Skin types according to Fitzpatrick
A revised classification of the different skin types was created by the American dermatologist Fitzpatrick. He classified the different skin types according to their sensitivity to light, as well as their appearance and tanning reaction to sunlight. The original classification of skin types 1-4 was supplemented by types 5 and 6.
This classification is still used today to make recommendations for the duration of sunbathing. In addition, there are different recommendations based on the Fitzpatrick skin types regarding the sun protection factor level when using sun creams to prevent sunburn. Especially for the light skin types, such as the “Celtic type” or the “Nordic type”, significantly shorter tolerable times for unprotected exposure to UV radiation apply. You should use a correspondingly higher sun protection factor than is required for the “mixed type” or the “Mediterranean type”.
How can the individual skin type be determined?
Once you have learned about the existence of the different skin types or, if necessary, have obtained further information, you will ask yourself how the skin types can be determined. This is possible, for example, by using tables or different questionnaires on different websites. The tables for determining skin types are usually very rigid, so that there is little room for maneuver if not all features fit a skin type.
With the tabular form, you have to determine the skin type yourself. This can sometimes be difficult, especially if you have features from two similar skin types. In contrast, the question sheets or online tests are much more flexible and user-friendly.
Based on the questions answered, they determine the greatest possible match with one of the skin types and thus determine the skin type for the user. It should be noted that the tests and tables are generally not suitable for determining a child’s skin type and its risk of sunburn, as they generally have much more sensitive skin than adults. There are many different tests on the Internet for determining individual skin types.
These usually differ mainly in the number of questions to be answered, with some only assessing the skin type on the basis of a few questions, while others are very detailed. The more detailed tests are usually recommended, as the probability of matching one’s own skin with the respective skin types increases and therefore the determination is easier. In the tests for determining skin type, questions about one’s own appearance must be answered primarily.
Questions are also asked about the original skin color and the presence of freckles. Furthermore, the color of the eyes and hair is included in the assessment. In addition, the behavior of the skin in relation to sunlight is asked.
Here, the individual risk of possible sunburn as well as the speed of tanning of the skin is in focus. Based on the different answers, an overall score can be calculated to determine the respective skin type. The different skin types differ not only in their visual appearance, but also in their protective mechanisms against the sun.
The lighter the skin type, the more sensitive the skin reacts to direct sunlight. In addition, sun exposure causes the skin to tan differently for different skin types. Skin type 1, for example, hardly tans at all, but is at the same time extremely susceptible to direct sunlight, which in most cases leads to the occurrence of sunburn and increases the risk of developing skin cancer.
The skin of type 4 shows a completely opposite behavior: it is significantly less sensitive to sunlight, but tans within a very short time. In addition, the intrinsic protection time of the skin varies greatly between different skin types. For skin type 1, it is under 10 minutes. In contrast, it is significantly longer for the darker skin types 4 and 6 and is greater than 30 or even 60 minutes.You are interested in the topic skin cancer: Recognizing skin cancer, symptoms of skin cancer
