What is Fitzpatrick Skin Type?

What comes to your mind when you hear Fitzpatrick skin type? Well, when I read it my instant reaction was what the hell. I am being honest with you. Normal, oily, dry skin types were fine but Fitzpatrick skin type was absurd. I wondered if such small and relatively easy names like dry and oily could pose so many threats what would this Fitzpatrick (name itself is so complicated for a skin type) would do?

Well, here is what I found out about it.

In 1975, Thomas B. Fitzpatrick, MD, PhD, of Harvard Medical School developed a classification system for skin types. This scale classifies a person’s complexion and their tolerance of sunlight. Today, this classification system is used by many practitioners to determine what products and treatments are appropriate for a particular person. It is used by many practitioners to determine how someone will respond to facial treatments, and how likely they are to get skin cancer. And how likely they are to get skin cancer or develop Actinic Keratosis. It measures several components: Genetic Disposition, Reaction to Sun Exposure and Tanning Habits.

Fitzpatrick Classification Scale

Fitzpatrick skin type

The Fitzpatrick Skin Type Chart

You can use this skin-type chart for self-assessment, by adding up the score for each of the questions you’ve answered.

Fitzpatrick

Fitzpatrick

Skin Type score

Fitzpatrick

TYPE I: Highly sensitive, always burns, never tans. Example: Red hair with freckles
TYPE II: Very sun sensitive, burns easily, tans minimally. Example: Fair skinned, fair hairedCaucasians
TYPE III: Sun sensitive skin, sometimes burns, slowly tans to light brown. Example: DarkerCaucasians.
TYPE IV: Minimally sun sensitive, burns minimally, always tans to moderate brown.Example: Mediterranian type Caucasians, some Hispanics.
TYPE V: Sun insensitive skin, rarely burns, tans well. Example: Some Hispanics, someBlacks
TYPE VI: Sun insensitive, never burns, deeply pigmented. Example: Darker Blacks.

You can quickly and easily determine to which of the above classification do you belong.

Also Read:
Skin Care: How To Determine Your Skin Type

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16 thoughts on “What is Fitzpatrick Skin Type?

  1. well, its not particularly “what the hell”, as this classification is meant to be of use for us dermatologists to help us determine the ideal treatment for a particular patient (e.g. choice among a variety of chemical peels), rather than be of general use.

  2. :thanks: :thanks: :thanks: :thanks: me got about mine skin: TYPE IV: Minimally sun sensitive, burns minimally, always tans to moderate brown.Example: Mediterranian type Caucasians, some Hispanics. :secret2: :secret2: :secret2:

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