What’s Your Skin Type Number? A Guide to the Fitzpatrick Scale

Did you know your skin has a ‘number’? While you may describe your skin as fair, olive or dark, dermatologists use a more precise system: the Fitzpatrick Scale. This classification, created in 19751 by Dr. Thomas B. Fitzpatrick, categorises skin types based on melanin levels and how skin responds to sun exposure. Knowing your number isn’t just a fun fact — it’s can be incredibly helpful for knowing how your skin reacts to the sun, helping you choose skincare and which treatments to get.  

What Is the Fitzpatrick Scale?

The Fitzpatrick Scale identifies six skin types2, ranging from very pale to deeply pigmented. It’s rooted in how your skin behaves in the sun: does it burn, tan or remain unaffected? By answering questions about your skin’s reaction to UV exposure, dermatologists can determine your type.

Why Is the Fitzpatrick Scale Useful?

Dr. Fitzpatrick initially developed this system to fine-tune treatments like phototherapy (light therapy). By understanding how much UV exposure a person's skin could handle, doctors could reduce the risk of side effects like burning or irritation. Over time, the scale became a go-to tool for:

Your Fitzpatrick number helps:

• Assess Sunburn Risk: Lighter skin types burn easily, while darker types tan more readily.
• Evaluate Skin Cancer Risk: Skin types 1 and 2 are more prone to UV damage and skin cancers.
• Guide Treatment Choices: Treatments like lasers or chemical peels can be tailored to your type for safety and effectiveness.

What Are the Six Fitzpatrick Skin Types? 

The Fitzpatrick scale categorises skin into six types, ranging from skin that always burns to skin that never burns. Here’s a quick breakdown:

Fitzpatrick Skin Type 1: Pale and Delicate

• Typical Features: Very fair skin, often freckles, with blue/green eyes and red or blonde hair.
• Tanning Ability: Always burns, never tans.
• What celebrities are Fitzpatrick 1? Nicole Kidman, Emma Stone, Ed Sheeran.
• Risks: Highest risk for sunburn and skin cancer. Use high SPF (50+), avoid peak sun hours, and wear protective clothing.

Fitzpatrick Skin Type 2: Fair with Caution

• Typical Features: Fair skin, light-coloured eyes and blonde or light brown hair.
• Tanning Ability: Burns easily, tans minimally.
• What celebrities are Fitzpatrick 2? Reese Witherspoon, Taylor Swift, Chris Hemsworth.
• Risks: High risk for UV damage. Sunscreen and protective measures are a must.

Fitzpatrick Skin Type 3: Light Brown Balance

• Typical Features: Light to medium brown skin, darker hair and eyes.
• Tanning Ability: Sometimes burns, tans to a light brown.
• What celebrities are Fitzpatrick 3? Jennifer Aniston, Brad Pitt, Megan Fox.
• Risks: Moderate risk of skin cancer. Balanced protection and awareness are key.

Fitzpatrick Skin Type 4: Warm and Resilient

• Typical Features: Olive or medium brown skin, dark hair and eyes.
• Tanning Ability: Rarely burns, tans easily and darkly.
• What celebrities are Fitzpatrick 4? Jennifer Lopez, Dev Patel, John Legend.
• Risks: Lower burn risk but still vulnerable to UV damage over time.

Fitzpatrick Skin Type 5: Naturally Tan

• Typical Features: Brown skin, dark eyes and hair.
• Tanning Ability: Hardly ever burns, tans deeply.
• What celebrities are Fitzpatrick 5? Beyoncé, Halle Berry, Donald Glover.
• Risks: Rarely burns, but prone to hyperpigmentation or uneven tone after skin injuries.

Fitzpatrick Skin Type 6: Deep and Beautifully Rich

• Typical Features: Very dark brown pigmented skin.
• Tanning Ability: Never burns, always tans deeply, least sensitive to UV.
• What celebrities are Fitzpatrick 6? Lupita Nyong’o, Naomi Campbell, Denzel Washington.
• Risks: Lowest risk of burning but can develop sun damage and skin cancer, often in areas not exposed to the sun (e.g., palms, soles).

In general, the lower the skin type number, the more sensitive your skin is to the sun. Higher numbers indicate greater natural protection from UV rays due to increased melanin.

Why Knowing Your Skin Type Matters

For dermatologists and skincare professionals, the Fitzpatrick scale is a handy guide. It helps them customise treatments such as laser hair removal or chemical peels to minimise skin damage, especially in individuals with darker skin tones who may be more prone to depigmentation or burns.

Sun Protection for All Types

Even if you rarely burn, UV damage can accelerate aging and increase skin cancer risk. Here are universal tips for every skin type:

• Apply broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30+ daily.
• Avoid sun exposure between 10am and 4pm3.
• Use hats, sunglasses and protective clothing.

Skin Cancer and the Fitzpatrick Scale — Who is More Prone to Skin Cancer?

