Not exactly. But knowing your skin type helps you understand how to take care of your skin better. In this article, we will delve deeper into the Fitzpatrick skin scale, the different types of Fitzpatrick skin, the risks associated, and how to protect your Fitzpatrick skin. Keep reading to know more. The first classified skin types in this scale were types 1-3. Fitzpatrick conducted an outdoor sunscreen study in Brisbane, Australia, and those who participated were fair-skinned people. They were exposed to the midday sun and were classified into three categories (based on how their skin reacted):

Type 1: included those whose skin burned easily but did not tan at all. Type 2: included those whose skin burned easily but did not tan easily (these were mostly red-haired and freckled individuals). Type 3: included those whose skin burned and tanned moderately after an hour of midday sun exposure and got dark and pigmented immediately (1).

However, later, researchers identified more skin types and further extended the list. The U.S Food And Drug Administration adopted the Fitzpatrick skin classification in 1972 to evaluate the SPF value of sunscreens. The current classification system includes six different skin types (we have discussed that later in the article). These skin types were mainly determined by genetic disposition, tanning habits (sunbathing, using tanning beds and tanning creams), and how the skin reacts to sun exposure. Once you know your Fitzpatrick skin type, it gets easier for you to understand what precautions you need to take to protect your skin. Let’s now take a look at the Fitzpatrick skin classification. Note: Some of you may find that your skin type does not fit completely into any of these classifications. In such cases, choose the one where you find the maximum matches. Now, let’s find out your skin type.

What Are The Different Fitzpatrick Skin Types?

Fitzpatrick Skin Type 1

Common Characteristics

Skin Color (before sun exposure): Ivory Eye Color: Light gray, light blue, light green Hair Color: Blond or red

How This Skin Type Reacts To The Sun

Always freckles Doesn’t tan Always peels Always burns

Fitzpatrick Skin Type 2

Common Characteristics

Skin Color (before sun exposure): Fair (or pale) Eye Color: Blue, green, or gray Hair Color: Blond

How This Skin Type Reacts To The Sun

Often freckles Rarely tans Often peels Often burns

Fitzpatrick Skin Type 3

Common Characteristics

Skin Color (before sun exposure): Beige or fair with golden undertone Eye Color: Brown or hazel Hair Color: Light brown or dark blonde

How This Skin Type Reacts To The Sun

May freckle Burns occasionally Tans occasionally

Fitzpatrick Skin Type 4

Common Characteristics

Skin Color (before sun exposure): Light brown or olive Eye Color: Dark brown Hair Color: Dark brown

How This Skin Type Reacts To The Sun

Doesn’t freckle Rarely burns Often tans

Fitzpatrick Skin Type 5

 Common Characteristics

Skin Color (before sun exposure): Brown or dark brown Eye Color: Dark brown Hair Color: Dark brown or black

How This Skin Type Reacts To The Sun

Rarely freckles Hardly burns Always tans

Fitzpatrick Skin Type 6

 Common Characteristics

Skin Color (before sun exposure): Dark brown to darkest brown or black Eye Color: Brownish black Hair Color: Black

How This Skin Type Reacts To The Sun

Never freckles Never burns Always tans darkly

Now, you are aware of your skin type and how it reacts to sun exposure. But what risk does it carry for you and how can you prevent that? Find the answers in the next section.

Risks Associated With Your Skin Type And How To Protect It

Fitzpatrick Skin Types 1 And 2 If you fall into this category, you are at risk of developing:

Skin cancer (melanoma) Sun-induced skin aging Sun damage (1)

To protect your skin,

Always use sunscreen with SPF 30 or more. Avoid excessive exposure to the sun and stay in the shade when you are out. Always wear protective clothing and use a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses (with UV block). Do an all-over body check to locate any abnormalities in your skin.

Fitzpatrick Skin Types 3 To 6 If you fall into this category, you are still at risk of developing:

Skin cancer (melanoma) Sun damage Photoaging

This is especially true for those who have Fitzpatrick Skin Type 3 (1). According to Maritza I. Perez, MD and Senior Vice President of the Skin Cancer Foundation, people with darker skin tones are also at the risk of developing melanoma. Though it is true that excess melanin helps protect the skin to a certain extent, it is a misconception that those with darker skin cannot get sunburned or develop skin cancer (2). To protect your skin,

Avoid excessive sun exposure. Use protective clothing and wear wide-brimmed hats whenever you are spending a long time under the sun. Use a sunscreen with SPF 15 and more. Check your skin for any changes.

Acral Lentiginous Melanoma (ALM), a type of melanoma that appears under the nails and on the palms and feet soles, is common in people who have dark skin (2). Apart from determining the extent and risk of sun damage, Fitzpatrick Skin Type classification is used for:

1. Determining the chances of successful results before laser hair removal.

If you have a higher degree of preablative pigmentation, it will increase your risk of developing hyper or hypopigmentation after laser hair removal. In that case, Fitzpatrick Skin Types 4-6 have a greater chance of experiencing

Edema Skin crusting Blistering Scarring Dyspigmentation (1)

2. Finding out the success rate (with minimal risk) of chemical peeling and dermabrasion.

Fitzpatrick Skin Types 1 to 3 have minimal risk of developing pigmentary complications, but there is the risk of developing postoperative erythema. Fitzpatrick Skin Types 4 to 6 have a higher risk of developing pigmentary complications and deep wounds.

3. Finding your tolerance to bleaching agents.

Fitzpatrick Skin Types 1 to 3 may experience some topical reactions, but usually, the side effects go away once you stop using the product. However, those with darker skin tones might experience

Dryness Irritation Post inflammatory hyperpigmentation

References

What is the most common Fitzpatrick skin type? The most common type of Fitzpatrick skin type is type 3, followed by types 1 and 2 (3). What is true of Type 6 skin on the Fitzpatrick scale? Individuals with type 6 on the Fitzpatrick scale never burn their skin and tan quickly. However, they are still at a lower risk of developing skin cancer and photoaging than types 1 to 3.