Introduction
The different skin types are classified according to their different sensitivity to sunlight and their external appearance (phenotype). In addition to skin color, differences in eye and hair color are also criteria that are taken into account when defining the skin type. In the classic classification there are four different skin types.
Skin type 1 represents the lightest skin type, skin type 4 the darkest. In more recent classifications, there are also types 5 and 6, which include the darker skin types from Asia and Africa. The different skin types are mainly due to genetic inheritance.
People with darker skin tend to have children with darker skin and light-skinned people are more likely to have light-skinned offspring. The decisive factor for the different skin types is the pigmentation of the skin. The so-called melanin is responsible for this, which is known as the colorant of the skin.
It occurs in two different forms, known as eumelanin and pheomelanin. The mixture and ratio of the two forms determines the color appearance. The eumelanin has more of a black-brown pigment character, while the phaeomelanin has more of a yellowish to reddish character.
Eumelanin predominates in a darker skin color and pheomelanin in light-skinned people. The different skin types determine not only the appearance and reaction to sunlight, but ultimately also the protection against UV radiation. A dark skin color provides much more protection from the radiation than a light skin color. For general information about skin, please see: Skin, dry skin and oily skin
The classic 4 skin types
In this classification of skin types, four subclasses are distinguished. The skin type 1 is also called “Celtic type”. It is characterized by a particularly light skin.
A person with this skin type often has a very light hair color that goes into reddish. He also has many freckles. The eye color is often blue or green.
Only few people in Germany have this skin type. With this skin type it is to be noted that there is an extreme sensitivity to the sun. When exposed to the sun, the skin reddens after a short time and the person concerned develops sunburn.
In most cases, the skin does not tan after sunbathing. The so-called intrinsic protection time of the skin, i.e. the time during which one can stay unprotected in the sun and not suffer skin damage such as sunburn, is less than 10 minutes for people with skin type 1. Skin type 2 is also known as the “Nordic type” and the persons belonging to it as “fair-skinned Europeans”.
As the name suggests, this skin type also has a rather light skin color. The hair is mostly blond. In connection with skin type 2, there are also grey eyes in addition to the well-known green and blue eyes.
The skin of this skin type is sensitive, but not quite as susceptible to UV radiation as skin type 1. Consequently, direct sunlight is tolerated to a small extent, but attention should also be paid to increased sun protection for this skin type, because sunburn occurs quickly. People with skin type 2 are slow to get a tan from the sun.
With skin type 2, the skin’s own protection time is about 10-20 minutes. They ask themselves how they can promote a tan: How do I get a tan (quickly)? skin type 3 is also called “mixed type” and the corresponding people are called “dark skinned Europeans”.
It is characterized by a dark blonde to light brown hair color. The eye color is very different. Some people with this skin type have brown eyes, others have blue or gray eyes.
The majority of Germans can be assigned to this skin type. The original skin color for skin type 3 is a light brown. Due to the sunlight, however, it develops an increasing tan after a short time.
However, people with this skin type can also develop sunburn if they are exposed to the sun for a long time. The skin’s own protection time for this skin type is up to 30 minutes. Skin type 4 is also known as the “Mediterranean type”.
Its hair color is always brown to dark brown. The eyes are usually also brown. Independently of sunbathing, the skin is tanned; an olive skin tone can also appear.People with this skin type rarely tend to sunburn and always develop an increasing tan of skin color due to the sun’s rays. The skin’s own protection time for this skin type is more than 30 minutes, but it is also recommended to apply sunscreen.