Skin cancer affects people of all skin tones, but its presentation varies. While lighter skin types (I and II) are more likely to develop skin cancers from UV exposure, darker skin tones (V and VI) can still be at risk. In fact, people with darker skin often experience later diagnoses of skin cancer, which can lead to worse outcomes. This is due to factors such as:

• Lack of awareness about skin cancer in darker skin tones
• Healthcare disparities
• Skin cancer appearing in less exposed areas (e.g., soles of the feet)

How to Protect Your Skin, Regardless of Type

No matter your Fitzpatrick skin type, protecting your skin from UV damage is crucial. To help reduce your chances of skin cancer, there are a range of precautions you can take. 

1. Apply Sunscreen Daily: Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30, even if your skin rarely burns. You can protect against UVA and UVB with Invity’s Youth Activating Invisible Mineral Sunscreen.
2. Reapply Often: Refresh sunscreen every two hours, especially after swimming or sweating.
3. Cover Up: Wear hats, UV-protective clothing, and sunglasses.
4. Seek Shade: Avoid direct sunlight during peak hours (10am to 4pm).
5. Avoid Tanning Beds: These can increase4 your risk of skin cancer regardless of skin type.

If you notice changes in your skin, such as new spots or sores that won’t heal, do not hesitate to speak to your doctor or a dermatologist. Early detection is key to successful cancer treatment.

Choosing the Right Skincare Treatments

Your skin type determines the safety and effectiveness of certain procedures:

• Laser Treatments: Best suited for types 1–4; types 5–6 may face higher risks of discoloration.
• Chemical Peels: Often customisable for all types, but deeper treatments need care for darker skin.

Preventing Pigmentation Issues

Darker skin types are more prone to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), where scars or injuries leave dark marks. Sunscreen and gentle skincare can help.

Is the Fitzpatrick Scale Outdated?

While useful, the Fitzpatrick scale isn’t perfect. It was initially designed with lighter skin types in mind and darker skin tones (Types V and VI) were added later. Here are some key drawbacks:

1. Limited Options for People of Colour: The scale doesn’t account5 for the wide variety of darker skin tones or mixed-race individuals, which can lead to less accurate assessments.
2. Over-simplification: The scale focuses only on tanning and burning, leaving out other important factors6 like skin irritation or darkening due to UV exposure.
3. Misuse: Some professionals mistakenly use the scale to categorise race7 rather than UV sensitivity, which can result in inadequate skin cancer education for people with darker skin.

Given its limitations, researchers have proposed alternatives to the Fitzpatrick scale, including systems that consider ethnicity, genetics and other factors like scarring or hyperpigmentation. Tools like the Lancer Ethnicity Scale or Roberts Skin Type Classification System help provide more accurate assessments, especially for people of colour.

Finding Your Fitzpatrick Number on the Fitzpatrick Scale

Curious about your type? Dermatologists use detailed questionnaires or you can start with this quick guide:

1. How does your skin react to sun exposure?
2. Do you burn or tan first?
3. What’s your natural skin tone?

Your Fitzpatrick number offers valuable insights into your skin’s needs and risks. It’s not just about looks; it’s about health and protection.

Using the Fitzpatrick Skin Types as a Guide 

The Fitzpatrick scale is a helpful but imperfect tool for understanding your skin’s reaction to the sun. While it plays a key role in medical and cosmetic treatments, it’s essential to remember its limitations — particularly if you have a darker skin tone. Whether you’re getting laser therapy or just planning a beach day, knowing your skin type is a great first step toward healthier, happier skin. Always prioritise sun protection and speak to professionals for personalised advice.

Sources

1. JAMA Dermatology. (1983) Actinic keratosis as a precursor to squamous cell carcinoma. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamadermatology/article-abstract/549509?redirect=true.
2. Bailey, E.E., Marra, D.E. and Goldman, M.P. (2013) Skin cancer and photoaging prevention: The role of sun protection factors (SPF) and daily photoprotection. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 69(3), pp.e31–e38. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3709783/.
3. American Cancer Society. (n.d.) UV protection. https://www.cancer.org/healthy/be-safe-in-sun/uv-protection.html.
4. Martin, C.A., Lopez, M.J., Rahman, Z.A. et al. (2020) Sunscreen myths and facts. StatPearls. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557626/.
5. Butt, N.A. and Harvey, N.T. (2019) Understanding the role of ultraviolet (UV) radiation in melanoma and other skin cancers. Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, 17(7), pp.756–763. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6645720/.
6. Gupta, A., Garcia, G., & Panchaprateep, R. (2022) Comparative analyses of Fitzpatrick Skin Types among racial and ethnic groups. Dermatology Journal, 45(12), pp.567–574. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9060139/.
7. Callender, V.D., Taylor, S.C. and Boswell, W.J. (2020) Racial limitations of the Fitzpatrick skin type classification. MDedge Dermatology. https://www.mdedge.com/dermatology/article/216697/pigmentation-disorders/racial-limitations-fitzpatrick-skin-type.