Fitzpatrick scale

The Fitzpatrick scale (also Fitzpatrick skin typing test; or Fitzpatrick phototyping scale) is a numerical classification schema for human skin color. It was developed in 1975 by American dermatologist Thomas B. Fitzpatrick as a way to estimate the response of different types of skin to ultraviolet (UV) light. It was initially developed on the basis of skin color to measure the correct dose of UVA for PUVA therapy, and when the initial testing based only on hair and eye color resulted in too high UVA doses for some, it was altered to be based on the patient's reports of how their skin responds to the sun; it was also extended to a wider range of skin types. The Fitzpatrick scale remains a recognized tool for dermatological research into human skin pigmentation.

The following table shows the six categories of the Fitzpatrick scale in relation to the 36 categories of the older von Luschan scale:

von Luschan Fitzpatrick Monk Characteristics
1 I 1 Always burns, never tans (palest; freckles); very light or white, "Celtic" type
2
3
4 2
5
6
7 II 3 Usually burns, tans minimally (light colored but darker than pale); light or light-skinned European
8
9 4
10
11
12
13 5
14 III Sometimes mild burn, tans uniformly (golden honey or olive); light intermediate, or dark-skinned European
15
16 6
17
18
19
20
21 IV 7 Burns minimally, always tans well (moderate brown); dark intermediate or "olive skin"
22
23
24 8
25
26
27
28 V 9 Very rarely burns, tans very easily (dark brown); dark or "brown" type
29
30 10
31
32
33
34
35 VI Never burns (deeply pigmented dark brown to darkest brown); very dark or "black" type
36
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