Know your skin type
Fitzpatrick Skin Type
Fitzpatrick Skin Type
The Fitzpatrick skin phototype is a commonly used system to describe a person’s skin type in terms of response to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure. It was developed in 1975 by American dermatologist Thomas B. Fitzpatrick. It can be used as an assessment tool in terms of recommendations for sunbed use and general sun exposure.
We often think that we know what’s going on with our own skin – whether we perceive that we “don’t burn” or perhaps that our skin is so sensitive that we shouldn’t have any sun exposure at all. We’ve all done it, of course…spending all day by the pool…or taking too many minutes on the sunbed, assuming that our skin will be fine.
At the other end of the spectrum, not getting enough sun exposure can have equally undesirable consequences – impacting our Vitamin D production and “feel good” hormone production. Lack of sunlight in our day to day lives, especially in the morning, can also affect our circadian rhythm.
Scoring our skin according to the tables below can offer a more accurate assessment of our skin type and provide assistance with knowing more confidently how our skin might cope with varing levels of UV exposure.
The Fitzpatrick Skin Type Chart information below is an invaluable resource when it comes to skin health. Check out your score!
What is your Fitzpatrick Skin Type score?
Score = genetic + sensitivity + intentional exposure = skin type
Next Steps
Now that you have more information about your particular skin type and how you might tan, you can choose to find out about our UV tanning beds or consider a spray tan as an alternative.