Fitzpatrick skin type
Dermatology
Also known as: Fitzpatrick skin phototype · Hauttyp nach Fitzpatrick · Fitzpatrick-Hauttypen · Fitzpatrick deri tipi · Fitzpatrick skin phototype classification (types I–VI)
What it is for
The Fitzpatrick classification sorts skin into six sun-reactive phototypes by how readily it burns and how readily it tans after sun exposure without protection; it is based mainly on the person's own report of burning and tanning, with constitutive skin colour as a guide.
Classification
| Category | Description |
|---|---|
| Type I | very fair skin; always burns, never tans. |
| Type II | fair skin; usually burns, tans minimally. |
| Type III | medium (darker white) skin; sometimes burns, tans gradually. |
| Type IV | olive or light brown skin; rarely burns, tans easily. |
| Type V | brown skin; very rarely burns, tans very easily. |
| Type VI | dark brown to black, deeply pigmented skin; never burns. |
| Note | it describes UV reactivity, not ethnicity; assignment is partly subjective. |
Source
The validity and practicality of sun-reactive skin types I through VI
Arch Dermatol 1988;124:869–871 (Fitzpatrick TB)
DOI: 10.1001/archderm.124.6.869
PMID: 3377516
- Edition
- Fitzpatrick 1988 (types I–VI; original 1975 scheme had types I–IV)
- Checked on
Summary of the published classification in our own words. Not a substitute for the original publication.
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