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Fitzpatrick skin phototype
The classification known as the Fitzpatrick skin type (or phototype) depends on the amount of melanin pigment in the skin. This is determined by constitutional colour (white, brown or black skin) and the result of exposure to ultraviolet radiation (tanning). Pale or white skin burns easily and tans slowly and poorly: it needs more protection against sun exposure. Darker skin burns less and tans more easily. It is also more prone to develop postinflammatory pigmentation after injury (brown marks).
| Skin type | Typical features | Tanning ability |
|---|---|---|
| I | Pale white skin, blue/green eyes, blond/red hair | Always burns, does not tan |
| II | Fair skin, blue eyes | Burns easily, tans poorly |
| III | Darker white skin | Tans after initial burn |
| IV | Light brown skin | Burns minimally, tans easily |
| V | Brown skin | Rarely burns, tans darkly easily |
| VI | Dark brown or black skin | Never burns, always tans darkly |
Light to dark skin types
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Related information
On DermNet NZ
- Skin and hair colour
- Skin pigmentation
- Sun protection
- Sunburn
- Melanoma in skin of colour
- Ultraviolet radiation
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