun. Highly susceptible to skin damage as well as cancers like basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. High risk for melanoma, the deadliest type of skin cancer. Check your skin head-to-toe each month, paying careful attention to any suspicious growths. Have an annual professional skin checkup.
Schedule a FREE skin analysis to learn more about your skin type
Skin type features: • Medium brown hair • Medium to dark eyes • Medium to olive skin
Skin sometimes burns and sometimes tans in the sun. Seek the shade whenever out in the sun especially between the hours of 10 AM and 4 PM. Susceptible to skin damage as well as cancers like basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. At risk for melanoma, the deadliest type of skin cancer. Check your skin head-to-toe each month, paying careful attention to any suspicious growths. Have an annual professional skin checkup.
Schedule a FREE skin analysis to learn more about your skin type
Skin type features: • Dark brown to black hair • Medium to dark eyes • Dark olive to light brown skin
You tend to tan easily and are less likely to burn. But you are still at risk; use sunscreen with an SPF of 15+ outside. Check your skin head-to-toe each month, paying careful attention to any suspicious growths, and make sure you have an annual professional skin checkup.
Schedule a FREE skin analysis to learn more about your skin type
Skin type features: • Dark hair • Dark eyes • Dark skin
Skin tans easily and rarely burns, but is still at risk. Acral lentiginous melanoma, a very virulent form of the disease, is more common among darker-skinned people. These melanomas tend to appear on parts of the body not often exposed to the sun, and often remain undetected until after the cancer has spread. Check your skin head-to-toe each month, paying careful attention to any suspicious growths especially on the palms, soles of the feet and mucous membranes. Have an annual professional skin checkup.
Schedule a FREE skin analysis to learn more about your skin type
Skin type features: • Dark hair • Dark eyes • Very dark skin
Although skin does not burn, dark skin is still at risk for skin cancers. Acral lentiginous melanoma, a very virulent form of the disease, is more common among darker-skinned people. These melanomas tend to appear on parts of the body not often exposed to the sun, and often remain undetected until after cancer has spread. Check your skin head-to-toe each month, paying careful attention to any suspicious growths, especially on the palms, soles of the feet and mucous membranes. Have an annual professional skin checkup.