Developed in 1975 by Dr. Thomas B. Fitzpatrick at Harvard Medical School, the Fitzpatrick Skin Phototype Scale remains the scientific gold standard used by dermatologists worldwide to classify how human skin reacts to ultraviolet radiation and to calculate genetic vulnerability to skin cancer.
The 6 Fitzpatrick Skin Types Breakdown
Type I (Pale White / Ivory)
Always burns painfully, blisters easily, and never tans. Individuals typically have light blue or gray eyes, red or light blonde hair, and numerous freckles. Extremely high lifetime melanoma risk.
Type II (Fair / White)
Burns easily and severely with minimal sun exposure, tans minimally and with great difficulty. Frequently has blue, green, or hazel eyes and blonde or light brown hair. Very high skin cancer risk.
Type III (Medium / Cream White to Light Olive)
Burns moderately initially, then tans gradually to a light golden brown. Often hazel or brown eyes and dark blonde or brown hair. Moderate melanoma and non-melanoma risk.
Type IV (Olive / Mediterranean / Hispanic / Asian)
Burns minimally, tans easily and deeply into a rich olive brown. Dark brown hair and dark eyes. Moderate-to-low burn risk; prone to hyperpigmentation and melasma.
Type V (Brown / Middle Eastern / South Asian / African Descent)
Very rarely burns, tans profusely and rapidly into a dark brown shade. Dark brown to black hair and dark eyes. Prone to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation; melanoma often presents late on palms and soles.
Type VI (Deeply Pigmented / Dark Brown to Black)
Never burns under standard solar exposure, deeply pigmented natural eumelanin. Black hair and dark eyes. Vulnerable to Acral Lentiginous Melanoma on unexposed nail beds and soles.
Want to calculate your exact phototype? Take our interactive Fitzpatrick Skin Type Quiz.
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Anna Brown, MSc
Lead Clinical WriterAnna is a medical health writer specializing in cutaneous oncology, dermoscopy, and AI dermatology. Her guides are verified against WHO, AAD, and peer-reviewed clinical literature.
View All 21 Articles by Anna Brown →Scientific References & Clinical Studies
- The Validity and Practicality of Sun-Reactive Skin Types I Through VI — Archives of Dermatology
- Melanin Pigmentation and Protection Against UV Photodamage — Photochemistry and Photobiology (Wiley)
