What is your Skin Type?

The Fitzpatrick Skin Type is a skin classification system first developed in 1975 by Thomas Fitzpatrick, MD, of Harvard Medical School. His skin classifications and its adaptation are familiar to dermatologists.  In order to determine your Fitzpatrick Skin Type, our chart measures two components (genetic disposition and reaction to sun exposure). Types range from the very fair (Type I) to the very dark (Type VI).

It is helpful to become familiar with your particular type of skin classification so you can determine your skins' response to sun exposure.  This along with genetic factors play a role by increasing the likelihood of developing skin cancer with frequent exposure to UV radiation.  Wrinkles, age spots and leathery appearance are all signs of over exposure to UV rays and the cumulative effect over a lifetime results in skin damage or skin cancer. 

How to Determine Your Susceptibility To Skin Cancer by Skin Type

Use the chart below to determine your skin classification, noting the skin's response to sun exposure after a winter of non-exposure to help identify your skin type.  Knowing your skin type will help you to adopt healthy behaviors and avoid blistering sunburns.

Do you know how long it takes before you sustain skin damage?

• Firstly, you need to determine the UV Index rating for the day which shows the intensity of UV radiation for a particular day and location. (See UV Index graphic) 
• Then you will need to identify what particular skin type you have and how easily you burn.  Check the shaded boxes above and determine which category best identifies your burn factor. 
• Find the appropriate UV Index for the day on the Y axis on the bottom and then using the shaded boxes for skin type select your burn frequency type, starting at 'Always' and going up to 'Rarely'. 
• Review the X Axis 'Minutes to Skin Damage' to determine how long you can remain in the sun at your particular UV Index rating before your sustain skin damage.

Most TV stations are now providing the UV Index rating along with their weather reports, or you can visit the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration www.noaa.gov/ for more details.

The US Environmental Protection Agency also provides detailed information for your particular zip code on any given day at www.epa.gov/

We encourage you to find out UV Index rating for your zip code each day and if possible plan activities according to the risk factor that day presents.  Involve your children in this with you and help them to become knowledgeable about the ACS Sun-safety guidelines.  By following these simple rules you can all enjoy the outdoors in a safe and healthy manner.

Ultra Violet Radiation Index

The Ultra Violet Index is a way of detailing the level of UV radiation present in the atmosphere.  It helps us to ascertain those days when the UV radiation is particularly high and when we should limit our time outdoors or take precautions to avoid skin damage.  

We now know that constant exposure to high levels of UV radiation have been linked to the development of Skin Cancer. By increasing awareness about the risk of the cumulative effects of UVA and UVB rays over a lifetime we can hopefully avoid dealing with skin cancer later in life. 

It does not take long (10 minutes) for an individual with a fair-skin type to get sunburned and incur skin damage on a day when the UV rating is at a very high level, 8 - 10.  Persistant over-exposure to the sun's damaging UV rays in early childhood can double an individuals risk for developing skin cancer.

UV rays are strongest between the hours of 10am - 4pm and people are encouraged to follow Sun-safety measures.  The noon hour, when the sun is directly overhead is a particularly dangerous time for incuring a blistering sunburn and skin damage. 

Regardless of the UV Index, the following sun safety measures are always encouraged:

1. Do not burn
2. Avoid Sun Tanning and Tanning Beds
3. Generously apply suncreen to all exposed skin using a SPF 15 or higher, that provides broad-spectrum protection from both UVA and UVB rays.  Re-apply every 2 hours, even on cloudy days and after swimming or sweating.
4. Wear protective clothing, such as a long-sleeved shirt, pants, a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses, where possible.
5. Seek shade when appropriate, remembering that the sun's UV rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
6. Use extra caution near Water, Snow and Sand as they reflect the damaging rays of the sun which can increase your chance of sunburn.
7. Check the UV Index daily for advice on sun protection measures.
8. Get Vitamin D safely through a diet that includes vitamin supplements. Don't seek the sun.

Early detection of Melanoma can save your life.  Carefully examine ALL of your skin once a month.  A new or changing mole should be evaluated by a dermatologist.