| Determining Your Skin Type! |
The skin types outlined here are general descriptions and apply to the AVERAGE of each skin type. Other combinations of hair, eye and skin coloration can occur in each skin type. Individuals should exercise caution in determining skin type and the assistance of a dermatologist can be helpful.
There are six skin types categorized by scientists, depicted in the chart below. Skin type 1 burns most easily and skin type 6 rarely burns. In most cases, individuals think they are one skin type darker than they actually are. If your experience in sun exposure has been moderate, this is easy to do! If you determine that you fall between two skin types described, it is always safer to choose the lower value skin type.
| SKIN TYPE DEFINITIONS | SKIN
REACTION (with over exposure to UV) |
COMMENTS ON SKIN TYPE | |
| 1 | Typically: Red-blond hair. Blue-green eyes, very light skin. | Mostly burns, does not tan | Will often comment that they "Can never get a real tan." As teenagers, they sometimes resort to burning and waiting a day for the pigmentation to create the "illusion" of a tan, sometimes mixed with freckles. |
| 2 | Typically: Light to medium hair, light to medium eyes, light to medium skin. | Usually burns, seldom tans. | Should be the first consideration in typing the average light skin (aside from obvious skin type 1). Most skin type 2 individuals will say that "They tan if they are careful the first few times out". The light burning or pinking of 1 erythemal dose will pigment to a "tan effect" by evening on a skin type 2, giving the impression of a tan. They often do not recognize the pinking as a burn, hence, the dermatological definition always burns, seldom tans. |
| 3 | Typically: Medium hair, medium to dark eyes, medium to olive skin. | Moderately burns, usually tans. | Usually does not recognize that they burn moderately if exposure is moderate. A skin type 3 will comment that they "Can get a good tan with care." |
| 4 | Typically: Dark hair, dark eyes, dark olive to light brown skin. | Burns mildly, moderate brown. | Usually considers themselves to tan easily and with "moderate" exposure in northern climates, will not experience a burn very often. Skin type 4 is usually suprised when they get a "little sunburn" while visiting higher intensity locations. |
| 5 | Typically: Dark hair, dark eyes, dark skin. | Seldom burns, dark brown. | Seldom experiences a burn. This experience usually will occur after having no previous exposure for many months, then being exposed to very high intensity levels (100+ on the SUNSOR Scale). |
| 6 | Typically: Dark hair, dark eyes, very dark skin. | Insensitive, does not burn. | Individuals have very good pigmentation that affords exceptional protection in ultraviolet light. |
