Fitzpatrick Skin Phototype

Does my skin have a number or rating?
Yes, and knowing it can come in very handy and also save you from a disastrous outcome.

If you had to describe your skin’s colour or tone, what would you say? Fair? Olive? Dark?
Well, you might be spot on with that assessment. But, Fitzpatrick skin typing is a way of classifying the degree of risk for sunburn and skin cancer by correlating skin types with certain characteristics.

It’s called the Fitzpatrick Scale. Originally developed in 1975, based on the amount of melanin – that’s the pigment that determines skin colour – in the skin, and therefore the skin’s response to being exposed to the sun, the scale has six skin types. Numbered I (1) to VI (6), each type has some standout or typical features.

What’s the value of knowing your number?
UV rays from the sun can increase the risk of several types of skin cancer, including melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers. Research suggests that roughly 65% of melanomas and 90% of non-melanomas are caused by sun exposure. Sun exposure can also cause sunburn and accelerate skin ageing.

Scientists established the Fitzpatrick skin types by testing people’s reactions to the sun. The results showed clear trends and allowed researchers to identify six different skin types based on the amount of melanin present in each person’s skin.

A 2013 study confirmed that the Fitzpatrick scale is useful in identifying who is most at risk of sunburn, but it also found that the assessment is more effective when conducted by a dermatologist rather than an individual.

So, what is your number?
It is important to keep in mind that these descriptions are only a guide. A person’s skin type may not fit neatly into one category. For example, an individual’s skin may appear pale but tan rather than burning in the sun.

The system acts as a guide rather than a definitive classification.
THIS QUIZ will give you your FP number and can be as important as knowing your blood type.