The Fitzpatrick Skin Type Scale is often used to identify your skin type. The Fitzpatrick Scale categorizes your skin type from very fair (skin type I) to very dark (skin type VI). The two main factors that influence skin type are:
• Genetic disposition
• Reaction to sun exposure and tanning habits
Skin type is determined genetically and is one of the many aspects of your overall appearance, which also includes color of eyes, hair, etc.. The way your skin reacts to sun exposure is another important factor in correctly assessing your skin type. Recent tanning (sun bathing, artificial tanning or tanning creams) have a major impact on the evaluation of your skin color.
Simply answer each question on the charts below, total your scores, then refer to the final chart to find out your Skin Type Score.
Click here for a printer friendly version of the Skin Test.
Genetic Disposition
|
| Score |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
| What are the color of your eyes? |
Light blue, Gray, Green |
Blue, Gray or Green |
Blue |
Dark Brown |
Brownish Black |
| What is the natural color of your hair? |
Sandy Red |
Blond |
Chestnut/Dark Blond |
Dark Brown |
Black |
| What is the color of your skin (non exposed areas)? |
Reddish |
Very Pale |
Pale with Beige tint |
Light Brown |
Dark Brown |
| Do you have freckles on unexposed areas? |
Many |
Several |
Few |
Incidental |
none |
Total score for Genetic Disposition: _____
|
Reaction to Sun Exposure
|
| Score |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
| What happens when you stay in the sun too long? |
Painful redness, blistering, peeling |
Blistering followed by peeling |
Burns sometimes followed by peeling |
Rare burns |
Never had burns |
| To What degree do you turn brown? |
Hardly or not at all |
Light color tan |
Reasonable tan |
Tan very easy |
Turn dark brown quickly |
| Do you turn brown within several hours after sun exposure? |
Never |
Seldom |
Sometimes |
Often |
Always |
| How does your face react to the sun? |
Very sensitive |
Sensitive |
Normal |
Very resistant |
Never had a problem |
Total score for Reaction to Sun Exposure: _____
|
Tanning Habits
|
| Score |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
| When did you last expose your body to sun (or artificial sunlamp/tanning cream)? |
More than 3 months ago |
2-3 months ago |
1-2 months ago |
Less than a month ago |
Less than 2 weeks ago |
| Did you expose the area to be treated to the sun? |
Never |
Hardly ever |
Sometimes |
Often |
Always |
Total score for Tanning Habits: _____
|
Add up the total scores for each of the three sections for your Skin Type Score.
Skin Type Score
|
Fitzpatrick Skin Type
|
| 0-7 |
I |
| 8-16 |
II |
| 17-25 |
III |
| 25-30 |
IV |
| over 30 |
V-VI |
|
