People who need to be especially careful in the sun are those who have:Ĭertain oral and topical medicines, such as antibiotics, birth control pills, and benzoyl peroxide products, as well as some cosmetics, may increase skin and eye sensitivity to UV in all skin types. People with skin type I are at a particularly high risk and should try to avoid exposure to UV. Type I is the most sensitive and type VI is the least sensitive. Although people with darker complexions are less likely to get skin cancer than people with lighter complexions, they can still develop malignancies and suffer all forms of UV damage.ĭermatologists divide human skin into six types. You have a fair to medium complexion and a tendency to burn before you tan.
In general, people with medium to dark complexions are less sensitive to UV exposure. Examples of Fitzpatrick skin type 1, 2 or 3 include people with ancestors from countries like Ireland, Russia, and some parts of Europe. For more information on the Fitzpatrick Scale please click the link on the right ->. 15 described a three-phase response that occurs in the skin during an immediate-type skin test reaction following the administration of a stimulus (allergen or histamine-positive control). When their skin is exposed to the sun, they get freckles, burn and peel, and they cant get a tan. Hamilton, in Clinical Immunology (Fourth Edition), 2013 Skin tests. They also have light eye colors, like light blue, green, or grey, and their natural hair color is either red or light blonde. It will automatically add up the score for each of the questions answered and at the end of the self-assessment your skin type according to the Fitzpatrick scale will be provided. The first skin type has an ivory color without any skin exposure. Those with immune deficiencies and chronic diseases also tend to be more susceptible to the side-effects of UV exposure. This skin type calculator can be used for self-assessment. People over the age of 50 and under the age of 5 are generally more sensitive to the harmful effects of UV. With beige to medium skin that does tan but can burn, type III patients typically respond very well to treatment with one of the many advanced lasers used at Body+Beauty Lab.
Type 3 Slightly darker, golden skin tone. Often burns and may freckle or lightly tan. Skin always burns and often freckles after sun exposure and does not tan. Rarely burns - tans profusely to dark brownĪre dangers of UV exposure the same for everyone?įactors such as age, health, and skin type all determine how an individual will be affected by UV exposure. Fitzpatrick skin type III: This is the usually the most common skin type seen in patients seeking laser hair removal and a very common skin type in general. There are six Fitzpatrick skin types as outlined below: Type 1 Typically very light skin, hair, and eyes. Burns moderately – tans gradually to light brownīurns minimally - tans well to moderately brown