The Fitzpatrick Skin Type Scale is a popular skin typing system used by dermatologists, estheticians, and scientists. You may not have heard of it because it isn’t marketed to consumers. However, it’s worth my calling your attention to it.
The Fitzpatrick Scale measures skin’s tendency to tan or burn. There are 6 Skin Types. You can read more about it in the Skin Type Overview.
What you need to know is this:
Anyone with skin of color or darker skin tones, including Asian, Black, Hispanic, Mediterranean Caucasian, Middle Eastern, Indian, Native American, and Mixed Race skin:
- You have a high risk of hyperpigmentation (spots, dark patches, discolorations) from the sun.
- You are especially vulnerable to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (on a healing pimple, a scar, after a lightening treatment, or on an area that was irritated or inflamed).
- You also have a high risk of scarring.
Therefore, you need to be extra careful about protecting your skin when there’s trauma to the skin and when you’re out in the sun.
Take a look at the Fitzpatrick Skin Type Chart to see where you fit in.
